Forest and Landscape Restoration Hub launched in Mozambique

The event started with a presentation to the Government of Nampula Province that provided an opportunity to align on the project’s objectives, expected results and the role of provincial institutions in its implementation ahead of the formal launch. The programme continued the following day in Ribáuè District with the official launch ceremony—including symbolic tree planting, institutional remarks, cultural performances and active participation from local communities—that welcomed representatives from government, the private sector, civil society organisations, academia and research institutions.  

The ceremony was opened by the Secretary of State for Land and Environment, who highlighted the project’s relevance in supporting the implementation of national restoration priorities, including the Government’s Five-Year Programme target of restoring 52,000 hectares. Building upon this presentation, IUCN Mozambique Country Representative, Domingos Gove, emphasised that the project goes beyond tree planting:

“This project is not simply about planting trees. It is about restoring landscapes, improving land productivity and contributing to better livelihoods for communities.”

For example, the seedlings planted during the launch activities were adopted by students from the local community school, who will take responsibility for caring for and monitoring their growth, reinforcing local ownership and environmental stewardship from an early age.

Looking ahead, over the next four years, the FLR Hub Mozambique initiative will be implemented with a focus on Ribáuè District. The project aims to support the restoration of 500 hectares, including 400 hectares of Miombo woodland and 100 hectares of agroforestry systems. It will also support the establishment of three nurseries, the development of green services, beekeeping activities, and sustainable value chains linked to cashew, bamboo, honey and legal timber. Implementation will be carried out in close collaboration with government institutions, communities, the private sector, academia, research institutions and civil society organisations, ensuring that interventions respond to local priorities and contribute to lasting environmental, social and economic outcomes.

With the official launch of the project, a new phase of collaboration begins to restore degraded landscapes, conserve Miombo woodlands and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities in Ribáuè. The Mozambique launch adds further momentum to the global FLR Hub, which is supporting forest landscape restoration across seven countries in Africa and Latin America. The initiative aims to move beyond fragmented interventions towards coordinated, scalable and investment-oriented approaches that deliver benefits for climate, biodiversity and people.