{"id":182560,"date":"2024-07-29T15:39:54","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T14:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=182560"},"modified":"2026-01-07T17:19:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T16:19:13","slug":"survey-confirms-civic-space-in-tropical-forest-landscapes-is-under-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/survey-confirms-civic-space-in-tropical-forest-landscapes-is-under-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"Survey confirms civic space in tropical forest landscapes is under pressure"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Effective forest conservation and Indigenous peoples and local communities (IP&amp;LC)-led forest governance can only be achieved in a context where civil society organisations (CSOs) and IP&amp;LCs can act in a safe operational space. A survey carried out by the <a href=\"https:\/\/greenlivelihoodsalliance.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Green Livelihoods Alliance<\/a> (GLA), of which IUCN NL is part in 2023 showed that partners and communities in the GLA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/project\/forests-for-a-just-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Forests for a Just Future programme<\/a> experience difficulties in their civic freedom, seriously impacting their work to protect forests and the livelihoods of IP&amp;LCs in forest landscapes.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Header photo: <em>Forest patrol on Sumatra \u00a9 Stephanie Broekaerts \/ IUCN NL<\/em><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>In all GLA countries <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_182560_1('footnote_plugin_reference_182560_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_182560_1('footnote_plugin_reference_182560_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_182560_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_182560_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">The countries where the Green Livelihoods Alliance operates are: Bolivia, Cameroon, Colombia, DR Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Liberia, Malaysia, Philippines, Uganda, and Vietnam.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_182560_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_182560_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script> civic space is diminishing, and either <a href=\"https:\/\/monitor.civicus.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rated as closed, repressed or obstructed<\/a>. The GLA civic space survey showed that GLA partners experience difficulties in all their civic freedoms, in particular Access to Information, (Women) Environmental Human Rights Defenders ((W)EHRDS) Protection, Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly. GLA partners and communities experienced all types of retaliation, ranging from physical attacks to political repression. Some pressing issues include restrictive legislation (e.g. on foreign funding), red-tagging, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Strategic_lawsuit_against_public_participation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SLAPPs<\/a> (cases filed against individuals or organisations who speak out on issues of public interest or concern to intimidate them and inflict costs), negative framing, misinformation \/ fake news and cyber bullying.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Civic space survey<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The civic space survey was conducted by the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA) in 2023.&nbsp; The survey looked into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/sites\/default\/files\/Documents\/Issues\/CivicSpace\/UN_Guidance_Note.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OECD dimensions of open civic space<\/a>: civic freedoms; citizen\/CSO participation; CSO-enabling environment; media and digital rights, and freedom and security of those who speak up. It provided useful insights into how GLA partners in the 11 countries of implementation experience civic space and the ability to exercise their human rights.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The findings show that GLA partners face many types of restrictions, both formal (legal, regulative, administrative) and informal (e.g. intimidation, stigmatising, loss of legitimacy). Many IP&amp;LC leaders and (W)EHRDs are subject to arbitrary arrests and assault, retaliatory litigation and even death.&nbsp;The top three difficulties experienced by GLA partners are Access to Information, Threats to (W)EHRDs and Loss of Legitimacy and Criminalisation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>\u2018Our organisation is the victim of a political trial (disguised as an administrative trial) promoted by the government, in retaliation for the actions we develop, investigating and disseminating critical information on economic and environmental policies and their impacts on human rights. This judgment has affected us and hangs over us like a permanent threat.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div><cite>&#8211; African GLA partner organisation<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No access to information<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>There is a lack of access to information from the government or companies in relation to extractive projects, for example oil extraction or mining for critical minerals, which have an impact on nature and on the rights of IP&amp;LCs. This greatly complicates the work of GLA partners, because not only are they not (timely) informed of these projects, but they are also not provided with relevant documentation on the project, making it difficult for them to object to the development of these projects through legal means.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Threats to (W)EHRDs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Unfortunately, the survey also confirmed findings revealed in the most recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalwitness.org\/en\/campaigns\/environmental-activists\/standing-firm\/\">Global Witness report<\/a> regarding the situation of (W)EHRDs. This report shows that in 2022 at least 177 (W)EHRDs were killed for trying to protect human rights, their land and the environment and that more and more (W)EHRDs are threatened by violence, intimidation and curtailment of their rights. Almost all GLA partners working in Africa, South-America and Southeast Asia experience both the physical and non-physical threats described in the report.