Countries adopt Joint Declaration on community-based forestry at Global South-South Exchange in Cabo Verde

Praia, Cabo Verde – After four days of dialogue, shared experiences, and hands-on learning, the Global South-South Knowledge Exchange on Community-Based Forestry: From West Africa to the World has concluded with the adoption of the Praia Joint Declaration on Community-Based Forestry - a non-political shared commitment by countries and communities to strengthen local forest governance, improve rural livelihoods, and position community-based forestry (CBF) at the heart of climate and development strategies.

Hosted in Praia on 26-29 May 2025 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the UN-REDD Programme, the event brought together delegates from 15 West African countries as well as participants from Brazil, Guatemala, Nepal, Indonesia, Zambia and several regional organizations, including RECOFTC – Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific, REFACOF – Réseau des Femmes Africaines pour la Gestion Communautaire des Forêts (African Women’s Network for Community Management of Forests), WAWA – West Africa Women’s Association, ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“We are proud to have hosted this important gathering and to highlight the inspiring work happening in Cabo Verde’s own communities,” said Ms. Moshibudi Rampedi FAO Representative ai for Cabo Verde. “Community-based forestry is not only central to the sustainable management of our forests, but also to national development goals. It brings people closer to nature, creates jobs, and ensures that rural voices help shape the future of forestry in our country.”

The Praia Declaration: A shared commitment

The Praia Joint Declaration on Community-Based Forestry, adopted by all participants, outlines a non -political common vision for strengthening CBF at local, national, and international levels. The declaration is a call for action that builds on the stories, experiences, and ideas shared throughout the exchange, as well as ongoing national commitments to sustainable land use, biodiversity, and climate goals.

“This declaration is a reflection of the will of countries and communities to work together,” said one participant. “We may face different challenges, but we share the same determination to put forests in the hands of those who care for them most - the people.”

A platform to celebrate, share, and scale

The purpose of the event was to take stock of the progress made by community forestry initiatives across West Africa and link these experiences with efforts in other regions of the world. Participants reflected on how CBF contributes to climate action, biodiversity goals, and local economic development - but also on what more needs to be done to ensure long-term sustainability and scale.

The event featured three days of thematic discussions and regional presentations. Sessions explored topics such as forest governance, women’s leadership and gender equity, financial sustainability of community enterprises, and cross-border cooperation. Through these discussions, common challenges were identified - capacity gaps, land tenure barriers, and limited access to finance - but also powerful lessons and innovations emerged from communities on the ground.

International speakers and community leaders from Latin America and Asia enriched the learning by sharing complementary models and success stories, fostering a spirit of solidarity and inspiration that extended beyond borders.

On the ground: Learning from Cabo Verde

The second day took participants out of the conference room and into the field. The visit to Serra Malagueta Natural Park gave attendees a first-hand view of community-led initiatives supported under the project. Participants split into small groups to explore different aspects of CBF: from forest governance frameworks to women-led forest businesses and school-based environmental education.

Participants saw how communities are reclaiming degraded landscapes, building forest-based enterprises, engaging the next generation, and managing forests more equitably and effectively.

 Voices and stories: Launching the multimedia profiles

A key feature of the exchange was the launch of multimedia profiles of the 15 community-based forestry initiatives supported under the project. These digital profiles capture not only data and achievements, but also voices, images, and insights from the communities themselves.

More than just documentation tools, these profiles will serve as knowledge hubs, allowing practitioners, policymakers, and other communities to draw inspiration, understand diverse models, and build on the work already done.

Lessons from the project

The event was organized within the framework of the FAO-led project “Global Transformation of Forests for People and Climate: A focus on West Africa,” which aims to scale successful community forestry models through knowledge exchange and regional cooperation. Over the last 6 years, the project has worked to amplify existing efforts, consolidate good practices, and offer new opportunities for learning across borders. Initiatives presented during the exchange included community nurseries, participatory forest mapping, income-generating activities such as beekeeping and wild fruit processing, and the development of local rules for forest use.

Many of these initiatives were rooted in earlier interventions but have grown stronger through new partnerships and capacity development supported by FAO and national governments and organizations.

“What we are working to promote through this project – and other efforts connecting to and leveraging on it, such as the UN-REDD Programme -  is bigger than forestry or reducing deforestation ,” said Serena Fortuna, Team Leader for Halting Deforestation, Degradation and Emissions at FAO Forestry Division. “Community-based forestry also provides real and lasting benefits - for the climate, for local economies, and for the wellbeing of people. It is a way to deliver social justice, environmental protection, and economic opportunity, all at once.”

What comes next

The work does not stop here. Building on the energy and insights from the event, FAO will follow with a release a policy brief on community-based forestry in West Africa. The brief will synthesize lessons and offer actionable recommendations for decision-makers across the region. In parallel, FAO is also developing a new e-learning course on community-based forestry, designed to support capacity development for practitioners, local leaders, and institutions alike.

These next steps aim to ensure that the momentum continues - turning dialogue into action, and action into long-term impact.