Focal Areas

We aim to influence forest policy and practice by encouraging or leading on activities associated with the six inter-related focal areas below. These focal areas represent broad categories of work that have been identified as priorities for most members. They are not applicable to all members at all times as Model Forest stakeholders decide on programs of work based on local context.

Our work also directly contributes to implementation of a number of globally and regionally significant commitments, such as the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Paris Agreement and the APEC Sydney Declaration.

1. Poverty Alleviation, Livelihoods and Food Security
2. Forest Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation
3. Water Security
4. Landscape Governance
5. Climate Change
6. Gender Equity and Equality

We strive to impact these areas through:

Capacity Building & Advocacy

The success of Model Forests involves effective landscape planning to ensure that development interventions contribute to stakeholder needs and values. To ensure those needs are met, stakeholders must be involved in the process. Yet people do not always know how best they can contribute in a meaningful way. Participation requires a range of skills, tools and techniques, processes and capacities for stakeholders to adequately perform their roles. We want to continue to build engagement capacity at the local, regional and national levels to enable greater benefits from Model Forest participation.

Some of our past and planned capacity building has focused on the following:

• Multi-stakeholder processes;
• Forest based small scale enterprise and marketing development;
• Participatory forest assessment, monitoring and evaluation system;
• Alternative livelihood development;
• Model Forest organization management and administration;
• Resource mobilization.

Networking and Knowledge Sharing

We aim to act as an information hub and play an active role in facilitating networking among participating countries, national and regional agencies, and internationally by promoting knowledge sharing through online tools, participating in meetings and events and seeking joint research, publishing and project opportunities with partner organizations.

Examples of activities we undertake with respect to networking and knowledge sharing include:

• Promoting knowledge sharing and up to date information on the sustainable management of forests and natural resources to stakeholders and partners;
• Providing opportunities through workshops, forums, meetings and other communication means for the exchange and sharing of experiences among participating members with like-minded agencies;
• Facilitating processes for developing joint programs among participating members on common interests such as climate change and forest landscape restoration.

Policy Influence & Promotion of the Landscape Approach

Increasing awareness is an effective way to encourage the application of an integrated approach to managing landscapes both within and beyond the Model Forest boundaries. Bridging the theory and practice of the participatory governance models required to manage at a landscape scale crucial. We will therefore advocate, demonstrate and promote the Model Forest approach at the local, national and regional levels as a means for raising awareness of the importance of good governance, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, as well as how to actually implement it. Through strategic and targeted outreach we will strive to develop an understanding of the Model Forest approach among policy makers, practitioners, and partners to broaden application of participatory governance and influence policy.

Research, Technology Transfer and Innovation

In a Model Forest, research partners may undertake studies on the biophysical aspects of forests and the surrounding environment, but equally important is an understanding of the social side of sustainability. Model Forests offer stakeholders a chance to learn by doing and then act based on their own capabilities (learning by doing or adaptive management). The more knowledge that is generated, the more capacity is built and practical processes emerge.

We will continue to play a coordination role to inspire research and compile information from ongoing studies in Model Forests in Asia. We will also commit to sharing results freely with members and supporters in order to “speed up” sustainability processes elsewhere.