This research initiative evaluated the effects of community forest management (CFM) on forest cover, biodiversity and community livelihoods. Led by a team of researchers, the project addressed knowledge gaps in CFM studies, particularly in Southeast Asia, by exploring the influence of different institutional arrangements on outcomes and understanding socio-environmental feedback loops within CFM systems.

Key outputs of this project included user-friendly data sets and maps, country-specific assessments summarizing findings for each case country and academic publications disseminated through web-based platforms like SERVIR-Mekong and eMapr and RECOFTC's regional network. The project team collaborated with SERVIR-Global to leverage spatial analysis networks in the Mekong region, ensuring that the research findings had broad applicability and impact across regions where CFM is prevalent.