Capacity-building workshop on integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in forest landscape restoration (FLR)

Organisers: Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety | International Climate Initiative | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change | IUCN | Forest Survey of India | TERI | ICFRE | ICIMOD | GIZ | RECAP4NDC

About the event

The capacity building workshop on integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in forest landscape restoration (FLR) will take place in Delhi from 30 October to 01 November 2025. This in-person workshop is organised under the RECAP4NDC project and brings together representatives from key institutions working on forest restoration in India.

The workshop aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of how gender equality and social inclusion contribute to successful FLR outcomes. It will cover core concepts, policy linkages, and practical tools for integrating GESI into restoration planning, implementation, and monitoring. The sessions will include expert presentations, case study discussions, and group exercises.

Participants will leave with improved knowledge of GESI principles, examples of best practice, and draft action plans for applying inclusive approaches in their own projects. The workshop also supports broader goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to equality, governance, and ecosystem restoration.

Objectives:                

• Enhance GESI understanding and its linkages to FLR outcomes: Introducing key concepts of gender equality, social inclusion, intersectionality and link these to improved FLR outcomes such as improved ecosystem protection and equitable benefit sharing.
• Link policy and global agendas related to GESI-responsive FLR: Discussing linkages between national policy priorities and global frameworks like Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Build skills for effective GESI integration in FLR efforts: Developing conceptual and practical skills for conducting GESI analysis and for integrating GESI considerations into FLR efforts through participatory tools and case-based learning. Generating discussion on best practices and facilitating action planning by the participants for integrating GESI in FLR in their own projects.

Expected outcomes:

• Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills to conduct GESI analysis and master tools for integrating GESI into FLR planning, implementation, and monitoring, and connecting these to improved FLR outcomes.
• Actionable GESI integration plans, identifying concrete steps to integrate GESI in their own FLR projects and an understanding of policy linkages and global frameworks.
• Case studies and best practices will be documented for broader dissemination.
• Pre- and post-event survey and feedback forms will measure knowledge gained and workshop impact.

Background

Forest landscape restoration (FLR) has become a global priority, as it offers significant benefits such as ecosystem restoration, livelihood improvements, and enhanced ecosystem services. FLR is a long-term process of rejuvenating the ecology and improving wellbeing of communities across degraded forest landscapes and their surrounding areas. However, the success of FLR depends on the equitable and meaningful participation of stakeholders, particularly women, indigenous peoples, and disadvantaged communities and individuals. This workshop on Integrating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in forest landscape restoration aims to build the capacity of participants to understand why GESI in FLR matters and understand how to embed GESI principles in FLR initiatives. The workshop aims to highlight the need for a GESI approach in FLR through a series of discussions, breakout sessions, and expert talks. Through the workshop, participants will learn about GESI principles, and gain knowledge and tools required for integrating a gender-responsive and social inclusion approach in FLR interventions and its monitoring as well as the evaluation of the progress of GESI in FLR efforts.