Forest Stewardship Council - Eastern Africa’s Post

I learnt a great deal working with RECOFTC, specifically Nathalie Faure, Giacomo Pontara, on this report. My learning highlights are not only in the clear progress in the development of #communityforestry in the region, but also the importance of regulations such as #EUDR to address trade in forest risk commodities, but also the risks that such regulations pose to #smallholders in Southeast Asia. Despite the progress, there is clearly much still to be done!

After six impactful years, the Forestry and Value Chains Development (FORVAC) Programme in Tanzania has successfully concluded. Delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of Tanzania, FORVAC benefited an estimated 330,000 individuals across 128 villages by advancing sustainable forest management and value chain development. Key outcomes include: • 460,518 hectares of forest under sustainable community management • Deforestation rates reduced sevenfold in managed forests • €4M+ generated through sustainable timber enterprises We are proud of these achievements and remain dedicated to driving impactful, community-focused initiatives. Learn more about #FORVAC: https://lnkd.in/ezJxxARM Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland #SustainableForestry #CommunityDevelopment #Tanzania

🌟 Recap from the FSC Global Staff Meeting! 🌍 Earlier today, Peter O. Alele, Ph.D. ,Michele Gonzalez-Mendia,Anand Punja,@RichardFergusson led an inspiring session on "Operationalizing Strategic Partnerships & Engagement to scale out FSC in Africa" at the FSC Global Staff Meeting. FSC recently formalized strategic partnerships with institutions like the Global Alliance and WWF. These collaborations are unlocking amazing opportunities for impactful change in Africa's forestry sector. Key Highlights from the session : Dr. Alele emphasized the critical role of strategic partnerships in expanding FSC's presence and impact across Africa. Discussions centered around innovative strategies for engaging with stakeholders and scaling out FSC certification in the region. The session explored tangible actions to leverage these partnerships for promoting sustainable forestry practices and conservation efforts. Dr. Alele shared insights into the specific initiatives and projects facilitated by FSC's partnerships, highlighting their potential to drive positive change at scale. #FSCGlobalStaffMeeting #StrategicPartnerships #ForestsForAllForever#

🌳Our latest report, 'Assessment of forest governance in six Asian countries', evaluates forest governance practices in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam from 2018–2023. 📈 It reveals significant improvements in legal frameworks and community forestry programs, but also highlights ongoing challenges in implementation and enforcement. 💡The report offers actionable recommendations to enhance forest governance, aiming for sustainable and equitable development. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gyhZwmpw #ForestGovernance #IUFRO2024

"The FSC check mark is more than just a symbol—it’s a testament to responsible forestry. It guarantees that the products you use come from forests that are managed sustainably, ensuring a positive impact on the environment, local communities, and economies. In Africa alone, FSC has certified over 10 million hectares of forest, a clear commitment to responsible stewardship. By embracing this standard, Ethiopia is aligning with a global movement that proves sustainability and development can go hand in hand." – Dr. Kibruyisfa Sisay, REDD+ Investment Programme Coordinator #FSC #Sustainability #ForestManagement #Ethiopia #IFSSLaunch

Advancing Responsible Forestry in Liberia 🌿 FSC’s recent multi-stakeholder workshop in Liberia was a significant step towards sustainable forest management. With 28 participants, the workshop focused on FSC solutions for smallholders, the Draft Interim Forest Stewardship Standard for Liberia, and the EUDR’s implications. https://lnkd.in/deZwBBXd #SustainableForestry #FSC #Liberia

📢𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐑: There will be a one-year delay in the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Additional outcomes were also agreed yesterday. 📢𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) remains a staunch supporter of the EUDR’s ambition to create deforestation-free supply chains, in Europe and globally. We urge stakeholders to take the tangible steps already available and continue advancing forest stewardship together. To encourage progress during this time, FSC provides four recommendations. ➡️Read more: https://lnkd.in/dfUzwRNf #EUDR #responsibleforestry #FSCAsiaPacific #responsiblesourcing

Every year on May 25th, we commemorate Africa Day. It’s a day to come together and celebrate Africa’s diversity and unity, but it's also a call to action. Africa Day is a reminder that we have the power to create positive change in our communities and around the world. 🌏 One Tree Planted's focus across Africa is to rebuild animal habitats, restore soil and critical watersheds, and improve the lives of the communities that rely on the forests the most. Our planting partners promote agroforestry and educate farmers on the benefits of improved forestry practices, providing communities with sustainable sources of food, wood, and income. We have the power to make a lasting impact in Africa. 🌱 https://lnkd.in/e38j52Ys

🌳 Strengthening Forest Management and Community Empowerment 🌳 As part of FORCLIME, I’m excited to bear a part to the article on Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan’s (KLHK) efforts to draft regulations for the National Forest Inventory (Inventarisasi Hutan Nasional – IHN 2.0). This initiative is a significant step forward in modernizing forest data collection, incorporating not just timber resources but also carbon stocks, non-timber forest products, and socio-economic factors. IHN 2.0’s innovative framework reflects KLHK’s commitment to improving sustainable forest management. Beyond this, the newsletter also highlights impactful stories across the country, such as: 🌱 Perhutanan Sosial in Papua: Showcasing how social forestry programs are bridging conservation and community livelihoods, empowering indigenous communities to play an active role in sustainable forest management. 🌿 Tahura Sulteng Public Review: A glimpse into collaborative planning for the long-term management of Central Sulawesi’s conservation areas, incorporating community voices and gender-responsive strategies. 🛠️ Pokja PPS in Papua Barat Daya: The collaborative efforts of multi-stakeholder working groups in advancing social forestry plans for 2025. These stories are a game-changer for sustainable resource management. The transition from a national-scale inventory to a decentralized provincial approach reflects KLHK's commitment to empowering regional governance while ensuring alignment with national objectives. It's inspiring to see KLHK, supported by initiatives like FORCLIME, taking bold steps to enhance forest management and meet the growing demands of modern forestry practices. It’s inspiring to be part of this journey toward a greener and more inclusive future for Indonesia! 🌱

In line with the Benefit Sharing Plan for the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme, the REDD+ Secretariat is convening a meeting with the HIA Implementation Committee(HIC) which comprises (the HIA Management Board (HMB), Private Sector Actors, Government Agencies and CSOs/NGOs) on 1st August, 2024 at the Forestry Commission HQ Auditorium at 10:00am to discuss the disbursement of the second carbon payment to beneficiaries based on their performance within the monitoring years, 2020/2021 #climateaction #emissionsreduction #carbon #carbonpayment #cocoafarmers