Community forestry can be defined as a forest management tool that involves the collaborative work of local populations, focused on the self-management of forest resources available to them. It contributes to both the conservation of forest ecosystems and the overall economic development of the participating community. In short, it is the way in which communities manage the forests they are connected to, based on their own knowledge and needs.
REDD+ Projects and Community Forestry
Community forestry is a fundamental part of the REDD+ projects we implement at Human Forest, particularly in recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples over their territories and, therefore, over the forest resources within them.
The core goals of these projects include forest conservation and deforestation reduction, while also empowering communities in their decision-making processes for local development. The projects aim to strengthen community governance capacities – both collective and individual – to promote collaborative work. At the same time, efforts are made to build relationships between the communities and the projects, in order to gain recognition from local and national institutions involved in natural resource management.
Thus, throughout the entire process of planning, designing, and implementing these projects, community forestry plays a key role through the effective participation of local populations, aligning with the decisions of local governments to guide the economic and social development of each participating group.
Benefits and Challenges of Community Forestry
The benefits of community forestry are found across various social, economic, and environmental dimensions, enabling the sustainable development of forests and other natural resources. This is achieved through the consolidation of technical and theoretical knowledge, which improves the quality of life for communities by allowing continued access to resources and ecosystem services, while also diversifying income sources, opening access to new markets, and increasing the availability of resources for investment and social strengthening.
While community forestry has been recognized in Colombia as a key element in productive development strategies for local populations, there are still challenges in promoting inclusive and participatory collaboration, particularly in integrating forest resources as a central axis in community-led projects that generate positive social and economic impacts within forest areas.
In conclusion, for the sustainable management of forests and the successful implementation of forestry projects of all kinds, it is essential to strengthen forest governance from a local, territorial perspective, fostering the development of social capital in the process.
Alejandro Noy Suárez
Forestry Engineer, Human Forest