Forests, People, and Policy: Shifting Power and Strategies for Combating Deforestation Through Social and Behaviour Change CommunicationWritten by Lawrence (Peter Program Officer, Mining, FLAG & Energy Transition)

Deforestation continues to pose a significant threat to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on forests for survival. 

Across many developing countries, forests are disappearing at alarming rates due to agricultural expansion, logging, mining activities, infrastructure development, and increasing pressure on natural resources. While governments and development partners have implemented various policies and interventions aimed at reducing forest loss, the challenge persists because deforestation is not solely an environmental issue. It is deeply rooted in social, economic, behavioral, and governance dynamics that influence how communities interact with forest resources. Consequently, addressing deforestation requires a holistic approach that places people at the center of conservation efforts. This makes the theme of the 4th Multi-Stakeholder Meeting, “Forests, People, and Policy: Shifting Power and Strategies for Combating Deforestation,” particularly relevant in promoting sustainable solutions through Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC). The relevance of this theme is further underscored by the tireless efforts of We The People, an organization that has over the years worked painstakingly to engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders on forestry and environmental governance issues in Cross River State. 

Through its commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration among communities, government institutions, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, development partners, and private sector, We The People successfully championed the first three Multi-Stakeholders Dialogues on forestry. These engagements have helped strengthen conversations around sustainable forest management, community participation, and policy reform. Building on the successes of the previous dialogues, the organization is convening the 4th Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on the 23rd July 2026, providing another critical platform for stakeholders to collectively address the challenges and opportunities associated with combating deforestation. 

Social and Behaviour Change Communication provides a strategic framework for influencing positive behaviors, transforming social norms, empowering communities, and strengthening stakeholder collaboration. Unlike traditional awareness campaigns that focus primarily on information dissemination, SBCC seeks to understand the social and cultural factors that drive behaviors and uses participatory approaches to encourage sustainable actions. In the context of forest conservation, SBCC recognizes that people are not merely beneficiaries of environmental programs but critical agents of change whose decisions directly impact forest ecosystems. Therefore, effective forest governance must prioritize community engagement, ownership, and empowerment alongside policy development and enforcement.

The relationship between forests and people is both complex and inseparable. Forest host communities depend on forests for food, medicinal plants, fuelwood, water regulation, cultural identity, and income generation. However, poverty, limited access to economic opportunities, and weak governance structures often compel communities to engage in unsustainable practices that accelerate deforestation. Many households resort to indiscriminate logging, charcoal production, slash-and-burn agriculture, and illegal extraction of forest resources not because they are unaware of the consequences but because they lack viable alternatives. This reality underscores the need for interventions that go beyond regulations and sanctions to address the underlying social and economic drivers of environmental degradation.

A key element of the theme is the need to shift power toward local communities and indigenous populations who have historically served as custodians of forest resources. For too long, forest governance has been dominated by centralized institutions and external actors, often excluding the voices of those most affected by environmental decisions. Sustainable forest management requires a transition from top-down approaches to inclusive governance systems where communities actively participate in planning, monitoring, and decision-making processes. Through community dialogues, participatory learning, village forums, and stakeholder engagements, SBCC can facilitate meaningful interactions between policymakers, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, women, youth, and forest-dependent populations. Such inclusive engagement strengthens local ownership and improves the effectiveness of conservation initiatives.

The forthcoming 4th Multi- Stakeholder Meeting represents more than a policy dialogue; it is an opportunity to translate years of stakeholder engagement into practical actions that empower communities and strengthen forest governance. The meeting’s emphasis on shifting power highlights the urgent need to move beyond consultation towards meaningful participation, where forest-dependent communities are given greater influence in decisions affecting their livelihoods and environmental future. 

Achieving this objective requires strategic partnerships among stakeholders that can drive both policy advocacy and grassroots behavioral change. Within this context, the role of civil society organizations becomes increasingly important in bridging the gap between policy and practice.

Recognizing the importance of sustaining the momentum created by these dialogues, Grassroots People Empowerment Foundation, Policy Alert, is uniquely positioned to support this transformation by partnering with We The People, government agencies, development partners, traditional institutions, community-based organizations, and private-sector actors to drive Social and Behaviour Change Communication interventions in forest host communities.