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Loss of legitimacy and criminalisation<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Governments in GLA partner countries also implement legislation that makes it, for example, more difficult to receive funds from abroad or that requires CSOs to be registered with a government agency. This registration can then be revoked at will by these government agencies, which can cause the CSO in question to lose its legitimacy. CSOs and its employees are also criminalised by falsely linking them to communist organisations which happens, for example, in the Philippines. These unsubstantiated allegations are often followed by threats or physical surveillance, eventually leading to attacks, arrest, detention or death by security forces or \u2018unidentified persons\/groups\u2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Power inequalities<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Another aspect that is very important to understand in this regard are the power inequalities that GLA partners deal with. Combating deforestation and related human rights violations requires the ability of CSOs and IP&amp;LCs to stand up against vested interests. Structural power inequality between corporate actors (e.g. mining and plantation companies) and government elites on the one hand, and IP&amp;LCs on the other, is a major underlying cause of deforestation, displacement of people from their lands and human rights violations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>These power inequalities prevent the voices of IP&amp;LCs, especially women and youth, from being heard in institutionalised decision-making processes. Not only do vested powers dominate these arenas, but limited resources restrict IP&amp;LCs, community-based organisations (CBOs), CSOs and women\u2019s rights and youth organisations to participate in social movements and resist powerful actors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GLA approach towards securing civic space and protecting (W)EHRDs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>GLA works towards securing the civic space for CSOs and (W)EHRDs, so that they can stand up for their rights, livelihoods and forests. GLA supports these (W)EHRDs in a variety of ways to protect themselves against threats and in dealing with repression. Our approach is&nbsp;multi-faceted, both preventive and responsive, and includes, amongst others:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Strengthening the rights, voice, position of IP&amp;LCs,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(Country \/ regional \/ international) network and solidarity building,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting access to justice,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trainings on safety &amp; security of partners and communities,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Providing emergency funds,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using UN mechanisms (<a href=\"https:\/\/unsdg.un.org\/2030-agenda\/strengthening-international-human-rights\/universal-periodic-review#:~:text=The%20objective%20of%20the%20UPR,ratified%20by%20the%20State%20concerned\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Universal Periodic Review<\/a>, Special Rapporteur etc.),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contributing to regional environmental human rights protection mechanisms such as <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Escaz%C3%BA_Agreement\">Escazu<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/apned.net\/asean-environmental-rights-framework\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASEAN framework on environmental human rights<\/a>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Policy advocacy (country \/ regional \/ international) for more favorable policies and against policies that would further restrict civic space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GLA successes<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Despite the challenging context, our efforts have in many cases enhanced the security of our partners. We also prevented the adoption of several laws and policies that would have further restricted civic space in some countries. We have also made progress at the EU level, for instance on due diligence legislation for companies. However, it is an uphill battle: the global trend of more autocratic regimes continues steadily, ensuring that we often already consider preventing (further) deterioration of civic space a \u2018success\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The survey report provided useful insights and recommendations that are taken forward in the remainder of the programme.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/07\/GLA-Civic-Space-Summary-report-2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read the summary of the civic space report<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Forests for a Just Future programme<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Through the Forests for a Just Future programme by the Green Livelihoods Alliance, IUCN NL contributes to more sustainable and inclusive management of tropical forests that supports climate mitigation and adaptation, human rights, and the livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read more<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/our-work\/human-rights-and-nature\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Our work for human rights &amp; nature<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/our-work\/forests-and-climate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Our work for climate &amp; forests<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-primary\" id=\"block_3799630977f980a9683d881b5c83a4ad\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n\n<div class=\"smallteam-members__name12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n\t<div id=\"team-members-block_5e9cfc78a95b670d5321505132bb3ce0\" class=\"team-members team-members-block block\">\n\t\t<span class=\"anchor-id\" id=\"\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"team-members__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<div>Learn more?