Introducing the Forest Impact Accelerator’s New Partner Cohort – BirdLife International

Report on the 2025 Partner Cohort Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Asociación Armonía, Bolivia

• Project Focus: Conservation and restoration of Tunari National Park through long-term financing. The initiative will establish a mixed Trust Fund to mobilise approximately £3 million annually for forest restoration, wildfire prevention, and the development of sustainable livelihoods with local Quechua communities.
• Key Impact Areas: The project directly supports the conservation of Bolivia’s native Kewiña forests and secures essential water sources for 1.2 million people.

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Fostering sustainable livelihoods for Quechua communities.
2. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Protecting critical water sources for a large urban population.
3. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Implementing wildfire prevention measures and restoring forests to enhance climate resilience.
4. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Conserving and restoring vital forest ecosystems and biodiversity.
5. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Establishing a mixed Trust Fund to create a sustainable financing model for conservation.

NatureLife Cambodia

• Project Focus: Strengthening and expanding the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary (LWS) REDD+ Project. The initiative integrates sustainable agriculture, carbon finance, and biodiversity conservation by scaling up a sustainable cashew initiative to diversify community incomes and reduce reliance on forest exploitation.
• Key Impact Areas: The project aims to create a mutually reinforcing relationship between rural livelihoods and forest protection across a 356,000-hectare protected area.

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Diversifying community incomes through sustainable cashew farming.
2. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Reducing dependence on forest exploitation by providing alternative, sustainable economic activities.
3. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Utilising carbon finance mechanisms (REDD+) to mitigate climate change.
4. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Protecting biodiversity and forest ecosystems within the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary.

ProNatura Sur, Mexico

• Project Focus: Building a Regional Community Forestry Model in the Northern Mountains of Chiapas. The project strengthens community forestry enterprises through improved governance, citizen science-based monitoring, and technical upgrades, while establishing a new 950-hectare Protected Natural Area (PNA) financed through a payment for environmental services (PES) scheme.
• Key Impact Areas: The initiative integrates economic profitability, social inclusion, and long-term forest conservation.

1. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Enhancing the economic viability of community forestry enterprises.
2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Promoting social inclusion within the community forestry model.
3. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Ensuring long-term forest conservation through the establishment of a PNA and sustainable management practices.
4. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Improving forest governance at the community level.

Nature Rwanda

• Project Focus: Restoration and protection of Busaga Forest, a critical habitat for the Critically Endangered Hooded Vulture. The project links forest conservation with community livelihoods through nature-positive financing, sustainable enterprises, ecotourism, and environmental education.
• Key Impact Areas: The initiative focuses on empowering women and youth through financial inclusion and creating a long-term model for conservation finance.

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Creating sustainable enterprises and ecotourism opportunities.
2. SDG 4 (Quality Education): Promoting environmental education within the community.
3. SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Empowering women through financial inclusion and participation in conservation enterprises.
4. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Protecting a newly recognised Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and the habitat of a Critically Endangered species.

Haribon Foundation, Philippines

• Project Focus: The “CommuniTrees” initiative aims to conserve the Mount Irid–Angilo–Binuang Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). The project links community-based forest governance with biodiversity-friendly enterprises and carbon market mechanisms (REDD+, ARR).
• Key Impact Areas: The initiative protects a critical watershed near Metro Manila, the habitat of the Critically Endangered Philippine Eagle, and the ancestral lands of the Dumagat-Remontado Indigenous Peoples.

1. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Conserving a critical watershed that supplies a major metropolitan area.
2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Supporting community-based governance with Indigenous Peoples.
3. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Implementing carbon market mechanisms for afforestation, reforestation, and reduced deforestation.
4. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Protecting a key biodiversity area and the habitat of a flagship Critically Endangered species.

Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)

• Project Focus: Designing a sustainable finance model to protect and restore the Omo Forest Reserve. The initiative will scale forest-friendly enterprises to generate long-term funding for forest management and rural livelihoods.
• Key Impact Areas: The project aims to reduce deforestation, enhance ecosystem resilience, and protect endangered species within a forest reserve vital to the Ogun River Basin.

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Generating long-term funding for rural livelihoods through forest-friendly enterprises.
2. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Protecting the Omo Forest Reserve, which is a vital component of the Ogun River Basin.
3. SDG 13 (Climate Action) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): Reducing deforestation and restoring forest ecosystems to protect biodiversity and enhance climate resilience.

