Explore, the world’s only research network on forest landscape governance, is advancing equity, capacity and influence across Southeast Asia.
RECOFTC, through the Explore programme, is steadily laying the foundations for inclusive, evidence-based policymaking in Southeast Asia. We are working to increase research impact, strengthen inclusivity and extend research influence into the policy and practice spheres.
Strengthening inclusive governance
Explore’s main advisory body, the Programme Advisory Committee (PAC), reached full capacity in October 2024. With 12 members now fully on board, the committee has representation from government, civil society and private sector bodies.
Hao Zhuang, Explore’s Programme Manager, notes, “The PAC includes leading figures from the Asia-Pacific region, and youth representatives. Their extensive knowledge and experiences span environmental science, international collaboration in environmental governance, environmental law, national government forestry policy and private business' environmental responsibility.”
The PAC reviews and approves Explore’s workplan and provide strategic direction oversight. Its diversity both mirrors and shapes current efforts across the Southeast Asian region to shift towards more inclusive, multi-stakeholder environmental policies.
Building skills for change
To increase policy impact, Explore is investing in the capacity of its members. We are strengthening the skills of academic researchers in project management, communication for impact and the application of monitoring and evaluation practices.
To build these competencies among research teams, we conducted a regional communication workshop with CIFOR-ICRAF in April 2024, followed by national-level workshops in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.
Members of the research teams are now better equipped to craft strategic messages to inform policy making and communicate effectively with local stakeholders. Many participants have since published articles effectively linking evidence to policy, with some contributing to national consultations and informing local governance reforms.
Investing in women leaders
The launch of Explore’s first PhD scholarship for women forestry researchers from Lao PDR was another milestone. In a sector where women remain underrepresented, competitive grants like this one support inclusive research, helping reduce gender disparities in forest landscape research and environmental science and policy.
Research with real-world impact
Recent publications from Explore-supported studies in the region show how gender, power and policy intersect in daily life – from women’s leadership reshaping local forest governance to community participation increasing support for nature-based tourism.
By connecting local realities with regional priorities and global challenges, we are shaping a more equitable, informed and resilient future for our region’s forests and the people who depend on them. Through its expanding network, inclusive approach and strategic focus on capacity building, Explore is transforming how forest landscape governance is understood and practiced in Southeast Asia.