Since 2002, Taiwan’s Community Forestry Program has empowered communities to participate in biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management. Building on this foundation, the Green Economy of Mountain Village Program (2017) further developed green industries, reduced rural outmigration, and reinforced ties between communities and nature. Together, these initiatives underpin Taiwan’s implementation of the Satoyama Initiative and the Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN) Construction Project (2018), highlighting the central role of IPLCs in conservation policy.

In response to the Satoyama Initiative’s progress from 2010 to 2025, this symposium will bring together government, civil society, communities, academia, and the private sector under the Taiwan Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (TPSI). Through thematic panel discussions and an IPLCs Achievement Exhibition, the event will showcase Taiwan’s long-term efforts in community forestry, green economy, and biodiversity conservation, while contributing to global action for a sustainable future.

Activities (including site locations if applicable)

• Date: Wednesday, 3 December 2025
• Venue: International Conference Hall, Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, MOA
• Participants: FANCA staff, community forestry partners, TPSI members, resilience assessment communities, universities, research institutions, government bodies, NGOs, local farmers, enterprises and the general public
• Expected Attendance: ~200 participants

Expected outcomes

• Consolidate Taiwan’s Satoyama Initiative achievements, strengthening links with the Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN), Green Economy of Mountain Village Program, Community Forestry Program and OECM certification.
• Showcase Taiwan’s community-based conservation and ecological management practices through the TPSI regional network.
• Strengthen dialogue and collaboration with CBD, IPBES, and the international Satoyama Initiative network, enhancing Taiwan’s visibility in global biodiversity actions.
• Facilitate experience exchange among Community Forestry and Satoyama communities, fostering generational succession and youth engagement for long-term sustainability.
• Through exhibitions and citizen science cases, raise public awareness and support for community conservation, reinforcing the vision of “societies in harmony with nature.”
• Promote mountain village green economy models to stimulate local industries, cultural innovation, and reduce rural population outflow.
• Enhance public understanding of biodiversity conservation and the role of IPLCs through symposium discussions and achievement exhibitions.

Actors and task sharing

The main organizers of this collaborative project are the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) together with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.

The co-organizers are the four regional bases of TPSI (National Dong Hwa University, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Biodiversity Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts).

How the activity relates to the IPSI Strategy and Plan of Action 

1. Knowledge Co-Production, Management, and Uptake for SEPLS
   1. Reviving traditional ecological farming practices of Indigenous Peoples to restore agricultural culture and attract young people to return to their communities.
   2. Emphasizing the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) as stewards of biocultural diversity.
   3. Establishing the Taiwan Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (TPSI) to promote the exchange of local knowledge and practical experiences.
   4. Organizing thematic symposiums to facilitate dialogue and knowledge-sharing among government agencies, civil society, academia, and communities.
   5. Showcasing IPLC case studies and achievements to enhance public awareness of biodiversity and cultural conservation.

2. Institutional Frameworks and Capacity Development for SEPLS

   1. Launching the Community Forestry Program in 2002 to shift from top-down forest governance to inclusive, participatory models.
   2. Revising and relaxing regulations to allow communities to sustainably utilize forest resources under ecological safeguards.
   3. Establishing co-management and partnership mechanisms between communities and government to share responsibilities and benefits.
   4. TPSI’s four regional bases jointly plan thematic initiatives, demonstrating effective governance through local-institutional collaboration.
3. Area-Based Conservation Measures for SEPLS
   1. Promoting community-based biodiversity conservation, emphasizing local leadership and participation.
   2. Ensuring forest management balances conservation and local livelihood needs, preserving connections between people and landscapes.
   3. Integrating Indigenous-led ecotourism and cultural interpretation to broaden support and engagement in conservation.
   4. Strengthening ecological connectivity in lowland and upland areas through linkage with Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN).
4. Ecosystem Restoration for SEPLS
   1. Enabling communities to sustainably use forest resources while maintaining ecosystem functionality.
   2. Engaging communities in habitat restoration, watershed protection, and ecological service practices.
   3. Combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques to rehabilitate degraded landscapes and ecosystems.
   4. Supporting national ecological restoration through community-based actions within Taiwan’s Green Network Initiative.
5. Sustainable Value Chain Development for SEPLS
   1. Promoting the “Green Economy of Mountain Village Program” to build viable green economic models.
   2. Supporting Indigenous and local communities in developing Under-forest economy and culturally rooted industries.
   3. Encouraging diversified and rational use of wood and bamboo resources to stimulate local economies and job creation.
   4. Developing local brands and green-certified products to enhance competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

Resources & funding 

The financial resources for this collaborative project are mainly from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency(FANCA), with a total budget of approximately USD 10,000.