$47.4 Million Initiative to Restore and Protect Colombia's Mangrove Ecosystems

The project focuses on conserving, restoring, and sustainably managing mangrove ecosystems in Colombia, with $15.7 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF)—an international organization funded by contributions from its 185 member countries—and $31.7 million in co-financing from government, private, and civil society partners.

Approved on December 13, 2024, with formal endorsement by María Teresa Becerra Ramírez, Head of the International Affairs Office of Colombia's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, on September 26, 2024, the project prioritizes Afro-Colombian collective territories, aiming to restore 500 hectares of mangroves, improve management of over 545,000 hectares of protected areas, and strengthen sustainable value chains in fisheries, tourism, and other sectors.

The initiative will empower Afro-Colombian communities, particularly women, through governance support, technical assistance, and innovative financial mechanisms like biodiversity credits and blue carbon.

By integrating traditional knowledge with scientific research, the project aims to enhance biodiversity, foster climate resilience, and create sustainable livelihoods, aligning with Colombia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and global conservation targets.

👉👉Read more here

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Protecting Babassu Forests with a $2.78 Million Sustainable Development Initiative

The project "Preserving the Babassu Forest", funded by the Amazon Fund with a total value of R$9.2 million(US$2.78 million in support), began in 2018 and operates across 59 municipalities in the Brazilian states of Maranhão, Tocantins, and Pará. The funds are managed by the Interstate Association of the Movement of Women Babassu Coconut Breakers (AMIQCB), benefiting traditional communities of babassu coconut breakers. The project aims to protect native babassu forests, support agro-extractivist production, and improve the livelihoods of families dependent on the babassu economy.

Key activities include allocating R$2 million to the Babassu Fund to finance community-led socio-environmental projects, creating a Training Center to develop skills for 150 women and youth, and promoting community organization through meetings and exchanges. The project directly contributes to forest conservation by protecting babassu areas, promoting sustainable agroforestry practices, and supporting alternative livelihoods that reduce deforestation and environmental degradation.

👉👉Read more here

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Australian Government Invests $73.76 Million to Expand Plantation Forests

The Australian Government is providing $73.76 million in grant funding from 2023 to 2027 to support the establishment of new long-rotation softwood and hardwood plantation forests. The funding aims to increase timber resources, create forestry-related jobs, and contribute to Australia’s carbon reduction targets under international climate agreements. Grants of $2,000 per hectare are available to private industry, First Nations businesses, farm foresters, and state and territory forestry bodies, requiring matching co-contributions.

To date, $15.72 million has been awarded to 27 projects, with $58.04 million still available under Round 3, which runs in six batches from October 2024 to November 2025. This program directly supports sustainable forestry growth and helps meet the rising demand for domestically sourced timber while advancing Australia’s environmental and economic goals.

👉👉 Read the full list of recipients here

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Canada Invests $838,608 in Tekwänt’e Man Forest Restoration Project

Natural Resources Canada has committed $838,608 to the Tekwänt’e Man Forest Restoration Project, running from September 2024 to March 2027. This initiative contributes to the Government of Canada’s broader goal of planting two billion trees over the next decade as part of its nature-based climate solutions.

The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance environmental sustainability, and deliver human well-being co-benefits, aligning with Canada’s efforts to mitigate climate change while restoring forests and supporting ecological health.

👉👉Read the details on Open Canada

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