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The Green Livelihoods Alliance signs Strategic Partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
the Netherlands - 24 November, 2015
On 23 November 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an alliance consisting of Milieudefensie, IUCN NL and Tropenbos International - together called the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA) - signed a strategic partnership. Through this partnership, Tropenbos International and its partners aim to strengthen the role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the inclusive and sustainable governance of forested landscapes and restoration of degraded landscapes. This will be done by strengthening their capacities al to influence governmental and corporate policies and practices. A better governance of forested landscapes will benefit local people, their economic and social development, and contribute to reduced deforestation.
The partnership is part of the Dialogue and Dissent policy framework established by Minister Lilianne Ploumen. Under this umbrella, 25 civil society organizations or alliances, together with the Ministry will strengthen CSOs’ capacity for ‘lobbying and advocacy’ in low- and low-middle income countries. Better lobbying and advocacy capacities provide a way for CSOs to contribute to inclusive growth and development and help reduce inequality. This is particularly relevant in environments where policymakers and companies need to be held to account.
The Strategic Partnership between the GLA and the Ministry focuses on CSO roles in the sustainable governance of forested landscapes. It will be carried out in Ghana, DR Congo, Nigeria, Uganda, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Bolivia, Paraguay and other low and low-middle income countries. In these countries the GLA will support CSOs by strengthening their capacity to advocate and influence at local, national and international levels, based on sound knowledge of sustainable land management and thorough monitoring of local developments. This partnership creates an opportunity for Tropenbos International, Milieudefensie and IUCN NL to join forces and coordinate their lobbying and advocacy instruments and methods and increase their overall effectiveness.