Knowledge hub

An effective forest policy requires appropriate decisions regarding the management and use of forest resources. Forest policy and management, however, are areas which are not well structured despite their high complexity. Recent advances in information processing technologies, as well as an unprecedent ease of information exchange, provide us with new abilities for better management of forest ecosystems and the services they provide. Forest Information Systems (FIS) aim to facilitate this issue by providing tools to assist gathering forest information, making them accessible for informed decisions, monitoring their results, and correcting existing policies. An FIS can increase operational efficiencies, bring cost reductions, supply better information for decision-makers, and through this contribute to the improvement of forest ecosystem services and state governance. They can also be a strategic tool for economic development, and a solution for increased transparency and participation expected by modern societies. This capacity building guidance outlines how these technological advances can be used to improve modern forest policy making and natural resources management. 

Forest loss, landscape degradation and decline in ecosystems services is growing across the Caucasus and Central Asia region. Recent initiatives and policy developments demonstrate strong signs of commitment to restoring degraded landscapes.

Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management provide a framework for comprehensive forest reporting, which defines, guides, monitors and assess progress toward sustainable forest management.

Sustainable Urban and Peri-urban Forestry - An Integrative and Inclusive Nature-Based Solution for Green Recovery and Sustainable, Healthy and Resilient Cities (EFR)