Governments, intergovernmental agencies, civil society, and non-governmental organizations are heavily promoting reforestation initiatives. Although this is a global phenomenon, tropical forests are a spot of interest because of the confluence of different interests around their resources and services, which are key to actions against climate change. Reforestation in tropical forests is implemented for a variety of purposes, both to restore biological connectivity between forest lands and to promote economic development. In that sense, reforestation is often carried out on Indigenous or smallholder lands under ecosystem service payment schemes.
A myriad of actors are involved in governance spaces related to reforestation initiatives. However, there are power imbalances among these stakeholder groups, mainly to the disadvantage of the most vulnerable actors: Indigenous peoples and local communities. Understanding the social and political dynamics is key to ensuring the sustainability of these interventions in the medium and long term. However, an understanding of power relations can play the same role, and it also can address issues of rights and social justice.
In this context, this research aims to analyze how governance structures and power dynamics influence the outcomes of a reforestation initiative in an Indigenous territory. This case study, which was conducted using a qualitative approach, is based on a social network analysis and interviews with different types of informants in the Comarca Ngäbe Buglé in Panamá. I will work in close coordination and collaboration with Indigenous representatives, local organizations, and local researchers. The results of this research will support the advancement of restoration social science to meet the multiple interests of Indigenous communities' partners from a rights-based approach. Lessons gained will be useful for any other reforestation project in the tropics with Indigenous peoples or local communities that aims to enhance inclusion and equity in their interventions.
