Implementation period: 2022–2026 Organizers: GIZ, национальные лесные агентства Partners: Местные НПО, научные учреждения, международные доноры The FRIENDS project promotes cross-border collaboration and institutional capacity building in forest restoration, ecological connectivity, and sustainable land management across Central Asia. It covers Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, with a focus on climate adaptation, land degradation prevention, and biodiversity conservation.
Key priorities include establishing ecological corridors to reconnect fragmented landscapes, developing regional strategies for reforestation, and enhancing local ownership through community-based approaches. FRIENDS aligns with global goals under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Bonn Challenge.
Outcomes
Training modules on reforestation, ecological connectivity, monitoring, and forest governance were developed and deployed in all five countries.
Pilot forest restoration projects implemented, including tree planting, slope rehabilitation, and creation of green zones.
A regional knowledge-sharing platform was launched, hosting exchanges, study tours, field schools, and joint research programs.
Women's and youth involvement supported through micro-grants and tailored training activities.
Digital technologies such as drones, GIS tools, and mobile apps introduced for planning and monitoring.
Fostered cross-sector dialogue between forestry and agriculture agencies to integrate forest landscapes into wider land-use frameworks.
