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About the project

The European Union’s Landscapes for Our Future programme supports 22 integrated landscape management projects across 19 countries and 3 sub-regions across the Global South.

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South America and the Caribbean

Africa

Asia

Designing for engagement: A Realist Synthesis Review of how context affects the outcomes of multi-stakeholder forums on land use and/or land-use change

This Realist Synthesis Review analyses scholarly literature on multi-stakeholder forums (MSFs) for sustainable land use. It focusses on subnational MSFs involving grassroots and government actors. The review highlights key contextual variables and identifies four common lessons: commitment, engagement of implementers, openness to stakeholders, and adaptive design. Successful MSFs are recognized as part of a transformative process, involve research and meetings, build consensus and commitment, and prioritize adaptive learning. The central lesson is to design for engagement that addresses the context for greater success.
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Designing for engagement: Insights for more equitable and resilient multi-stakeholder forums

A process that is engaged, committed and adaptive allows for all actors to build trust, and thus has the best chance of success moving forward. This literature review highlights the importance of engagement within an MSF.
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Download in English, French or Spanish here

How are we doing? A tool to reflect on the process, progress and priorities of your multi-stakeholder forum

This handbook introduces "How are we doing?", a tool for participatory monitoring in multi-stakeholder forums (MSFs). It helps MSF participants reflect, assess progress, and plan for achieving their goals. Developed in collaboration with MSF members, it focuses on inclusive decision-making and collective learning.
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Download in English, French or Spanish here

How does context affect the outcomes of multi-stakeholder forums on land use and/or land-use change?: A Realist Synthesis Review of the scholarly literature

This protocol outlines a Realist Synthesis Review (RSR) that analyses the global scholarly literature on multi-stakeholder forums (MSFs) addressing land use and land-use change. MSFs bring diverse stakeholders together to address common challenges and achieve shared goals. The review aims to understand how contextual factors influence MSF outcomes. It contributes to the study of MSFs and participatory processes, addressing concerns about top-down approaches and emphasizing meaningful engagement. The RSR methodology provides empirical insights and advances social science research methods.
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Introduction – Multi-stakeholder forums and the promise of more equitable and sustainable land and resource use: perspectives from Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Peru

This Special Issue of the International Forestry Review presents a multi-country comparative research project by CIFOR, exploring the potential of multi-stakeholder forums (MSFs) as participatory mechanisms for sustainable land and resource use. The seven papers analyse power inequalities inherent in MSFs and discuss their capacity for equitable decision-making. While approaching MSFs from different perspectives, the papers emphasize the need for transformative MSFs that go beyond mere participation to achieve meaningful change.
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The role of multi-stakeholder forums in subnational jurisdictions: Framing literature review for in-depth field research

Drawing on 30+ years of experience, this Literature Review informs CIFOR's research on multi-stakeholder forums addressing land use in Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Peru. It explores the potential of MSFs to coordinate goals effectively while cautioning against token participation and aims to contribute to the study of participatory processes in the context of climate change.
Published by CIFOR
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Models of participation in multi-stakeholder forums: Results of a realist synthesis review

Context and process are both vital for a MSF to succeed, but at times they can be ignored. This review shows that the more successful MSFs view context not as an obstacle, but instead design their initiatives to respond to it.
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Download in English, French or Spanish here

The role of multi-stakeholder forums in subnational jurisdictions: Methods training manual and tools for in-depth research

CIFOR's Methods Training Manual for in-depth field research examines multi-stakeholder forums (MSFs) addressing land use in Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Peru. It highlights the potential and pitfalls of MSFs, emphasizing the need for genuine participation. This timely research aims to contribute empirically to understanding MSFs and their role in addressing climate change and development trajectories.
Published by CIFOR
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Overcoming the coupled climate and biodiversity crises and their societal impacts

Climate change and biodiversity loss are interconnected crises with severe social and ecological impacts. Pörtner et al. propose solutions such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting landscapes and seascapes, and ensuring equitable resource access. These actions are vital for ecological function and human well-being.
Published by Science
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Designing for engagement: Insights for more equitable and resilient multi-stakeholder forums

A literature review that looks closely at the importance of engagement, allowing all actors to build trust and respect to ensure an approach that can lead to equitable outcomes.
Published by CIFOR
Read here

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