2026 Restoration Stewards Program & GLFx Chapters

2026 RESTORATION STEWARDS PROGRAM & GLFx CHAPTER NETWORK

JOIN A GROWING RESTORATION COMMUNITY

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The climate crisis is already ravaging landscapes and livelihoods, but it’s not too late to act: all across the globe, people are fighting back by restoring ecosystems and working with local communities to adapt.

To support those efforts, we’re opening applications for the 2026 Restoration Stewards program and new GLFx chapters. If you’re a young restoration practitioner or a community-based organization and you’d like to scale up, deep or out the impact of your landscape projects, this opportunity is for you!

Apply by Sunday, 29 June, 2025, 23:59 CEST (UTC+2)

2026 Restoration Stewards Program

Are you a young restoration practitioner ready to scale your project?

Apply if you are:

  • A young, ambitious restoration practitioner between the ages of 18 and 35.
  • Leading or part of a youth-led and youth-driven team.
  • Working on an ecosystem restoration project for oceans, wetlands, peatlands, mountains, forests, drylands or rangelands.

As a Restoration Steward, you will get:

  • EUR 5,000 in funding to support your restoration project;
  • Mentorship opportunities with our  global network of experts;
  • Spotlighting opportunities through GLF platforms and media outreach;
  • Capacity development opportunities, including workshops and the Landscape Academy.

2026 GLFx Chapter Network​

Are you a local NGO working towards sustainable landscapes?

Apply if you are:

  • Representing a locally-led organization in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • Leading or part of a registered NGO led by local people, and embodying values of diversity and inclusion (gender, Indigenous people, youth).
  • Working to promote sustainable land use at the local level to boost food security, livelihoods and biodiversity.

If selected to join the GLFx network, you will get access to:

  • Exclusive funding opportunities;
  • Networking and peer-to-peer learning with other GLFx chapters;
  • Collaboration with experts from the GLF network of charter members;
  • Training opportunities, including workshops and the Landscape Academy.

GENERAL INQUIRIES

Restoration Stewards Program

Eirini Sakellari

Youth Program Coordinator

E.Sakellari@cifor-icraf.org

GLFx Chapter Network

Ana Yi Soto

GLFx Coordinator

A.Yisoto@cifor-icraf.org

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Media Lab: Stories Into the Woods

MEDIA LAB

STORIES INTO THE WOODS
Online | 7–8 May 2025, 13:00–14:30 UTC
(8 AM Bogota, 1 PM Accra, 8 PM Jakarta)
Interpretation available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Bahasa Indonesia

Hosted by:

Forests are everywhere, standing tall for climate action, economic stability and human well-being. Yet, they remain at risk – often misunderstood, sometimes overlooked and always essential.  

Communicators play a crucial role in decoding the science, revealing hidden narratives and making forest stories resonate with diverse audiences. 

During this two-day media lab, experts guided participants through crafting compelling stories that connect people and forests, harness technology and data, and navigated audience engagement.  

 Held between GLF Forests 2025 and Forests, People, Planet, and in the buildup to the decisive climate COP30, the lab sharpened participants’ skills in working with scientists and creating powerful forest stories. 

AGENDA

DAY 1

7 May 2025

13:00–13:10

Why a Media Lab on forests?

13:10–13:50

Making forests matter to younger audiences

Panel and Q&A

How do we bring forest stories to life for younger audiences? Storytelling experts will share what works, from social media to traditional newsrooms. Kiyo, Business and Climate Reporter and “Planet A” Lead at Deutsche Welle (DW); Yunanto, Science Journalist and Visual Interaktif Kompas (VIK) Manager at Kompas; and Andrea, Social Media Specialist at the GLF, explored impactful angles, formats and language choices that make forest stories engaging and relevant. They also discussed how to highlight positive narratives, create content directly from forests, fact-check content and manage story production in teams of any size. 

13:50–14:30

Bridging journalism and science

Discussion and Q&A 

In an informal exchange, Paula Díaz Levi, General Editor – Latin America at Climate Tracker; Beria Leimona, Theme Leader – Climate Change, Energy & Low-Carbon Development at CIFOR-ICRAF and Eden, Multimedia Editor at ThinkLandscape unpacked the art of collaboration. They discussed tackling misinformation, uncovering unexpected forest stories and connecting forests to climate narratives. Discover how science and storytelling can work together to make forest issues more accessible and compelling. 

