Reflections on the P4F Forum 2023: The Power of Partnerships
Last month, Regeneration had the chance to attend the Partnerships For Forests (P4F) Annual Forum, alongside over 300 P4F partners and stakeholders from across the world. With P4F having recently passed a significant milestone – channelling £1 billion in private investment into tropical forests and sustainable land use – this was an exciting time to be in attendance.
Team leader of Partnerships for Forests, Katie McCoy delivering the opening speech of the forum (Photo credit: P4F).
Since 2016, P4F has been building partnerships, providing grants and technical assistance, and creating the enabling conditions for sustainable investment in tropical forests. P4F’s work helps to deliver on commitments for deforestation-free commodities, reduce pressure on forests, and improve livelihoods.
As well as opportunities to connect with and learn from P4F’s inspiring partners, the forum offered side-sessions on some of the most pressing issues faced by the forests and land use sector. Amongst all the expert insights and stories shared, the resounding message of the forum was clear: partnerships are crucial.
Public-private partnerships have proved an effective structure for catalysing investment and re-directing finance towards smallholder farmers who practice regenerative agriculture. This is essential given that smallholders often face barriers to accessing finance, with most institutions and investment facilities perceiving them as high risk.
Panelists at the side session on scaling land restoration successes in East Africa (Photo credit: P4F).
For example, in one of the forum’s side-sessions, a panellist from an African development agency, explained how by building trust and good relationships with investors, P4F’s partnerships have been able to reduce this risk and re-direct finance to smallholders. Efforts like this are helping to scale landscape restoration and agroforestry in East Africa.
According to a leading coffee processor and exporter in East Africa, collaboration has not only unlocked finance for sustainable landscape management, but for the farmers themselves, effectively supporting their livelihoods and increasing resilience. This provides farmers with a strong business case to engage in regenerative practices in an increasingly competitive coffee marketplace.
Partnerships were also at the centre of discussions on transformational change in Latin America. Aside from unlocking finance to scale regenerative practices and support farmers, collaboration is helping to shape the policy space within which these projects operate. According to a representative from an environmental banking company, strong relationships between the private sector and communities help to strengthen carbon and nature policy, influencing decision-making, and enforcing standards of accountability and transparency.
The power of partnerships in shaping enabling conditions was also emphasised by a panellist from a company managing agroforestry investments and landscape restoration projects. Drawing on examples from their work, they explained how communities and NGOs are working together to formalise and gain security on tenure arrangements around restoration opportunities. The goal, explained the panellist, is not necessarily zero deforestation, but to effectively integrate sustainable forestry practices into protection models which can sustain the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
Regeneration’s Pipeline Development and Impact Lead, David Wallis, representing Regeneration at the forum (Photo credit: P4F).
Ultimately, finding solutions to problems as complex and pressing as climate change and deforestation requires significant collaboration. Regeneration recognises the invaluable role that partnerships play in accelerating the restoration of nature and protection of our planet for future generations. By working with and connecting corporate buyers, investors, donors, and market access players, Regeneration builds value chains for regenerative tropical commodities, protecting standing forest and promoting forest growth.
Ydir Vissers, Managing Director of Regeneration, says: “Regeneration’s team has a proven track record of working on multi-year nature protection and restoration programs in the tropics. The approach of P4F, which has successfully transitioned over 5 million hectares of land in the tropical south towards sustainable practices, has helped us to grow our network and refine our approach.”