Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism
Background
At the heart of restoration are local communities, custodians of traditional and ecological knowledge who sustain their landscapes and livelihoods. However, they often face challenges in accessing the technical, financial, and operational support needed to translate this knowledge into effective ecosystem restoration activities or to access financial mechanisms.
To address these challenges, Initiative 3 of the Capacity, Knowledge and Learning Action Plan for the Decade (CKLAP) aims to establish a community-based ecosystem restoration mechanism that strengthens technical, financial, and functional capacities. It contributes to building community capacity and promoting knowledge sharing in planning, budgeting, implementing, and monitoring restoration activities, helping communities scale up their efforts and align with broader restoration policies and financing opportunities.
Key Priorities
In 2024, members of CKLAP Initiative 3 jointly developed the 2024–2025 workplan to guide implementation. Collaborating organizations included FAO, Rewilding Academy, Forestoration International, Mother Trees, Wetlands International, ILC, Global Shea Alliance, We4All, Kenya Ecosystem Restoration Alliance (KERA), Worldview International Foundation, Bloom, Rainforest Alliance, Groundswell International, Earthed, RECOFTC, and UNU-CRIS.
The 2024–2025 workplan focuses on strengthening communities’ financial capacity and access through three priority activities:
- Activity 1. Identify champion-communities that have experience of establishing and managing restoration-related self sustaining income generating activities
Activity 2. Community-targeted knowledge exchange about establishing and managing restoration-related self-sustaining income generating activities
Activity 3. Establish an online forum for community ecosystem restoration and self-sustaining income generating activities
Progress and Achievements
Activity 1: Selection of Champion Communities
A key priority activity of the workplan was to identify champion communities with proven experience in establishing and managing long-term, sustainable, restoration-related income-generating activities. The communities were selected for their ability to share experiences and lessons learned, promote transparency and equality, and inspire others in future community-focused activities and knowledge exchanges.
Following a comprehensive and inclusive selection process, nine champion communities were chosen from 53 submissions. The process culminated in a webinar on 18 September 2025, where the nine champion communities were officially announced. The event brought together 210 participants from around the world to learn directly from these champions, strengthening global commitment to ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihoods.
Watch the launch webinar (18 September 2025):
English | French | Portuguese | Hindi
Meet the Nine Champions
Discover how these communities are advancing restoration through governance, transparency, equality, and innovative livelihood strategies. Their good practices are shared on the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM), the official UN Decade platform for tracking restoration initiatives and disseminating good practices.
Barakutuni Gram Sabha, Odisha, India: Community-Led Forest Conservation and Diversion-Based Irrigation system (DBI) for Sustainable Livelihoods and Income Generation in Odisha, India
N'thyla community in the Ouolodo commune in the Koulikoro Region, Mali: Empowering women in rural Mali through improved forest access and enterprises
Fédération Nationale des Productrices et producteurs d’amandes et de beurre de Karité du Bénin (FNPK-Bénin): Agriculture durable et valorisation des ressources forestières non ligneuses pour une gestion écoresponsable et inclusive
Hargila Army, located north and south of the Brahmaputra River, India: Empowering Communities through Weaving, Sustainable Agriculture, and Agroforestry: Enhancing Livelihoods and Consevation
Rede de Sementes do Xingu (Xingu Seed Network), Xingu, Araguaia, and Teles Pires river basins in Mato Grosso, Brazil: The 'Muvuca' direct seeding restoration method
Community of Kaffrine, Senegal: Ecosystem Restoration with Agroforestry through Savings Clubs
Native Grass Seeds Initiative, Rajasthan, India: Seeding Resilient Pastures and Livelihoods: Native Grass Seeds Initiative in Rajasthan, India
Kalahandi Gram Sabha Mahasangh (KGSM), India: Sustainable Forest Resource Management for Improved Livelihoods of Indigenous Communities in Kalahahandi, Odisha
Rwoho Indigenous and Local communities, Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN) in Uganda: Restoration and Conservation Project in the the Rwoho Forest Reserve of Uganda
Get Involved
The next phase (2025–2026) will focus on Activity 2: community-targeted knowledge exchanges.
This activity will strengthen communities’ capacities to establish and manage restoration-related, self-sustaining, income-generating activities through online and in-person exchanges, including webinars, workshops, and events.
You can contribute by:
- Exploring the champions’ good practices and sharing their success stories to raise awareness.
- Disseminating knowledge exchange opportunities through your networks.
- Supporting local or global platforms that promote ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihoods.
- Advocating for policies that fund and foster community-led ecosystem restoration.
- Collaborating with CKLAP Initiative 3 by joining future exchanges or related activities.
🤝 To join, learn more, or support these efforts, contact the Initiative 3 focal points: