A Partnership for Forest Conservation and Community Empowerment
Thriving Forests is an initiative launched in collaboration between The Nature Recovery Project (TNRP) and Ashden. This transformative project aims to protect and restore one million hectares of tropical rainforest across Africa, Asia, and South America. By supporting local communities with grants, technical expertise, and peer-learning resources, Thriving Forests enables sustainable livelihoods that empower forest stewards to resist destructive activities such as logging and mining.
The program highlights a community-based approach to conservation, fostering economic resilience while safeguarding ecosystems critical for climate stability and biodiversity.
Ashden, a leading climate charity, shares TNRP's vision of empowering local communities to achieve sustainable development while combating climate crises. Together, we've designed the Thriving Forests initiative to provide grassroots organisations with the tools and resources necessary for transformative impact. This partnership highlights a shared commitment to advancing inclusive conservation practices and securing a sustainable future for forests and their inhabitants.
Tropical rainforests store immense amounts of carbon, regulate the planet's climate, and house 50% of the world's species. However, these ecosystems are under constant threat. Thriving Forests responds by supporting local organisations in developing sustainable livelihood projects. This effort ensures economic opportunities for communities while protecting forested lands essential for global climate stability.
James Berry, The Nature Recovery Project's Head of Strategy, said: "The Nature Recovery Project's objective to protect, restore and increase biodiversity in the threatened and vulnerable tropical rainforests has taken another step forward in launching the first cohort of the Thriving Forests programme."
The participating organisations include:
Dedicated to conserving tropical forest and enhancing community well-being through sustainable livelihoods
Focused on Locally led land Restoration and Sustainable Livelihoods
Dedicated to conservation with effective participation of Indigenous communities and replacing extractive activities with sustainable livelihoods
Established as an initiative to combat wildlife depletion and deforestation
Dedicated to supporting communities to steward forests while improving their livelihoods
Support women's empowerment, community livelihoods and sustainable ecosystem while addressing environmental challenges
Local stewardship which aims to conserve the ecosystem using traditional ecological knowledge, empowering communities to lead conservation
These organisations will receive grants, technical guidance, and platforms for peer learning, enabling them to amplify their impact on forest conservation and community livelihoods. Additional organisations will join the initiative by 2025.
Thriving Forests is a movement to empower those on the frontlines of the climate crisis. By equipping local communities with resources and sustainable practices, we are fostering resilience, enhancing biodiversity, and creating a pathway to a brighter, more sustainable future for people and the planet.