New project to strengthen forest governance in Colombia

The Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) will lead new research on how international agreements and local knowledge can work together to protect tropical forests in Colombia.
The Research Council of Norway has awarded NOK 12.49 million (approx. USD 1.1 million) to DIVERSIFOREST-Colombia, a new research project led by Research Professor Regine Andersen at FNI. The project will examine how international environmental agreements can support sustainable, rights-based forest governance in Colombia, in close collaboration with Indigenous peoples and local communities in the Amazon.

‘This funding gives us an opportunity to connect global environmental policy with local realities on the ground. Achieving climate, biodiversity and development goals requires understanding how these processes intersect in everyday life,’ says Andersen.

Linking global agreements with local practice

The project will study how two key international frameworks – the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture – can reinforce each other when implemented in tandem. The aim is to support local communities in developing sustainable forest management practices, new livelihood opportunities and improved food security.

A central component will be to map and document the diversity of wild edible plants, traditional crop varieties and underutilised species. Many of these plants are highly adapted to sustainable forest use and are essential for both ecosystems and local diets.

Local knowledge at the centre

Indigenous peoples and other local communities play a crucial role in forest conservation. The project places strong emphasis on participation, local knowledge and co-creation. Fieldwork will be carried out in partnership with communities in Guaviare and Caquetá, where researchers will analyse ongoing initiatives, identify what works, and explore how successful solutions can be strengthened and scaled up.

‘Indigenous peoples are not just affected by these issues – they also hold the key to many of the solutions. They have managed these forests for centuries, and without their knowledge and perspectives we will not succeed in protecting them or ensuring future food security,’ Andersen says.

Global relevance – including for Norway

Norway has long been a key supporter of rainforest conservation and international forest cooperation in the Amazon.
‘This project will provide important knowledge about what actually works, and why. It’s about understanding how global agreements can translate into real change in local communities. If we succeed in reducing deforestation here, we also reduce global greenhouse gas emissions,’ says Andersen.

Broad partnerships and future expertise

The project brings together a broad range of partners, including Rainforest Foundation Norway, Caritas in Norway and Colombia, National University of Colombia, the research institute Agrosavia and the NGO Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development (FCDS). This collaboration ensures strong local ownership and scientific breadth.

‘Colombia has struggled with deforestation for decades, but in recent years we’ve seen signs of improvement. This project allows us to understand the driving forces behind those changes – and how successful approaches can be strengthened and shared,’ Andersen explains.
The project also includes funding for two PhD candidates – one based in Colombia and one at FNI’s headquarters at Polhøgda, outside Oslo.

DIVERSIFOREST-Colombia will run from 2025 to 2029.