<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"team-members__body small-12 grid-x\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__item grid-x small-12 medium-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image cell shrink\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/antoinette-sprenger\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image-wrapper lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/80IUCN-171219-1-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/80IUCN-171219-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Antoinette Sprenger\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; 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Strategies and lessons for water justice\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/what-did-iucn-nl-do-for-nature-in-2025-read-our-annual-report\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-trapcam-being-installed-in-Uganda-\u00a9-Andrew-Kartende-IUCN-NL-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-trapcam-being-installed-in-Uganda-\u00a9-Andrew-Kartende-IUCN-NL-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-trapcam-being-installed-in-Uganda-\u00a9-Andrew-Kartende-IUCN-NL-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            What did IUCN NL do for nature in 2025? Read our annual report\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/critical-minerals-and-the-western-chimpanzee-how-bauxite-mining-threatens-one-of-west-africas-last-strongholds\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Critical minerals and the western chimpanzee: how bauxite mining threatens one of West Africa\u2019s last strongholds\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/statement-invest-in-local-leadership-for-tropical-forest-management-and-local-economies\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Statement: Invest in local leadership for tropical forest management and local economies\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"show-for-small-only\">\n                <div class=\"orbit\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Read more about human rights and nature\" data-orbit>\n                    <div class=\"orbit-wrapper\">\n                        <ul class=\"orbit-container\">\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/interweaving-waters-forests-and-communities-strategies-and-lessons-for-water-justice\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-12-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-12-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-12-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Report: Interweaving waters, forests, and communities &#8211; Strategies and lessons for water justice\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/what-did-iucn-nl-do-for-nature-in-2025-read-our-annual-report\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-trapcam-being-installed-in-Uganda-\u00a9-Andrew-Kartende-IUCN-NL-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-trapcam-being-installed-in-Uganda-\u00a9-Andrew-Kartende-IUCN-NL-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-trapcam-being-installed-in-Uganda-\u00a9-Andrew-Kartende-IUCN-NL-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            What did IUCN NL do for nature in 2025? Read our annual report\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/critical-minerals-and-the-western-chimpanzee-how-bauxite-mining-threatens-one-of-west-africas-last-strongholds\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Critical minerals and the western chimpanzee: how bauxite mining threatens one of West Africa\u2019s last strongholds\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/statement-invest-in-local-leadership-for-tropical-forest-management-and-local-economies\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Statement: Invest in local leadership for tropical forest management and local economies\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                <\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <nav class=\"orbit-bullets\">\n                                                                            <button class=\"is-active\" data-slide=\"0\">\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\" data-slide-active-label><\/span>\n                        <\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"1\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"2\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"3\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                <\/nav>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><h2><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_182560_1();\">Index<\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_182560_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_182560_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/h2><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_182560_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\">Index<\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_182560_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_182560_1_1');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_182560_1_1\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">The countries where the Green Livelihoods Alliance operates are: Bolivia, Cameroon, Colombia, DR Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Liberia, Malaysia, Philippines, Uganda, and Vietnam.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_182560_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_182560_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_182560_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_182560_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_182560_1').hide(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_182560_1').text('+'); } function footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_182560_1() { if (jQuery('#footnote_references_container_182560_1').is(':hidden')) { footnote_expand_reference_container_182560_1(); } else { footnote_collapse_reference_container_182560_1(); } } function footnote_moveToReference_182560_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_182560_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } } function footnote_moveToAnchor_182560_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_182560_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } }<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Effective forest conservation and Indigenous peoples and local communities (IP&amp;LC)-led forest governance can only be achieved in a context where civil society organisations (CSOs) and IP&amp;LCs can act in a safe operational space. A survey carried out by the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA), of which IUCN NL is part in 2023 showed that partners and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":380978,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[179,181,183],"class_list":["post-182560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-publication","tag-forests-for-a-just-future-en","tag-gender-equality","tag-human-rights-and-nature"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182560"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182560\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":409990,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182560\/revisions\/409990"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/380978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}