FLR Hub

The project's overarching objective is to strengthen the enabling environments and the capacity of stakeholders to accelerate and scale up FLR implementation. It aims to restore 200,000 ha of degraded land, leverage EUR 20 million of funds, contribute to the sequestration of 500,000 tonnes of CO2e, and improve the biodiversity and livelihoods of local communities in Brazil, Colombia, Madagascar, Peru, Tanzania, and Uganda. The project will target a wide range of actors involved in FLR in the six countries: national, regional, and local government institutions, government agencies, investors, funders, project developers, private sector organisations, small- and large-scale landowners, local and indigenous communities and forestry organizations, civil society organisations/NGOs, subsistence farmers, women's networks, producers and relevant cooperatives and associations. The Hub will provide technical support to ensure restoration efforts are integrated and inclusive across target groups. 

All six target countries have demonstrated political will and commitment to international and regional agreements relevant to FLR, including the Bonn Challenge, AFR100, and Initiative 20x20. In addition, each country has pledged to an NDC under the Paris Agreement as part of national climate action plans to cut GHG emissions and adapt to climate change impacts. National legislation and strategies relevant to FLR are also in place, although legislative alignment, enforcement, and coordination remain challenges. Consequently, one of the main objectives of the Hub is the establishment or enhancement of an enabling legislative and policy environment for FLR. The Hub will pursue activities to strengthen legislation and policies — such as incentive programmes for FLR — and enhance multi-sectoral coordination to support FLR through existing institutional structures and policy processes. While the country specific-activities/measures will be identified at the start of the project, the Hub ill focus on the following country-specific policies and strategies:  

Brazil: The Forest Code (Law 12651/2012) is the main regulatory framework for forest protection and restoration. The FLR Hub team will work with regional authorities to enhance and develop strategies to bring more stakeholders in the target landscape into compliance with the Forest Code. The team will also prioritize activities aligned with government commitments, like assisted natural regeneration and agroforestry.  

Colombia: Herencia Colombia (HECo) has established a Financing Programme for Permanence for 20 Mha by increasing tree cover, effective management, and governance of the National System of Protected Areas. The Hub will support the goals of HECo with implementation in selected priority regions of the programme.  

Madagascar: The Strategy and Action Plan and the National Strategy on Forest Landscapes Restoration and Green Infrastructure (SNRPF) of Madagascar focuses on good governance and the alignment of decentralised planning tools. The Hub will work with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) and other line agencies to support the implementation of SNRPF in the Diana region.  

Peru: The Hub will collaborate with Peru National Forest Service (SERFOR) to ensure that the project's activities are aligned with National Strategy for the Restoration of Ecosystems and Degraded Forest Lands (ProREST) and the country's NDC. A primary goal of this work will be ensuring that public programmes for FLR are well communicated and accessible to smallholders, women, indigenous communities, and other marginalized groups.  

Tanzania: The Hub will support the National FLR strategy implementation through the multi-stakeholders platforms and consultative processes. It will identify and support activities by engaging all actors transparently to ensure accountability and effectiveness in the project delivery.  

Uganda: The Hub will work closely with the Ministry of Water and Environment to accelerate the implementation of restoration in line with Uganda's Vision 2040 and Uganda Green Growth Strategy (2018). It will specifically contribute to the attainment of Uganda's Bonn Challenge commitments, the government's National REDD+ strategy, and NDC targets.