South–South Knowledge Exchange on Community-based Forestry: From West Africa to the World
Date: 26 – 29 May 2025
Location: Praia, Cabo Verde
Organized by: FAO in collaboration with ECOWAS and Sida
Overview
Across West Africa, local communities are at the forefront of sustainable forest management. From restoring degraded landscapes to strengthening forest governance, they are building practical solutions to climate change, biodiversity loss and rural poverty.
The South–South Knowledge Exchange on Community-based Forestry brings these stories of innovation and impact to a global stage. The event will foster peer-to-peer learning among countries in the Global South - facilitating the exchange of experiences, lessons learned, and tested practices in community-based forest management.
This knowledge exchange is part of the FAO-led initiative “Global Transformation of Forests for People and Climate: a focus on West Africa,” supported by Sida.
Objectives
- Facilitate learning across regions: Share practical experiences in establishing and managing community forests in West Africa and beyond.
- Showcase local innovation: Highlight how communities are combining traditional knowledge with new techniques to manage forests sustainably.
- Inspire global action: Build new partnerships and identify pathways to scale up community-based forestry through South–South collaboration.
What to expect
- High-level opening session with representatives from FAO, ECOWAS, Governments, and community leaders.
- Interactive country poster sessions with representatives from 15 West African countries.
- Rotating discussion groups to foster dialogue, learning and problem-solving.
- A storytelling journey through community videos and first-hand testimonies.
- Reflections and planning sessions to build a roadmap for cross-regional collaboration.
Why it matters
Community-based forestry is a powerful approach for restoring landscapes, improving livelihoods, and strengthening governance. But every region faces its own unique challenges – and has its own solutions.
By connecting practitioners across Africa, Asia and Latin America, this knowledge exchange aims to bridge those gaps. It offers a space to learn, adapt and collaborate—so that successful models can travel, scale, and grow.
Contacts:
Maria RuizVillar
FAO Forestry Division
Maryia Kukharava
FAO Forestry Division