Landscape and food systems transformation through participatory post-fire restoration in Latin American model forests (climate and food adaptation)

Deforestation, land-use change and unsustainable agricultural practices are degrading landscapes across Latin America, fueling more frequent and intense wildfires. Climate change accelerates ecosystem transformations, exceeding natural resilience and straining local capacity to manage wildfires and restore ecosystems. This escalating crisis threatens biodiversity, ecosystem services and the food security of vulnerable populations.

Responses to these entrenched challenges have often been fragmented. One promising approach to addressing post-fire restoration and fire governance strategies is the establishment of model forests, multi-stakeholder governance platforms for inclusive and sustainable landscape management. This project proposes a transformative framework that integrates post-fire restoration with food systems transformation — offering a holistic, inclusive and resilient pathway forward for affected landscapes and communities in ten model forests: three in Brazil, two in Peru and one each in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Bolivia.

The project will co-generate evidence on nature-based solutions for post-fire restoration and resilient food systems through master’s theses and small grants to model forest partner organizations. Capacity-building will include tailored training for the Model Forest Youth Network. The project will promote knowledge exchange and support inclusive multi-stakeholder territorial governance platforms for integrated post-fire landscape management, adaptive food systems and the scaling of successful practices. Special focus will be placed on youth, women and Indigenous Peoples, and on coordination with public and private actors to strengthen policies for resilient, regenerative food systems and landscapes in post-fire areas.

This project is one of two projects under the Post-Fire Forest and Landscape Restoration: Strengthening Community-Led Nature-Based Solution for Food System Transformation in Asia and Latin America (FLARE) initiative. This five-year, CAD6.5-million initiative is a collaboration between IDRC and Global Affairs Canada.