Our On-going Projects
Since its founding in 2007, the African Forest Forum (AFF) has worked closely with several UN bodies, governments at all levels, intergovernmental organizations like the African Union Commission (AUC), civil society and private sector organizations to drive a better understanding of the potential roles that forests, and forestry can play in addressing many current development and environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and livelihood.
With over 3,000 members from all over the continent and beyond, AFF has worked hard to provide a bridge between science-based knowledge and strong policies that support the sustainable management and wise use of these resources for the benefit of future generations. It has strengthened the capacity of public and private forest institutions for sustained development outcomes in the sector and delivered on related issues in the context of climate change.
Projects and activities funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Swedish International Development Cooperation (Sida) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have shaped national institutions and policies to cultivate shifts in perceptions, priorities, values, capacities, and skills that bear on forestry and related decisions and practices.
Below is a list of AFF's on-going projects and their main objectives:
Facilitating Advocacy for Smallholders in Swiss Policy Debate
Ensuring smallholder perspectives are actively included in Switzerland's policy debate on the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Supply Chains (EUDR), with focus on protecting cocoa producers from reduced market access.
Technical Support for DSL-IP Southern Africa Cluster
Strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange within the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program across the Miombo–Mopane eco-region to generate synergies and reduce duplication.
Strengthening Intra-African Timber Trade
Promoting sustainable timber trade within Africa while developing strategies to reduce reliance on external markets and advance continental green economy goals under AfCFTA.
Strengthening REDD+ Implementation in Africa
A UN-REDD AFF partnership supporting African countries in meeting REDD+ forest emission reduction commitments and building climate resilience across the continent.
Scaling Youth-Led Climate Innovations
Empowering African youth to advance sustainable supply chains and enhance compliance with EUDR through climate-smart practices and green job creation initiatives.
Fair Business Development for NTFPs - Tamarindus
Developing sustainable, poverty-reducing business models for Non-Timber Forest Products, focusing on Tamarindus indica in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa.
AfricanYouth4Forests - From Science to Action
Empowering young Africans aged 18–35 to become forest stewards, innovators, and leaders by merging traditional wisdom with modern scientific tools and approaches.