Guide to investing in locally controlled forestry

This Guide to Investing in Locally Controlled Forestry (ILCF) emerged out of 11 international dialogues that assembled more than 400 people to discuss how to make ILCF happen. It is a primarily a tool for practical action – providing guidance on how to structure enabling investments and prepare the ground for asset investments that yield acceptable returns and reduced risk, not only for investors, but also for local forest right-holders, national~governments and society at large. After providing strong justification for this approach, the guide sets out a framework for structuring investments with tactical advice for building the partnerships necessary for successful ILCF. The core of the guide is a roadmap to successful ILCF that covers the business stages of proposition, establishment, validation, preparation, negotiation and performance management – with practical advice for both investors and forest right-holder groups. Case studies of successful ILCF and a range of useful templates and sources of further information are provided. The guide is produced by the Growing Forest Partnerships initiative, supported by the FAO, IIED, IUCN, TFD and the World Bank.