The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), a leading knowledge-led platform and community on sustainable land use, welcomes 12 community-led initiatives to its global network of chapters, GLFx.
Selected from 818 applicants, these initiatives join 50 existing GLFx chapters spanning 33 countries, involving over 70,000 people across 400 landscape restoration activities, involving both the ecosystems and their inhabitants.
“GLFx is exceptional at connecting us with the key partners and institutions we need to talk about scaling our Food Forest project, and with landscape leaders who are eager to join us in restoring landscapes, which family farmers depend on.” – Gerald Nkusi, Coordinator of GLFx Virunga, a Uganda-based chapter active since 2024.
The 12 new GLFx chapters are led by women, Indigenous people, youth and Afro-descendants, and their work focuses mainly on climate adaptation, ecopreneurship and biodiversity conservation within a variety of ecosystems across the globe.
These independent local organizations will gain new opportunities for partnerships, networking, learning, global exposure and participation in international events, as well as access to seed funding for sustainable landscape management.
In Africa, five new chapters join the GLFx network in 2026
GLFx Sidama is the first GLFx chapter in Ethiopia. Led by the Integrated Women’s Development Organization, the chapter connects this women-led initiative to a global network for the first time. Its approach involves restoring communal and private farmland while expanding women-based small farms management, and it aims to tackle land degradation, the climate crisis, gender inequality, high unemployment and poor farm productivity.
“This is the first time that our organization has had the chance to collaborate with different community-based organizations, associations, nongovernmental organizations, researchers and funding agents at the global level. It will help expand best practices and successful stories to other communities.” – GLFx Sidama team.
GLFx Machakos, led by the Kijani Mtaani initiative in Kenya, is restoring degraded landscapes, strengthening livelihoods and enhancing wellbeing by focusing on local knowledge, inclusive participation and long-term stewardship. It co-designs nature-based solutions covering restoration, climate resilience, learning and care with young people and local communities.
“What truly drives our work is seeing communities, especially young people, reconnect with their land and realise their power to care for it and shape healthier, more resilient neighbourhoods for the future.” – Sandra Kwamboka, Communications Officer, Kijani Mtaani, GLFx Machakos
GLFx Sambirano, led by SoaRoots ReForest in Madagascar, is a women-led social enterprise restoring landscapes by designing and supporting reforestation initiatives. Working with farmers, children and schools, companies, associations, and local authorities, its approach covers the circular economy, agriculture, agroforestry, food security, improved livelihoods and sustainable activities in dry and moist forests.
“We are in service of reforestation that transforms lives and landscapes, and for us, joining GLFx means growing through diversity, collaboration and recognition.” – GLFx Sambirano team.
GLFx Msimbazi, led by the Environmental Conservation Community of Tanzania (ECCT), is an initiative managed by youth and women that aims to create lasting environmental and social impact by restoring degraded ecosystems, particularly through mangrove restoration and coastal regreening. Working with women and youth in ecosystem restoration and ecopreneurship, the initiative also tackles plastic waste and promotes sustainable fashion.
“Joining the GLFx network is a tremendous opportunity for ECCT. It empowers our team to exchange knowledge, amplify community-led restoration, and scale innovative environmental solutions. Being part of this global platform strengthens our capacity to inspire youth and women, drive climate action, and build a sustainable, resilient future for Tanzania.” – GLFx Msimbazi team
GLFx Kalangala is led by Beautiful Periods Uganda and based on the Ssese Islands of Lake Victoria. Formed within the School Food Forest Initiative, it helps the community restore damaged land and improve nutrition and livelihoods through self-sufficient food systems. It works with youth and women in agroforestry, tree nurseries management and environmental education, while also addressing period stigmas and hygiene issues.
“Being a part of the GLFx network connects us to a worldwide group that cares about restoration led by local people and learning together. For our team, this is a chance to make sure the voices of island groups in Kalangala are heard, to learn from others in different areas, and to get better at restoring nature while also improving how people live.” – Namulindwa Brendah, Co-founder, Beautiful Periods Uganda, GLFx Kalangala
Other chapters joining GLFx this year are:
📍 Asia-Pacific:
- GLFx Buton, spearheaded by the Indigenous-led initiative Sekolah Rakyat Butuni (SERABUT) in the island of Buton, Indonesia.
- GLFx Wabag-Enga, led by the Wabag District Coffee Growers Cooperative Society and the first GLFx chapter in Papua New Guinea.
- GLFx Vanuatu, led by Mitingar Women & Girls Association and the first GLFx chapter in Vanuatu.
📍Latin America
- GLFx Wikina Wos, led by Alianza Wichi, working with Indigenous peoples in Argentina.
- GLFx Cerrado Goiano, spearheaded by the women-led initiative Pró-Onça Institute in Brazil.
- GLFx Napo-Cotopaxi, led by Fundación Ecosistemas en Acción (ECO-ACCIÓN) in Ecuador.
- GLFx Sisal, led by the community youth group Reciclando Dunas in Mexico.
“GLFx embodies the aspirations of locally-rooted organizations to connect, collaborate and restore the landscapes that sustain life and community wellbeing. Together, we are shaping a trust-based partnership model where tailored opportunities and resources go hand in hand with supporting and advocating for local agency and landscape leadership, ultimately making global restoration goals grounded and possible.” – Ana Yi, GLFx Coordinator at the Global Landscapes Forum.
Explore all the GLFx chapters, including the more than 25 existing ones in Africa, here.