Burung Indonesia

• Project Focus: Preparing the 354,000-hectare Popayato Paguat Landscape for participation in carbon markets. The initiative strengthens local institutions and promotes sustainable agroforestry, particularly cocoa-based systems.
• Key Impact Areas: The project lays the groundwork for long-term financing that supports forest protection, climate mitigation, and community resilience in northern Sulawesi.

1. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Promoting sustainable agroforestry to support local economies.
2. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Aligning conservation with economic goals to facilitate participation in carbon markets for climate mitigation.
3. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Establishing a framework for long-term financing to support forest protection.
4. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Strengthening local institutions to manage conservation and economic development initiatives.

Bird Conservation Nepal

• Project Focus: Conserving the biodiverse Mai Valley Forest Landscape by linking biodiversity conservation with sustainable non-timber forest product (NTFP) enterprises.
• Key Impact Areas: The project promotes equitable participation of women and marginalised groups, builds sustainable local income streams, and establishes a replicable conservation finance model for areas outside Nepal’s formal protected area system.

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty): Building sustainable local income streams through NTFP enterprises.
2. SDG 5 (Gender Equality) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Ensuring the equitable participation of women and marginalised communities in conservation and economic activities.
3. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Developing sustainable enterprises based on non-timber forest products.
4. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Conserving a landscape with high biodiversity, including globally threatened bird species.

Guyra Paraguay

• Project Focus: Conserving and restoring the San Rafael–Tekoha Guasu National Park, a significant tract of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest. The initiative uses a blended finance model that integrates incentivised biodiversity-friendly enterprises, carbon credits, and Indigenous-led governance.
• Key Impact Areas: The project supports the Mbya Guaraní Indigenous communities, protects Paraguay’s first Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), and aims to achieve landscape-scale restoration and legal land security.

1. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) & SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Promoting Indigenous-led governance and securing legal land tenure for local communities.
2. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Utilising carbon credits as part of a blended finance model to support restoration.
3. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Conserving and restoring one of the last large tracts of the Atlantic Forest and its 456 bird species.
4. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Implementing a blended finance model that combines multiple funding streams for conservation.

Nature Kenya

• Project Focus: Building a community-led, financially self-sustaining model for forest restoration and conservation in the Mount Kenya Forest Landscape. The project links forest stewardship with economic incentives by scaling agroforestry and NTFP enterprises (coffee, macadamia, avocado, honey).
• Key Impact Areas: The initiative aims to increase forest cover, enhance biodiversity, improve water security, and provide long-term livelihood opportunities, contributing to Kenya’s national goal of 30% tree cover by 2032.

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Providing long-term livelihood opportunities through sustainable agroforestry and NTFP enterprises.
2. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Improving water security through forest restoration in a critical landscape.
3. SDG 13 (Climate Action) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): Increasing forest cover and enhancing biodiversity to support national climate targets and protect a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Creating a financially self-sustaining, community-led model for conservation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses several conservation and community development initiatives that connect to a range of Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus is on environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods, which directly and indirectly link to the following SDGs:

• SDG 1: No Poverty: Many projects, such as NatureLife Cambodia’s sustainable cashew initiative and Nature Kenya’s agroforestry enterprises, aim to diversify and increase community incomes, reducing dependence on unsustainable practices and alleviating poverty.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The initiatives in Rwanda and Nepal explicitly mention empowering women and ensuring their equitable participation in conservation and economic activities.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The conservation of watersheds is a key theme. For example, Asociación Armonía’s work in Tunari National Park is highlighted as essential for the water sources of 1.2 million people, and the Haribon Foundation’s project protects a critical watershed near Metro Manila.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: All projects focus on creating “sustainable livelihoods,” “biodiversity-friendly enterprises,” and “forest-friendly enterprises” (e.g., ecotourism in Rwanda, community forestry in Mexico, NTFPs in Nepal and Kenya), which promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Several initiatives focus on social inclusion, particularly for Indigenous Peoples (like the Quechua in Bolivia, Dumagat-Remontado in the Philippines, and Mbya Guaraní in Paraguay) and marginalised groups, ensuring they benefit from conservation finance and governance.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article frequently mentions carbon finance mechanisms like REDD+ and afforestation/reforestation (ARR) projects in Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. These initiatives aim to mitigate climate change by protecting forests, which act as carbon sinks.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: This is the most central SDG in the article. Every project is dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, including protecting forests, halting biodiversity loss (e.g., Critically Endangered species like the Philippine Eagle and Hooded Vulture), and combating deforestation.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Projects in Mexico, the Philippines, and Indonesia emphasize strengthening local institutions and improving forest governance through community-based models and Indigenous-led governance, promoting inclusive and participatory decision-making.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire article, which profiles a “2025 Partner Cohort,” is an example of partnerships. The initiatives rely on blended finance models, trust funds, and collaborations between local communities, conservation organizations, and potentially carbon markets to achieve their goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities described, the following specific SDG targets are relevant:

1. Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property…
   • Explanation: Projects like Guyra Paraguay’s focus on “legal land security” for Indigenous communities and Bird Conservation Nepal’s aim to build “sustainable local income streams” directly address this target by securing economic resources and land rights for local and marginalised groups.
2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
   • Explanation: Nature Rwanda’s initiative to “empower women and youth through financial inclusion” and Bird Conservation Nepal’s promotion of “equitable participation of women and marginalised groups” align with this target.
3. Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
   • Explanation: The work of Asociación Armonía to conserve Tunari National Park, which contains “essential water sources for 1.2 million people,” and the Haribon Foundation’s project in a “critical watershed” are direct efforts to protect and restore water-related forest ecosystems.
4. Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation…
   • Explanation: The initiatives promote models where livelihoods are not dependent on “forest exploitation.” NatureLife Cambodia’s project, for instance, aims to “diversify community incomes and reduce dependence on forest exploitation,” directly linking economic activity with sustainable resource use.
5. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • Explanation: The use of carbon market mechanisms like REDD+ (in Cambodia and the Philippines) and the preparation for carbon markets (in Indonesia) represent the integration of climate mitigation strategies into local and regional conservation planning.
6. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests…
   • Explanation: This target is central to every initiative described, from ProNatura Sur’s creation of a 950-hectare Protected Natural Area to the Nigerian Conservation Foundation’s goal to “protect and restore the Omo Forest Reserve.”
7. Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
   • Explanation: Nature Kenya’s initiative explicitly aims to “increase forest cover” and “reduce illegal logging,” contributing to Kenya’s national target of 30% tree cover. This directly reflects the goals of halting deforestation and increasing reforestation.
8. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • Explanation: Several projects are focused on protecting habitats for specific threatened species, such as Nature Rwanda’s work at the breeding site of the “Critically Endangered Hooded Vulture” and the Haribon Foundation’s conservation of the habitat for the “Critically Endangered Philippine Eagle.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Financial Indicators:
  • Amount of finance mobilized: Asociación Armonía’s project is projected to “mobilise £3 million annually” through a Trust Fund. This is a direct measure of financial resources for conservation (relevant to SDG 17).
  • Establishment of financing schemes: The creation of a “payment for environmental services (PES) scheme” by ProNatura Sur and the integration of “carbon credits” by Guyra Paraguay are measurable outcomes.
• Geospatial and Environmental Indicators:
  • Area of land under protection/restoration: Specific figures are given, such as the “356,000-hectare protected area” in Cambodia, the new “950-hectare Protected Natural Area” in Mexico, and the “354,000-hectare mosaic of forests” in Indonesia.
  • Increase in forest/tree cover: Nature Kenya’s initiative supports a national target of “30% tree cover by 2032,” implying that progress can be measured as a percentage increase in cover.
  • Reduction in deforestation: The Nigerian Conservation Foundation explicitly aims to “reduce deforestation,” which can be monitored using satellite imagery and field data.
• Socio-economic Indicators:
  • Number and type of sustainable enterprises established: The article mentions scaling up “sustainable cashew initiative” (Cambodia), “sawmill operations” (Mexico), “ecotourism” (Rwanda), and “NTFP enterprises” (Nepal, Kenya). The number of these enterprises and the income they generate are key indicators.
  • Diversification of community incomes: This is a stated goal for NatureLife Cambodia and can be measured through household income surveys.
  • Participation of specific groups: The “equitable participation of women and marginalised groups” (Nepal) and the empowerment of “women and youth” (Rwanda) can be measured through participation rates in governance and enterprise ownership.
• Biodiversity Indicators:
  • Conservation status of key species: The continued presence and potential population recovery of species like the Hooded Vulture, Philippine Eagle, and Grey Parrot serve as indicators of project success in protecting biodiversity.
  • Number of bird species in a protected area: The mention of “over 375 bird species” in Nepal and “456 bird species” in Paraguay establishes a baseline against which the health of the ecosystem can be monitored.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: birdlife.org