Making it work: Enabling conditions for successful community-based tropical landscape restoration

The International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF) and RECOFTC are hosting a side event at the World Forestry Congress to explore the enabling environment for effectively engaging local communities in landscape restoration. Perspectives of farmers and local communities will be highlighted alongside those of government policymakers, the private sector and young forestry practitioners. The goal is to identify and learn about the elements that enable successful community-based landscapes.

Ecological restoration cannot succeed without the engagement and support of local people. National restoration programs, however, fail to put into place policies, strategies and support systems that effectively address the real needs of local people. Effective programs recognize the needs of local communities and match these with policies and government support. Tenure security, livelihood incentives, and market access are examples of elements that make restoration programs engaging for communities.

The session will give an overview of tropical landscape restoration and its current situation globally. A discussion about enabling conditions for effective restoration practice will follow, and in the end, practical ways to access both financial and other resources will be identified.

Moderator

• Ronnakorn Triraganon, Senior Strategic Advisor at RECOFTC

Panel

• Representative from the International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF)
• Deborah Sue, Research Director at Forest Ministry in Fiji
• Christine, Local Coordinator of ANR project in Philippines
• Paula Sarigumba, Program Lead for Nature-Based Solutions at Veritree