Sustainable and Inclusive Governance Program
The Sustainable and Inclusive Landscape Governance (SILG) Program is a joint program of Forest Foundation and Tropenbos International through the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA). It collaboratively promotes to collaboratively promote inclusive and sustainable landscape governance in forested landscapes in the Philippines
The SILG Program has 3 outcome pathways that are anchored on the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA) main pathways:
Pathway A:
Empowering indigenous peoples and local communities
Pathway B:
Linking science and research with programs and policies for climate smart forestry
Pathway C:
Inclusive participation of landscape stakeholders
Pathway A:
Empowering indigenous peoples and local communities
At a Glance
Pathway A strengthened the leadership, rights, and capacities of Indigenous Peoples and local communities across key forest landscapes. From policy dialogues and youth training to governance documentation and gender analysis, these initiatives created enabling conditions for community voices to shape forest governance and restoration efforts.
Key initiatives included:
- Policy dialogues with government and CSOs to improve regulations on almaciga tapping and trade in Palawan.
- Capacity-building programs for indigenous and local youth in facilitation, project management, financial management, and storytelling for advocacy.
- Gender analysis on power and participation in natural resource management across key landscapes.
- GEDSI audit of Forest Foundation Philippines to strengthen inclusivity in internal systems and programs.
- Multi-phase initiative to strengthen Dumagat leadership and document indigenous governance and political structures in Quezon
Key Outcomes
Strengthened Indigenous Leadership
Advancing Inclusivity
Preservation of Cultural Integrity
Pathway B:
Linking science and research with programs and policies for climate smart forestry
At a Glance
Policy and Governance
- Conducted national consultations and published a policy brief on devolved forest management functions under the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling.
- Produced research on drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Southern Sierra Madre, incorporating gender and COVID-19 lenses to influence policy and program responses.
Research and Knowledge Products
- Advanced reforestation strategies through the “Katutubo: Tree Woodlots in Rice Agriculture” study, exploring how dipterocarps can be integrated into rice farming systems.
- Collaboratively developed insights with local communities through the project “The Futures of People and Forest”, using participatory scenario-building and backcasting to respond to threats like climate change and the Kaliwa Dam.
Research and Knowledge Products
- Supported the capacity development of Philippine negotiators and advisers for COP28 and COP29, strengthening expertise in climate finance, loss and damage, adaptation, and just transition.
- Provided technical and advisory support to DENR at international climate negotiations, ensuring stronger representation of Philippine priorities.
- Organized GLA Learning Sessions on the UNFCCC to build awareness among civil society and local partners, while also introducing gamified advocacy tools like “Solusyon ang Negosasyon.”
Key Outcomes
Enhanced Climate Leadership
Richer evidence for decision-making
More inclusive advocacy
Pathway C:
Inclusive participation of landscape stakeholders
At a Glance
Through Pathway C, the program emphasized collaboration, dialogue, and co-creation to ensure stakeholders’ perspectives were represented in landscape governance.
Key initiatives included:
- Revisiting GLA 1.0 Dialogue in Southern Palawan, surfacing gaps in IP representation and policy coherence
- Landscape Governance Course in Southern Sierra Madre with practical tools for negotiation, collaboration, and co-creation
- BioChamps Youth Camps evolving into a youth-led forest protection and advocacy movement
- Solusyon ang Negosasyon Land Use Negotiation Board Game promoting empathy and dialogue
- Creative knowledge products and merchandise co-developed with partners and youth for wider advocacy reach
- ATM National Youth Network Assembly gathering youth leaders for a collective action agenda
- Digital Training Course on Environmental Policy Advocacy building CSO lobbying capacity
Key Outcomes
Empowered Youth Leadership
Cultural and Identity Pride
Innovative Engagemment Models
