Sustainable Forest Territories ‘Tefos’

Context

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has contracted NIRAS to support the implementation of the third pillar of the Sustainable Forest Territories (TEFOS) programme.

The full TEFOS Programme represents a commitment by the UK Government to provide £64 million in International Climate Finance (ICF) over seven years (2020–2026) to the Government of Colombia, with the aim of reducing deforestation in rural areas of Colombia affected by conflict and high deforestation rates.

The geographic scope of TEFOS will be aligned with the policy guidelines of the Government of Colombia. An initial assessment with the Colombian Government identified the Cuemani deforestation cluster as a priority for Pillar 3, as it has accounted for an average of 15% of deforestation in the Amazon over the past five years. TEFOS will operate only in the municipalities prioritized for the implementation of Pillar 1, focusing on deforestation clusters that include San José del Guaviare and Cartagena del Chairá.

The overall contract between NIRAS and FCDO spans 32 months, with an initial six-month phase to determine the detailed work plan for the implementation phase.

Activities carried out

Inception report phase

Presentation of the project to the communities and local institutions of Cartagena del Chairá

Project details

• Focus on priority areas: Works in municipalities and protected areas under the Development Programmes with a Territorial Focus (PDET) that have been identified as deforestation hotspots.
• Institutional strengthening: Enhances the capacity of public institutions and other stakeholders to effectively monitor, control, and manage forests, including efforts to combat environmental crimes.
• Technology and monitoring: Implements technological solutions to monitor forest cover and forest loss, using tools such as satellite imagery and geographic information systems for analysis and decision-making.
• Sustainable forest management: Promotes the implementation of forest development hubs and the sustainable management of forest areas, including conservation activities, sustainable resource use, and the design of payment-for-environmental-services mechanisms.
• Community participation: Seeks to actively involve communities—especially vulnerable groups and Indigenous peoples—in forest management, with a gender-equity approach.
• Economic alternatives: Encourages the creation of sustainable economic alternatives for residents of priority areas, helping to increase the value of forests and reduce incentives for deforestation.
• Inter-institutional coordination: Improves coordination and management among the various entities involved in the project.

Expected results

3 value chains developed

1 forest concession and support for the forest management plan of Las Quillas

657 characterizations

440 families in productive restoration

150 ha in ecological restoration

1 long-term financial mechanism project

Budget

10 million pounds sterling

Partners

Niras, ONF Andina, Gitec

Beneficiaries

657 farmers

Donor

British Government