DAY 2

8 May 2025

13:00–13:40

From figures to forests: Data in storytelling

Demo and Q&A

Explore how data from scientists and communities can enrich fact-based storytelling, from in-depth investigations to quick snapshots. With Felix, Head of Media at Odipo Dev; Tor-Gunnar, Head of Spatial Data Science and Applied Learning Lab at CIFOR-ICRAF; and Ava, Associate Editor at ThinkLandscape, learn how dashboards, satellite imagery, AI and data visualization help uncover new angles, enhance reporting, navigate safety or budget constraints, strengthen investigations and fact-check information. 

13:40–14:20

Ideate and pitch impactful forest stories

Expert tips and Q&A

The Pulitzer Center grantees Elodie Toto, Central Africa staff writer at Mongabay Africa; Paritta Wangkiat, editor-in-chief of The Mekong Eye; Rob Soutar, Environment Editor at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ); and Magalhães, the GLFx Latin America & the Caribbean Hub Officer, shared how to craft, pitch and publish compelling forest stories. Drawing from their experience in editorial leadership, investigative reporting and fieldwork, they guided participants on how to shape story angles, use data effectively and structure stories for high impact. 

14:20–14:30

What's next? Forest content resources and a small grant opportunity

After attending the Media Lab, journalists and content creators received quick references to fact-based content on forests and were invited to submit story ideas for a chance to win a small grant and guidance to produce their stories. Learn more below! 

MEET THE SPEAKERS

THE FOREST STORY GRANT

Journalists and content creators: do you have a forest story to tell? We want to support you!

Who is this grant for? Journalists and social media content creators who attended the Media Lab, have a proven track record of relevant publications and an active platform or engagement with an outlet, and have never been part of a GLF program except the Social Media Ambassadors program.  

How to apply: Submit a 250-word pitch outlining your original forest story idea by 30 May. Include key angles, the proposed format and a distribution plan. You are invited to apply in English, Spanish, French or Portuguese. The application form will be sent to you by email on 9 May. 

What grants are available? 

  • Journalistic story (USD 500). Format: Written, audio (radio/podcast), audiovisual or visual-only. Must feature insights from at least one of the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF)’s network changemakers (Restoration Stewards or GLFx chapters). The distribution plan should include potential cross-publication on ThinkLandscape.  
  • Social media story (USD 200). Format: 60–90 second video. The story should expand on themes from GLF Forests 2025 or to be addressed at Forests, People, Planet and be published as a collaborative post across your platforms and the GLF’s social media channels.  

What does the grant include? The journalistic report will receive USD 500 and editorial guidance from the ThinkLandscape team if the story is to be published on the platform. The social media reel will receive USD 200 and guidance from the GLF social media team. Payment will be made upon publication. Your story must be published no later than the start of COP30 (10 November). 

The application deadline is 30 May. Finalists will be announced by 21 June. The grant may be declared void if none of the proposals are considered viable. 

Questions? Contact Kelly Quintero at k.quintero@cifor-icraf.org and media@globallandscapesforum.org.

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GLF Africa 2025

HYBRID CONFERENCE

GLF Africa 2025:

Innovate, Restore, Prosper

How can nature power Africa’s present and future?

Join online from anywhere in the world or in Nairobi, Kenya, and follow the event in English, French and Swahili.

19 June 2025

Live
from Nairobi,
Kenya

#GLFAfrica

Read the event concept note to learn more

Africa holds two-thirds of the world’s arable land.

How can it build an economy that keeps this land healthy for future generations?

Africa’s landscapes are facing a triple crisis: land degradation, biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. Nature is declining, land is struggling to support a growing population, policies are stalling, funding is diminishing, and land rights remain in limbo.

And yet, there are multiple opportunities to turn things around. Africa deserves healthy, resilient and prosperous landscapes, communities and economies – and it can achieve all of these by  building a vibrant nature economy with the help of its rich natural capital, science and traditional knowledge, paired with  good governance, meaningful partnerships, AI and big data.

Join our annual hybrid event to learn how Africa can build a thriving nature economy grounded in natural capital that works for nature and people. Discover new innovations and opportunities in Africa’s nature economy, and get inspired by like-minded people and thought leaders from across the continent and beyond.

Explore the event themes

Explore high-impact, cost-effective strategies to restore and sustainably manage African landscapes

Defend the land and tree tenure rights of women, youth, local communities and Indigenous Peoples

Discover how the nature economy can underpin climate adaptation across the continent

Learn how to use AI and big data to achieve impact in restoration

Check out our best GLF Africa content

Join us online or in Nairobi, Kenya

Join us online from the comfort of your home or in person at the CIFOR-ICRAF Nairobi office, located in the Gigiri area of the Kenyan capital.

