Training Course on Forestry, Agroforestry, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, and sustainable economies are inseparable. Forests and agroforestry systems are central to achieving this vision. They provide vital ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and soil fertility — while also supporting livelihoods, food security, and climate resilience.

Across Africa and the globe, forests and tree-based systems underpin progress toward multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Agroforestry further enhances this impact by integrating productive land use with environmental stewardship, providing pathways for sustainable rural transformation.

The Forestry, Agroforestry, and SDGs Training Course, offered by Kincaid Development Center, equips professionals with the tools and knowledge to design, implement, and evaluate forestry and agroforestry interventions aligned with the SDG framework. The course emphasizes interlinkages among environmental, social, and economic pillars of sustainability — helping participants translate global commitments into actionable strategies that foster resilience, inclusivity, and prosperity.

Through evidence-based learning, policy analysis, and field experiences, this course bridges the gap between forest and agroforestry management practices and sustainable development outcomes, empowering practitioners to drive real-world change.

Participants who successfully complete the course will receive Certificate of Participation.

Course Objectives

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the role of forests and agroforestry in achieving the 2030 Agenda.
2. Identify key SDGs that directly and indirectly benefit from sustainable forestry practices.
3. Link forestry and agroforestry interventions to national and international development frameworks.
4. Assess ecosystem services and their contribution to economic, social, and environmental goals.
5. Design projects and policies that enhance forest conservation, food security, and livelihoods.
6. Apply tools for monitoring and reporting forestry and agroforestry contributions to SDGs.
7. Evaluate trade-offs and synergies between land use, climate action, and poverty reduction.
8. Strengthen institutional and community capacity for sustainable forest governance.
9. Promote gender equality, social inclusion, and youth engagement in forest-based development.
10. Formulate financing and investment models supporting sustainable forestry and agroforestry initiatives.

Duration

5 Days – blending classroom sessions, group discussions, fieldwork, and real-world case studies on forest and agroforestry systems supporting SDG implementation.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

• Forestry and agroforestry professionals
• Environmental and natural resource managers
• Climate change and sustainability officers
• Policy makers and development planners
• NGO staff and project managers in environmental sectors
• Researchers and academic professionals in environmental sciences
• Representatives from donor agencies and development partners
• Community-based organization leaders and local government officials

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Sustainable Development and the SDG Framework

• Overview of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• The role of natural resources in achieving the SDGs
• Interconnections between environmental, social, and economic pillars
• Global trends and regional progress on SDGs

Module 2: Forests, Ecosystems, and SDG Integration

• Forests as enablers of SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 6 (Clean Water)
• Forest ecosystem services and their measurement
• Linkages between forest health, biodiversity, and human wellbeing
• Integrating sustainable forest management into national SDG strategies

Module 3: Agroforestry Systems and Multidimensional Impacts

• Agroforestry’s role in achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
• Agroforestry for livelihood diversification and resilience building
• Nutritional and health benefits of tree-based agricultural systems
• Gender and youth inclusion in agroforestry and SDG implementation

Module 4: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation through Forestry

• Forest-based carbon sequestration and emission reduction strategies
• Nature-based solutions and their role in national climate action plans
• Agroforestry and ecosystem-based adaptation models
• Climate-smart forestry and land restoration practices

Module 5: Policy, Governance, and Institutional Frameworks

• National forest and agroforestry policies supporting SDGs
• Global instruments and conventions (UNFCCC, UNCCD, CBD)
• Strengthening cross-sectoral coordination for SDG delivery
• Community forestry, co-management, and participatory governance

Module 6: Financing and Investment in Sustainable Forestry

• Green finance and climate-smart investment mechanisms
• Carbon finance, REDD+, and sustainable forestry funds
• Public-private partnerships in forest and agroforestry development
• Mobilizing resources through corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Module 7: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Tools and indicators for measuring forestry’s contribution to SDGs
• Data management and geospatial tools for SDG tracking
• Integrating sustainability metrics into project evaluation
• Reporting progress in line with national voluntary reviews (VNRs)

Module 8: Field Practicum and Action Planning

• Field visits to forest restoration and agroforestry demonstration sites
• Group exercises: designing SDG-aligned forestry projects
• Development of institutional or community action plans for sustainable forest management

General Notes

• The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.
• The participants should be reasonably proficient in English as all facilitation and course materials will be offered in English.
• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• The training will be held at Kincaid Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments and lunch.
• All participants will additionally cater for their, travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
• Accommodation and airport pickup are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training coordinator at Email: training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org or Tel: +254 724592901
• This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our Kincaid Training Centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254 724592901 or send mail to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org

Payments are due upon registration. Payment should be sent to our Bank account before commencement of training and proof of payment sent to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org