This session is the first of two linked events that explore the connection between landscape restoration, food security and livelihoods. Driven by the commitment, research and experience of its hosts – FAO, the World Bank, IUCN, WRI and CIFOR – it will ask the question: “How does a Landscape Approach lead to greater food and nutrition security and more resilient livelihoods?” It will provide an opportunity for practitioners and promoters of landscape approaches to highlight experiences from community to national level and share their success stories. The session will include cases that highlight the development of integrated landscape/territorial management plans; Innovative financing mechanisms; Exploring value chains that optimize integrated landscape production; Cross sectoral policy processes and platforms; Strengthening institutional capacity of smallholders, producers and local government; Tools for assessing optimum ecological, social and economic benefits from restored mosaic landscapes. Lessons will be shared from experiences in Rwanda, Malawi, Bolivia, Italy and possibly other countries. The session will set the stage for a second discussion forum that builds on the lessons learned from practical experience to date and aims to lay out a common framework of support to country-led implementation.

The breadth and ambition of international commitments to restore the environment often hide the failure to consult – and directly benefit – the communities who rely on the targeted landscapes. Furthermore, past initiatives have occasionally exacerbated existing social inequities. Therefore, involving local communities, institutions and interests is necessary for a sustainable environmental agenda.

By drawing on a broad range of stakeholders in an open discussion, the Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) agenda aims to fully incorporate gender-awareness and residents’ concerns.  As a general theme, the panel will seek to identify conflicts and synergies between forest restoration, tenure security and gender equality.

As the environmental agenda moves forward and gathers momentum, its success continues to rely on a change in mindset, as well as a change in policy.  This session will show the importance of the human factor – choices made by individuals conscious of their role in preserving the environment.

Approaches focused on positive behavior – whether they are farmers’ organic methods, or consumers buying fair-trade products – have had a strong track record of achievement.  Utilizing audience participation, vigorous discussion and real-world examples, this session will demonstrate the importance of behavior going forward.

Further readings:

SEI

Photo essay about the user-journey methodology: Clearing the Smoke 

No food security without fire – A blog by Caroline Ochieng

Rare

Stanford Social Innovation Review: How a Nobel Prize in Economics Could Help Solve the Climate Crisis (2017)

The Principles of Pride – The Science Behind the Mascots (2013)

Conservation Evidence: Establishing reciprocal agreements for water and biodiversity conservation through a social marketing campaign in Quanda Watershed, Peru (2013)

Video (SIWI Sofa): Power of Pride – Social norms for community-based watershed management (2017)

Video (Deutsche Welle): Overfishing in the Philippines – and one fisherman’s fight for changing practices (2017)

Presentations (PDFs)

• Rare, Ann-Kathrin Neureuther
• Cities without Hunger Alice Bischof
• SEI, Caroline Ochieng
• Fairventures, Panduh Tukat