Young people on the future of community forestry

Young people from across Asia and the Pacific gathered virtually on 11 August for RECOFTC’s International Youth Day event, ‘Different contexts, common aspirations: Youth in community forestry’.

The event brought together over 50 young people and representatives from youth networks, academia and civil society to discuss the role of young people in community forestry.

Participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand Viet Nam shared their experiences and explored common challenges, opportunities and priorities.

The discussions highlighted the importance of meaningful youth participation in decisions that affect forests and their communities and how youth networks, civil society, academia and other stakeholders can better support young people’s involvement in community forestry.

The event reflected the 2026 International Youth Day theme, ‘Different contexts, common aspirations’, recognizing both the diverse realities young people face and the shared aspirations that connect them.

The RECOFTC Youth Committee will carry forward the lessons and insights from the event to continue strengthening youth engagement in the region.