Frequently Asked Question
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What is the Guinean Forests Integrated Program?
The Guinean Forests Integrated Program (GFIP) is a coordinated regional initiative designed to protect, restore, and improve the effective management and governance of the Upper Guinean Forests Biome.
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Why was the program created?
The program was created to address increasing threats to the Guinean Forests, including deforestation, forest degradation, unsustainable land use, illegal mining, logging, wildlife trade, and climate change
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What is the main goal of the program?
The program aims to strengthen forest governance, address forest loss, conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable livelihoods, support climate resilience, and encourage cooperation among countries, communities, governments, civil society, and development partners.
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What is the duration of the project:
The Guinean Forests Integrated Program is a 7-year initiative
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What impact is the program expected to have?
The program is expected to contribute to healthier forests, improved protected area management, stronger regional cooperation, and better livelihoods for people who depend on forest ecosystems.
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How will the program benefit local communities?
Local communities may benefit through improved natural resource management, support for sustainable livelihoods, capacity building, participation in decision-making, and activities that help reduce pressure on forests while supporting household and community well-being.
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How does the program contribute to climate action?
By protecting and restoring forests, the program helps maintain carbon storage, reduce emissions from forest loss, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and support nature-based solutions to climate change.
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Who funds the Guinean Forests Integrated Program?
The program is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through its eighth replenishment cycle, known as GEF-8.
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Who leads the program?
The Guinean Forests Integrated Program is led by Conservation International (CI), in partnership with BirdLife International, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), government institutions, regional partners, civil society, and other stakeholders.
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Is the program part of a larger global initiative?
Yes. The program is part of the Global Environment Facility- GEF-8 Critical Forest Biomes that include Amazon, Congo Basin, Mesoamerica and Indo Malaya Critical Forest program
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Where does the Guinean Forests Integrated Program work?
GFIP focuses on the Guinean Forests region of West Africa, in countries that contain globally important forest ecosystems and biodiversity. Currently the program is in five countries Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia Sierra Leone and Togo, with prospects of other countries joining the program.
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Why are the Guinean Forests important
The Guinean Forests of West Africa comprise a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot that supports important levels of biodiversity and provides valuable ecosystem services to well over 200 million inhabitants of the region.
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What threats do the Guinean Forests face?
The Guinean Forests face threats from agricultural expansion, unsustainable logging, mining, infrastructure development, wildlife trade, forest fragmentation, weak governance, and climate change
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How will the program be implemented?
With countries projects and a regional coordinated project, GFIP will be implemented through technical support and capacity building; learning, knowledge exchange, and dissemination of innovations; Project- and Program-level Monitoring and Evaluation; facilitation of transboundary watershed and forest landscape management; and promoting regional policy dialogue.
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How will the program ensure transparency and accountability?
The program will promote transparency through stakeholder engagement, reporting, safeguards, grievance mechanisms, communication with partners, and alignment with national and Global Environment Facility requirements.
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How does the program address gender and social inclusion?
The program aims to promote inclusive participation by considering the roles, knowledge, needs, and priorities of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and other stakeholder groups in planning and implementation
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How can stakeholders engage with the program?
Stakeholders can engage through consultations, meetings, knowledge-sharing events, partnership opportunities, community activities, technical collaboration, or by contacting us through Guinean Forest Integrated Program Website, Facebook and LikedIn pages.
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Where can the public find updates about the program
Updates may be shared through the program website, partner communications, events, reports, newsletters, social media channels, and other public information platforms.
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Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, visitors should use the contact details provided on the program website at: www.guineanforest.org or reach out through the official communication channels of the Guinean Forests Integrated Program, Email: GFIP-info@conservation.org LinkedIn: Guinean Forest Integrated Program, Facebook: Guinean Forest Integrated Program.