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.
Following Canada’s announcement at the COP15 (Conference of the Parties), the announcement made on September 27, 2024, identifies Can$16,743,923 for 15 climate finance projects, delivered through the International Model Forest Network’s IMFN Climate initiative in developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. This investment will support efforts to scale up forest and landscape restoration, which is an essential component to climate mitigation and adaptation. Projects will enable inclusive landscape governance and equip the next generation of forest leaders to address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Below is a list of the 15 projects to date funded through the IMFN Climate initiative as part of the announcement:
Project: International Model Forest Network – Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Recipient: Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Location: Global via Bogor, Indonesia
Funding: Can$2,000,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will harvest lessons learned on sustainable forest management (SFM) and mainstream the model forest approach into formal and informal curriculum design. The organization will also cultivate leadership in forestry students, practitioners and young professionals through landscape-level leadership and amplifying local and regional voices in global discourse.
Project: Latin American Model Forest Network – EcoAgriculture International Inc. (EcoAg)
Recipient: EcoAgriculture International Inc. (EcoAg)
Location: Latin America region via Oakton, United States
Funding: Can$1,403,637
Description: Under this project the organization will strengthen leaders’ capacities to improve forest landscape resilience through the practice of inclusive integrated landscape management and integrated landscape finance in Latin America. The organization will also collaborate with forest leaders in Model Forest networks to facilitate knowledge and information sharing.
Project: International Model Forest Network – International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
Recipient: International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
Location: Global via Gland, Switzerland
Funding: Can$1,499,658
Description: Under this project, the organization will enhance Model Forest experiences and impacts on restoration target-setting, planning, delivery and monitoring. The organization will also enhance visibility and amplify restoration impact through expertise sharing and ramping up the visibility of these efforts.
Project: Latin American Model Forest Network – World Resources Institute
Recipient: World Resources Institute (WRI)
Location: Latin America region via Washington, DC, United States
Funding: Can$1,328,800
Description: Under this project, the organization will increase the capacity of monitoring and track impacts of forest landscape restoration (FLR)-policies and activities to achieve international commitments of Latin American countries, under a gender and sensitive inclusive approach. The organization will also provide technical assistance and training in geospatial data and geographic information systems (GIS) to improve monitoring and reporting.
Project: Risaralda Model Forest – Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira
Recipient: Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira (UTP)
Location: Pereira, Colombia
Funding: Can$300,000
Description: Under this project the organization will strengthen the restoration, governance, leadership, and inclusion in degraded landscapes, and communities in the Risaralda Model Forest area. The organization will also facilitate participation in citizen science, landscape restoration and sustainable natural resources management activities, as well as knowledge exchange and development.
Project: Mediterranean Model Forest Network – Associazione Foresta Modello delle Montagne Fiorentine
Recipient: Associazione Foresta Modello delle Montagne Fiorentine (AFMMF)
Location: Mediterranean region via Londa, Italy
Funding: Can$250,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will implement forest landscape restoration (FLR) activities in the Model Forests of Morocco and other official development assistance eligible countries in the Mediterranean basin. The organization will also promote environmental education and knowledge exchange in implementing best management practices in landscape restoration and governance, working with accessibility, inclusion and digital education.
Project: Latin American Model Forest Network – Fundación para la Conservación del Bosque Chiquitano
Recipient: Fundación para la Conservación del Bosque Chiquitano (FCBC)
Location: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Funding: Can$600,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will increase the capacities of indigenous women in forest landscape management of the Chiquitano Model Forest. The organization will also advance the sustainable use of agro-biodiversity to improve social-ecological resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Project: African Model Forest Network – Université Laval
Recipient: Université Laval
Location: Africa region via Quebec City, Quebec
Funding: Can$3,000,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will build the capacity of young Africans, particularly women, by training highly qualified individuals in forest landscape restoration and working with local African collaborating researchers to conduct research in the field of sustainable forest management and global forest governance. The organization will also develop and consolidate sustainable partnerships between model forests, universities and research centers in Canada and Africa, while promoting Canada’s leadership in the forest sector at national and international forums and conferences.
Project: Regional Model Forest Network Asia– Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and The Pacific
Recipient: Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and The Pacific (RECOFTC)
Location: Asia region via Bangkok, Thailand
Funding: Can$1,974,000
Description: Under this project the organization will strengthen Asia’s regional Model Forest network and its Model Forests’ role to employ nature-based solutions for resilient landscapes and peoples. The organization will also apply innovative learning interventions to advance the Model Forest approach to build climate resilience and promote a fair share of benefits to local communities.
Project: Latin American Model Forest Network – Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza
Recipient: Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE)
Location: Latin America region via Turrialba, Costa Rica
Funding: Can$2,987,834
Description: Under this project, the organization will provide leadership training through master’s scholarships at their institution with research theses for participants within the Latin American Model Forest Network. The organization will also provide technical assistance, training, development and publications while also establishing a demonstration area for the restoration of forest landscapes on the Proponent’s campus.
Project: Latin American Model Forest Network – Cooperativa Agraria de Mujeres Productoras de Cafe-Pichanaki
Recipient: Cooperativa Agraria de Mujeres Productoras de Cafe-Pichanaki (CAMPC)
Location: Pichanaqui, Peru
Funding: Can$150,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will implement bamboo agroforestry systems in micro-watersheds of Peru’s Pichanaki Model Forest towards the restoration of degraded ecosystems. The organization will also strengthen capacities in ecosystem restoration within watershed management committees, women leaders and youth.
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 promote place-based forest restoration activities in multiple official development assistance eligible countries of the Mediterranean basin. The organization will provide restoration technical support, fellowships and develop a web-based platform to prioritize and monitor areas for restoration within the Mediterranean Model Forest Network.
Project: Latin American Model Forest Network – ECOA
Recipient: ECOA – Ecologica e Ação
Location: Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Funding: Can$299,996
Description: Under this project the organization will support the recovery of degraded landscapes, pasturelands and strengthen agroforestry initiatives in the Pantanal Model Forest. The organization will also develop an integrated fire management plan within the forested landscapes of the world’s largest tropical wetland, enabling people to use wildfire as a tool of landscape management and protection.
Project: Latin American Model Forest Network – Instituto Rupestris de Inovação Ambiental em Recuperação, Conservação e Biotecnologias
Recipient: Instituto Rupestris de Inovação Ambiental em Recuperação, Conservação e Biotecnologias (IRPS)
Location: Minas Gerais, Brazil
Funding: Can$150,000
Description: Under this project, the organization will promote environmental restoration, sustainable land use, alternative income generation and social inclusion, through the implementation of agroforestry systems in Brazil’s Mata Atlântica Model Forest. The organization will also establish a network of native and fruit seed and seedlings production as a replicable model of conservation networks and green production.
Project: Latin American Model Forest Network – Fundação José Silveira
Recipient: Fundação José Silveira (FJS)
Location: Salvador, Brazil
Funding: Can$299,998
Description: Under this project, the organization will undertake forest restoration, seed collection and sapling production training, socio-environmental education, and formation of forest leaders. The organization will also provide restoration and training, promote environmental sustainability and the development of local communities in Brazil’s Hileia Baiana Model Forest.
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)
- International Model Forest Network – IMFN Climate
- Canada and the International Model Forest Network
- Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program
