On September 27, 2024, Canada announced an investment of over Can$20 million in support of initiatives that advance sustainable forest policy by sharing expertise and forest stewardship assistance globally. Through Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program and International Model Forest Network, these investments will include support for forest-related actions that contribute to global climate and biodiversity goals, including as they relate to sustainable forest management, the bioeconomy, wildland fire management; and decreasing market barriers for sustainable forest products.
Mixed boreal in fall. Hamilton, Canada
Sourced from Budget 2023, this investment of Can$1,658,500 for 10 projects under Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program through the IMFN Governance initiative supports activities that will help advance international forest policy, including on climate, biodiversity, sustainable forest management, the bioeconomy, and wildland fire management, and strengthening partnerships with like-minded organizations and countries by sharing expertise and forest stewardship assistance.
Below is a list of the 10 projects funded to date through the IMFN Governance initiative as part of the announcement:
Project: Northern Europe Regional Network – Oborniki Model Forest
Recipient: Lasy Panstwowe Nadlesnictwo Oborniki – Oborniki Forest District
Location: Dabrówka Lesna, Poland
Funding: Can$50,700
Description: Under this project, the organization will strengthen local and regional collaboration on knowledge exchange between model forests of the Northern Europe. The organization will also create space for local dialogue to assess implementation the current Oborniki Model Forest strategic plan and its renewal while amplifying local voices through both events and video production.
Project: Canadian Model Forest Network – Prince Albert Model Forest
Recipient: Prince Albert Model Forest Association Inc.
Location: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Funding: Can$60,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will participate in the Water -Energy -Food -Forest (WEFF) Nexus Forum, and under this new approach of natural resource management will evaluate sustainable forest management and policy implications for the Prince Albert Model Forest region. The organization will also increase collaboration between Canadian and Latin American model forests in Chile and Guatemala to promote the model forest approach and the International Model Forest Network.
Project: Northern Europe Regional Network – River Helge – River Helge Å Model Forest
Recipient: Helge Å Model Forest Ideell Forening
Location: National (Sweden) via Dalby, Sweden
Funding: Can$30,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will document and promote model forest experiences in Sweden. The organization will also exchange experiences with Northern European Model Forests to raise awareness of international forest policy trends and promote forest management approaches that respond to changing expectations in the international marketplace.
Project: Canadian Model Forest Network – Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada – FY2023/2024
Recipient: Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC)
Location: National (Canada) via Mattawa, Ontario
Funding: Can$98,900
Description: Under this project, the organization will generate knowledge-sharing opportunities and develop educational and outreach resources, with a focus on best practices in sustainable forest management. The organization will also provide leadership in bringing together Model Forests in Canada, to offer an avenue for sharing knowledge and best practices in sustainable forest management on a pan-Canadian scale.
Project: Eastern Ontario Model Forest – Ontario Woodlot Association
Recipient: Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA)
Location: Global via Kemptville, Ontario
Funding:Can$400,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will plan and deliver the 2025 International Model Forest Network (IMFN) global forum and assembly at suitable venues and field sites within the Greater Ottawa Region’s Eastern Ontario Model Forest. The organization will also enable extensive and diverse communications opportunities before, during and after the delivery of the forum and assembly.
Project: Canadian Model Forest Network – Fundy Model Forest
Recipient: Fundy Model Forest Inc.
Location: Lower Cove, New Brunswick
Funding: Can$120,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will strengthen governance, partnership and collaboration in the Acadian Forest Region, addressing climate change and sustainable forest management. The organization will also develop workshops and conferences while refreshing their website and social media presence to promote the Model Forest approach to sustainable natural resources management.
Project: Canadian Model Forest Network – Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada FY2024-2025
Recipient: Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF/IFC)
Location: Canada (national) via Mattawa, Ontario
Funding: Can$200,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will share knowledge and best practices in sustainable forest management through the Model Forest approach and Canada’s Model Forests. The organization will also create awareness regarding Model Forests to audiences beyond the forest and natural resource sectors.
Project: Northern Europe Model Forest Network – European Forest Institute
Recipient: European Forest Institute (EFI)
Location: European & Scandinavian regions via Joensuu, Finland
Funding: Can$98,900
Description: Under this project, the organization will foster policy and program collaboration on integrated forest management between the International Model Forest Network in Canada, the Model Forests of Northern Europe and the Proponent’s ongoing Integrate Network’s activities in Europe. The organization will also use exchange mechanisms, alignment of common networking platforms, workshops, and scoping activities to highlight approaches to integrate both management and biodiversity protection objectives in sustainable forest management strategies and practices.
Project: Secrétariat du Réseau africain de Forêts Modèles (SRAFM)
Recipient: Réseau africain de forêts modèles
Location: Africa region via Yaoundé, Cameroon
Funding: Can$100,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will revitalize the governance basis of the African Model Forest Network through networking and lessons learned development, communication, resource mobilization and through active regional extensions in other African countries. The organization will also promote eco-agriculture, with a focus on the use of biofertilizers to stimulate the green social economy of local communities.
Project: Mediterranean Model Forest Network Secretariat
Recipient: Regione Toscana
Location: Mediterranean region via Italy
Funding: Can$500,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will provide support for Mediterranean Model Forest members to participate in a series of international meetings with forestry as the main theme. The organization will also increase collaboration between official development assistance (ODA) eligible and non-ODA Model Forest countries through discussions of innovative forest approaches and future regional initiatives.
Learn more
- Canada supports a sustainable future through $20 million investment to advance sustainable forests internationally (Canada.ca – News release)
- Canada supports a sustainable future through $20 million investment to advance sustainable forests internationally. (Canada.ca – Backgrounder information)
- Canada and the International Model Forest Network
- Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program
