RECOFTC Community Forestry 2016-2023

In fiscal year 2021 to 2022, RECOFTC worked with numerous partners to achieve many of its output and outcome targets. The following are key achievements: At output level, the results achieved include: i) RECOFTC directly enhanced the skills and knowledge of 15,802 people through 995 capacity development events. Almost 30 percent were women, and 24 percent were members of Indigenous Peoples ii) Through a total of 74 training programs, events, and learning exchanges, RECOFTC directly reached 238 institutions and organizations and at least 219,639 people iii) The Sida-funded WAVES program created a network of 36 gender leaders and strengthened their leadership capacity to support gender equality in the forest sector with a focus on policy, investment and climate change action iv) RECOFTC produced 394 communication products in 20212022, an increase of 43 percent over 20202021 and v) RECOFTC supported 1,549 community entrepreneurs (45 percent women) from 66 individual-owned and 52 group-owned community-based enterprises through capacity building programs, including market analysis and linkages.   Highlights of key outcome areas achieved in 20212022 are presented below: - At regional, RECOFTC is considered a trusted partner and thought leader for promoting inclusive forest governance in the Asia-Pacific region. In partnership with ClientEarth, RECOFTC contributed to the development of principles for ASEAN social forestry legal frameworks. The ASEAN Working Group on Social Forestry endorsed these principles and agreed to support implementation of a pilot phase. - RECOFTC played active roles in forest policy reforms in Cambodia and Lao PDR. It coordinated consultations for revision of the Forestry Law in Cambodia, focused on community forest management. In Lao PDR, RECOFTC facilitated consultations for the Inspection and Investigation/Case Proceeding Regarding Forest Resources. - In relation to gender, the Weaving Leadership for Gender Equality (WAVES) program was instrumental not only in creating a network of 36 gender leaders in seven focal countries, but influencing government agencies to recognize gender equality and gender mainstreaming in policies and programs. For example, in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Nepal, RECOFTC coordinated and facilitated changes in gender mainstreaming strategic planning, organizational and mobilization policy, and municipal gender strategies, respectively. - Innovative approaches to generating public and private finance had a positive impact on landscapes and local people. RECOFTC Thailand raised funds for landscape restoration and increased public and private sector awareness about climate change, forest restoration, and sustainable livelihoods through crowdfunding campaigns and engagement with strategic networks. - RECOFTC supported community-based enterprises and credit schemes in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Thailand. These continued to grow and sustain livelihoods for group members through partnerships with local companies and financial support for agriculture and forestry activities.