LoCoFoRest - Locally Controlled Forest Restoration

Find out more about LoCoFoRest and learn how you can participate in the programme.

Forest landscapes are set to play an increasingly important role as we transition from a world reliant on fossil-fuel to a circular bioeconomy. Well-managed, natural forests are key for climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as meeting the growing global demand for wood-based products.

Objective

LoCoFoRest will build capacity in national, regional and local institutions and organisations. The programme will give participants the skills and knowledge to enrich their organisations’ capacity to support local communities and entrepreneurs to make forest and landscape restoration scalable and to take advantage of new value chains and the growing demands of a biobased economy.

Target group

We are looking for participants from:

• We are looking for participants from:

  • National, regional and local government; civil society; private sector and academic organisations working with forest restoration, processing of forest products, management of forest ecosystem services and natural resources management such as water and biodiversity.
  • Applicants are individuals working in these organisations and institutions, and require the approval of their employer.
  • In English language programme rounds from Ethiopia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.
  • In French language programme rounds from Democratic Republic of Kongo (DRC), Senegal and Togo (see LoCoFoRest web-site in French). 

Training programme components

The programme has five components:

• Web-based preparatory course
• Three weeks training in Sweden
• Mentoring support for a “change-project” project in the participant’s home countries.
• Annual restoration conference
• Follow up alumni and networking programmes in participating countries

Programme period

The current LoCoFoRest progamme has been running from 2021 to be ended 2025. Presently, we are waiting for Sida to confirm an extension of the program funding for 2026-2027. If the funding for 2026 is not secured, the call for proposals for the 2026 program cycle will be withdrawn.

Partners and Donor

The Swedish Forest Agency (SFA) is lead organiser in partnership with Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and The Eco-Innovation Foundation (EIF). The programme is financed by the Swedish International Agency for Development Cooperation (Sida).