Festivals of Action: Learning Experience

Are you passionate about sustainability and eager to make a difference?

We are seeking individuals who are passionate about environmental restoration, want to organise festivals or large-scale restoration activations, and are eager to make a tangible impact in their communities.

Greenpop and the UNCCD are thrilled to invite you to the Reforest Fest in South Africa, taking place from 16-21 April 2025. This is a chance to be part of a global environmental restoration movement and learn how to run a community-driven restoration event from experts.

Reforest Fest is Greenpop’s flagship event, uniting hundreds of volunteers for a weekend filled with tree planting, arts, music, and educational workshops in the beautiful Uilenkraal Valley. This immersive experience combines ecological restoration with a celebratory festival format, fostering lasting change in our communities.

Why Attend?
– Learn and grow: Gain practical experience in hosting citizen-led environmental restoration initiatives.
– Network: Connect with restoration experts and like-minded individuals from around the world.
– Skills development: Acquire key organisational skills necessary for planning and executing future Festivals of Action.

Included are five nights of camping accommodation, meals throughout the festival, and mentorship and community support for your future projects.

Application Details:

Cost: $172 USD per person (excluding flights, visas, and insurance) – motivating participants can apply for support.

Application Deadline: 31 January 2025, at 11:59 CET

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6th World Congress on Agroforestry

The World Congress on Agroforestry is an international event that brings together different stakeholders in agroforestry to exchange on the advancement of research and practices in agroforestry systems, natural resource management and climate change adaptation and mitigation for sustainable and resilient agro-ecosystems.

Under the main theme of Agroforestry for People, Planet and Profit, the 6th World Congress on Agroforestry 2025 will bring together leading experts to share their latest research, innovations, and practices in the field of agroforestry.

Learn more

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2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30)

Last year, virtually no country left COP29 happy after a much watered-down deal on climate finance brokered by beleaguered hosts Azerbaijan. Will Brazil do better in charge of COP30?

The GLF will be hosting GLF Climate 2025 and the 8th Investment Case alongside the event and providing live coverage from COP30.

Act Now!

Organizing an event? Get in touch to be featured on this list!

Learn more

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Second World Summit for Social Development

The Second World Summit for Social Development will address gaps in and recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action and its implementation.

Hosted by Qatar and co-facilitated by the permanent representatives of Belgium and Morocco to the UN, the summit aims to deliver a short and concise political declaration adopted by consensus with a social development approach that will build momentum to implement the 2030 Agenda.

Learn more

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IMFN Global Forum 2025

The International Model Forest Network (IMFN) will host a Global Forum in the Eastern Ontario Model Forest in Canada from 26–30 May 2025, which will attract up to 200 delegates representing over 60 Model Forests from around the world.

The IMFN Global Forum is a business, technical, and networking meeting in which members share knowledge, review their accomplishments, address challenges, and agree on Network‐wide and other strategic plans and initiatives for the three‐year period following the Global Forum.

Since its creation, the IMFN has held five Global Forums:

Organized by the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) and its lead organization, the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA), the 2025 IMFN Global Forum will take place on the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre. This Centre is an educational and multi-use facility serving the community of North Grenville and surrounding area, located right in the heart of the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, a pioneer member of the IMFN with over 30 years of experience.

Located less than an hour from downtown Ottawa, the Kemptville Campus includes 254 hectares and 17 main buildings, as well as woodlands, cropland, wetland, greenspace, greenhouses, trails, an agroforestry centre and maple bush, among other buildings. The forest of the campus is fully certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), under the Eastern Ontario Model Forest’s certification program.

Functions of the Global Forum are threefold:

  • For the IMFN Assembly to take decisions on specific matters;
  • To strengthen collaboration and synergies among members;
  • To strengthen collaboration and visibility for the IMFN among other relevant initiatives and programmes, including international forest policy priorities, in support of IMFN and member goals and objectives.

On 27 May, the GLF will be hosting the Forests, People, Planet: Scaling Local Solutions for Global Impact hybrid event at the IMFN Global Forum. Join us online for free by registering here.

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World Sustainable Development Summit 2025

The 24th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) will focus on the pivotal role of partnerships in catalyzing transformative action and advancing global sustainability objectives.

Under the theme ‘partnerships for accelerating sustainable development and climate solutions,’ it aims to outline a clear action plan to strengthen partnerships among governments, businesses, civil society, and other key stakeholders to drive meaningful change and lasting impact.

Learn more

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What if youth led the way? Redefining action for land, culture, and people

From restoring landscapes to preserving heritage and influencing policy, young experts and practitioners around the world are already bridging the worlds of science, traditional knowledge, policy, and practice to drive change in their landscapes and communities. From restoring degraded lands to leading innovative policy campaigns, and from preserving cultural heritage to sparking community-driven solutions, these youth are redefining the boundaries of what’s possible for transformative action. This session will also provide a platform for dialogue, inviting participants to connect, collaborate, and reimagine the role of youth in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.

Join us on 9 December at 12:00 local time (UTC+3) in the Science Pavilion at the UNCCD COP16.

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A Tapestry of Policy: Can Civil Society Unite the Rio Conventions?

The 3rd and last stop of this interactive workshop is in Saudi Arabia. The previous two were held during GLF Africa 2024 (Nairobi, September) and CBD COP16 (Cali, October). The outcomes of the three workshops, as well as learnings from a partner-led session at UNFCCC COP29 (Baku, November) will be consolidated into a short report to publish a small knowledge product and inform strategic decisions about the youth-policy interface work of GLF and YIL on the road to UNFCCC COP30 (Belem, 2025).

Join us on 10 December at 10:00 local time (UTC+3) in the Children & Youth Resilience Hub Pavilion at the UNCCD COP16.

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