MEET SOME OF OUR SPEAKERS

Why should you join?

Connect.

Network with top experts, youth, Indigenous and local leaders, businesses, policymakers and financiers. Forge new collaborations to transform and revitalize Africa’s economy to create millions of green jobs.

Exchange knowledge and experiences with thousands of fellow participants from across Africa and the globe. Show the world how Africa can rethink “development” and take charge of its own destiny.

Discover how Africa can overcome its climate, land and development challenges, spearheaded by local communities and a new generation of young stewards.

Play your part in rewriting Africa’s story. Help build a sustainable future for the continent’s landscapes beyond development aid – led by Africans, for Africans.

participating organizations

What others are saying about GLF Africa

Past editions of GLF Africa

Past Editions Photos

What others are saying about GLF Africa

Our top resources on these crucial ecosystems

Any questions? Get in touch.

General

Amos Amanubo

a.amanubocifor-icraf[dot]org

Marina Brunale

m.brunalecifor-icraf[dot]org

MEDIA

Kelly Quintero

K.Quinterocifor-icraf[dot]org

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Forests, People, Planet

Forests, People, Planet, as it happened

Local communities are vital to the future of forests. How can we support them in taking their work to the next level?

At Forests, People, Planet: Scaling Local Solutions for Global Impact, we gathered over 3,000 participants from 129 countries to find answers to this crucial question.

Held online and in Kemptville, Ontario, Canada, alongside the International Model Forest Network (IMFN) Global Forum 2025, this global event featured 60 speakers and over 50 global and local partner organizations, reaching almost 6 million people on social and traditional media channels, with almost 1 million engagements.

Building on GLF Forests 2025, we organized 8 plenaries, expert-led sessions and panel discussions to explore the key roles of stewardship, agroforestry and finance in building the restoration economy we need.

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

VIDEOS

News

PHOTOS

ORGANIZERS, SPONSORS & participating organizations

Learn more about
the International Model Forest Network (IMFN)

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2025 GLF Landscape Leadership Camp in Africa

Closed: 2025 GLF Landscape Leadership Camp in Africa

Applications for the 2025 Landscape Leadership Camp are now closed. The selection committee is reviewing submissions, and successful applicants will be notified in the coming weeks.

WHEN

June 2025

WHERE

Nairobi, Kenya

SOCIAL

#ThinkLandscape

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Are you a young student, professional, expert or visionary from Africa interested in nurturing positive change in Africa’s communities, landscapes and seascapes?

Look no further! For the third time, the GLF Landscape Leadership Camp is taking place in Africa.

Apply now for a spot at the 2025 GLF Landscape Leadership Camp for the chance to connect and collaborate with other landscape leaders. Co-designed by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), Youth in Landscapes Initiative (YIL), and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the camp will take place over three days in Kenya in June 2025.

This immersive experience will bring together like-minded students, young professionals, experts and practitioners from across Africa, creating a cross-cultural community dedicated to driving impactful and transformative change

 

Applications are now closed!

COLLABORATION PARTNERS

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GLF Forests 2025

The GLF Forests 2025 Hybrid Conference, as it happened

Hosted in Bonn, Germany, and online, the GLF Forests 2025 Hybrid Conference: Defining the Next Decade of Action united over 3,000 participants from 145 countries, along with 105 speakers and over 50 global and local partner organizations to lay the foundations for a resilient, productive and just future for forests on the road from Baku to Belém

The global event reached over 13 million people via social media and media channels, with more than 700,000 engagements.

Across 27 plenaries, expert sessions, side events, networking sessions and forest talks, the conference sparked vibrant conversations on what we need to do to save the forests before it’s too late.

Stay tuned for the event outcome statement!

Share:

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

VIDEOS

News

PHOTOS

2024 African Youth Storytelling Contest

What young Africans want the world to know

We received hundreds of stories that paint a picture of hope and resilience in the face of the mounting climate and biodiversity crises, showcasing the diverse and inspiring narratives of Africa’s youth. Congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 African Youth Storytelling Contest!

ORGANIZERS, SPONSORS & participating organizations

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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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2025 Social Media Ambassadors Program

The GLF Social Media Ambassadors program unites diverse voices to shape the narrative on sustainable landscapes by creating impactful content and engaging global audiences. With training and connections to leading organizations, these young volunteers receive the skills and mentorship to use their voices for a more sustainable future.

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