Ashden launches million-hectare forest protection program across Africa, Asia, and South America

GLOBAL – As COP29 kicks off, climate charity Ashden has unveiled an ambitious initiative to protect and restore one million hectares of vulnerable forest across Africa, Asia, and South America.

The “Thriving Forests” program, funded by The Nature Recovery Project, will support over a dozen organizations working in forest-dependent communities globally.

Initial sites have been announced in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Indonesia, and Peru.

This new initiative aims to empower indigenous and local populations by fostering sustainable livelihoods, such as agroforestry and eco-tourism, which will help communities boost their incomes and deter environmentally harmful activities like mining and logging.

Thriving Forests seeks to enhance forest preservation and strengthen the global fight against climate change through increased carbon sequestration by promoting sustainable economic growth in these regions.

Today, the first eight organizations receiving grants and expert support were revealed. These organizations will gain access to development assistance, governance training, public outreach, and peer learning opportunities, which will equip them to better serve their communities, expand sustainable initiatives, and attract further funding.

Among the participants is Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch (CAMGEW), which runs a tree nursery and farm in the highlands, providing local residents—particularly women—with the skills and materials needed to cultivate spices, vegetables, and medicinal plants.

CAMGEW aims to distribute 20,000 non-timber trees to local farmers by 2025. Director Emma Wirsiy expressed enthusiasm for the program and stressed the importance of strong organizational support for sustainable forest management.

“Development and capacity strengthening are crucial,” Wirsiy stated. “If the organization is not strong, the forest will not be there. Thriving Forests will help us demonstrate our impact to a broader donor audience.”

Each organization will receive grants ranging from £25,000 to £30,000, alongside development assistance from Ashden.

The current cohort of organizations includes Forêt Pour le Développement Intégral (Democratic Republic of Congo), Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch (CAMGEW), Tropical Forest and Rural Development (Cameroon), CERAF-NORD (Cameroon), Mbou Mon Tour (Democratic Republic of Congo), ECA Amarakaeri (Peru) and Alam Sehat Lestari (Indonesia).

Ashden CEO Ashok Sinha underscored the importance of local collaboration in forest conservation efforts.

“Forests are on the frontline of our defence against climate change. Forest communities know and drive to protect their land but often lack resources and networks. Thriving Forests will empower these outstanding organizations to boost local incomes while protecting vital ecosystems for all of us,” he said.

Thriving Forests will announce additional organizations in 2025. The goal is to build an inclusive conservation model that uplifts communities and preserves the planet’s most threatened forests.

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