This work analyses institutional frameworks that determine the use, management and conservation of two afromontane rain forests, namely Koma Forest (Kaffa Zone, Southern Region) and Kankicho Forest (Bale Zone, Oromiya Region). The research focuses on the actual situation on the local level, the actors involved in the action arena and the specific institutional framework that impact on their interactions and behaviour. This approach reflects current processes of decentralisation and local 'participation' in Ethiopia. Diverse historic and present interventions of the state and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as the heterogeneity of the local communities are identified and analysed as exogenous variables. In this context, relevant institutions are understood as the rules and regulations that determine who of the local peasants enjoys which use rights to particular forest resources in which forest plot to what extent. Data collection was undertaken between May 2003 and March 2006 by means of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, including, amongst others, open interviews with 160 key informants.Ethiopia is known as the home country of the Coffea arabica gene-pool (Coffea arabica rubiacaeae). Until the present, both forests under investigation comprise naturally regenerating 'wild' populations of Coffea arabica in a unique genetic variability. Traditionally, the local peasants use this resource as a cash crop or for own consumption. In this work, Coffea arabica is considered as the flag-ship forest resource. However, the coffee forests are gradually depleted and destroyed, particularly due to use demands of local peasants.