Global research lab on rainforest restoration

Background and aims 

More than 25 years ago, IKEA, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and the Sabah Foundation began restoring a degraded rainforest in Borneo through the Sow a Seed initiative.

Since then, 18.500 hectares have been restored and protected, making it one of the world’s largest biodiversity-focused reforestation projects. Building on the evidence that rainforests can be regenerated, the next phase, the Living Rainforest Restoration Lab, shifts the focus from on-site restoration to research and knowledge sharing to support global biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

The primary driver of biodiversity loss today is the conversion of forests and other natural habitats, primarily for agricultural purposes. Currently, one-third of the world's tropical rainforests have been lost, and half of what remains is degraded. Recently there has been an explosion of interest in restoring these forests for climate mitigation, biodiversity, and economic benefits.

Lack of verified methods

When both large and small initiatives aim to restore forests to mitigate climate change and rejuvenate biodiversity, it is of utmost importance that the methods used are effective in the long term. However, this information is often lacking because most restoration projects are evaluated only after a few years, if at all. The program can make a significant difference.

It is time for our joint efforts to make a real impact on forests and people.  
Therefore, we aspire to transform 'Sow a Seed' and its surrounding areas, encompassing conserved pristine rainforests and sustainably managed rainforests, into a globally renowned model area for advancing and disseminating knowledge on the restoration, conservation, and sustainable stewardship of native rainforests.  

In this way, we aim to make substantial contributions to that more forests in the tropical regions of the world are more responsibly managed and restored through better knowledge on improved restoration practices that better benefit biodiversity, climate and other ecosystem services.

Organization

Research program  

The program will run for 10 years from 2026. The core of the Rainforest Restoration Lab will be 24 projects for PhD-students or Postdocs. In addition to several theses, the program will produce up to  and 200 papers that will push the knowledge forward in the field of rainforest management and restoration in an extraordinary way.

Grants to promote upscaling

About six percent of the budget will be used for calls, which are used to increase the likelihood of getting funding from other sources. This includes travel funds to conduct pilot/feasibility studies and co-funding with other donors.

The program will target both promising early-career researchers to encourage them to build a career around the Living Rainforest Restoration lab infrastructure as well as attract established senior researchers. The end goal of this investment would be to promote the upscaling of research activities as well as the implementation of knowledge-based restoration via funding from other sources.

Outreach program

An outreach program will contribute to globally increased awareness, interest, and knowledge about the restoration, conservation, and sustainable stewardship of native rainforests among relevant stakeholders, which in turn contributes to:

• More knowledge-based restoration is being done
• Enhanced conservation of pristine rainforests
• Native species and sustainable management practices being utilized in commercial forestry
• Informed decision-making by policymakers regarding the restoration, conservation and management of rainforests, both locally and globally
• Hope, awareness and public interest in rainforest restoration and conservation.