As an organization committed to inclusive development, environmental justice, and grassroots community empowerment, Policy Alert acknowledges the significant contributions of We The People in championing forestry dialogues in Cross River State and expresses it willingness to collaborate in advancing the outcomes of the 4th Multi-Stakeholder Meeting through community-centered approaches that promote sustainable forest management.

Policy Alert's willingness to champion SBCC in forest host communities can be achieved through the adoption of Community Therapy and Alternative Livelihood Programme as complementary strategies for sustainable behavior change. Community Therapy provides a participatory platform where community members collectively discuss shared challenges, identify local solutions, strengthen social cohesion, and build collective responsibility for natural resource management. 

Through regular community therapy sessions, residents can reflect on the impacts of deforestation on their livelihoods, biodiversity, water resources, and future generations. These discussions create opportunities for peer learning, community mobilization, and the development of locally driven conservation actions. Importantly, Community Therapy shifts the narrative from external enforcement to internal motivation, encouraging communities to become active custodians of their forests.

Alongside Community Therapy, Alternative Livelihood Programme offer practical economic solutions that reduce pressure on forest resources. Experience has shown that conservation efforts are unlikely to succeed where people lack sustainable income sources. By promoting alternative livelihood opportunities such as agroforestry, beekeeping, sustainable agriculture, climate-smart farming, non-timber forest product enterprises, Eco-tourism, renewable energy solutions, and vocational skills development, communities can generate income without resorting to environmentally destructive activities. Through SBCC, Policy Alert can work with stakeholders to communicate the benefits of these livelihood alternatives, address misconceptions, showcase success stories, and encourage widespread adoption within forest communities.

Furthermore, women and young people must be placed at the center of forest conservation strategies. Women often possess extensive knowledge of forest resources and play a significant role in household energy management and food security. Similarly, young people represent a powerful force for innovation, advocacy, and community mobilization. Yet both groups frequently remain underrepresented in environmental decision-making. SBCC initiatives spearheaded through partnerships involving Policy Alert can strengthen women's leadership, support youth environmental champions, and promote greater participation of marginalized groups in governance structures. Such empowerment contributes to more inclusive and resilient conservation outcomes.

The media also have a critical role to play in advancing the objectives of this theme. Through strategic communication campaigns, community radio programme, documentaries, digital storytelling, and local-language messaging, SBCC can amplify conservation messages and increase public understanding of forest-related challenges. Media engagement can also facilitate accountability by highlighting the consequences of illegal logging, weak policy enforcement, and unsustainable land-use practices. At the same time, positive stories of community-led conservation efforts can inspire broader social change and encourage replication of successful models across different regions.

At the policy level, effective forest governance requires collaboration among governments, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, development partners, and local communities. Policies that are developed without community participation often face implementation challenges and resistance. Social and Behaviour Change Communication serves as a bridge between policy formulation and community action by promoting dialogue, trust, and mutual understanding among stakeholders. Through policy advocacy, evidence-based communication, stakeholder consultations, and public awareness campaigns, SBCC can strengthen support for forest conservation policies while ensuring that the perspectives and interests of local communities are adequately represented.

As stakeholders gather for the 4th Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on the 23rd July 2026, convened by We The People, there is a unique opportunity to build on the foundations established by the previous three dialogues and move from discussion to collective action. 

The theme, “Forest, Power, and Policy: Shifting Power and Strategies for Combating Deforestation,” recognizes that sustainable forest management cannot be achieved through policies alone. It requires empowering communities, strengthening institutions, transforming behaviors and creating economic alternatives that reduce dependence on unsustainable forest exploitation. Social and Behaviour Change Communication offers a powerful pathway for achieving these objectives by transforming behaviors, empowering communities, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. 

As a committed civil society organization, Grassroots People Empowerment Foundation (Policy Alert) stands ready to partner with relevant actors to drive SBCC interventions in forest host communities through the adoption of Community Therapy and Alternative Livelihood Programme. By empowering communities to become active participants in conservation efforts while addressing the socioeconomic realities that contribute to deforestation, such partnerships can help create a future where forests are protected, communities thrive, and policies effectively support sustainable development for generations to come.

In support of this vision, Grassroots People Empowerment Foundation (Policy Alert) stands ready to partner with We The People and other stakeholders to drive Social and Behavioral Change Communication initiatives across forest host communities. Through adoption of Community therapy as a tool for collective dialogue, social cohesion, and community ownership, alongside Alternative Livelihood Programme that provide sustainable economic opportunities, Policy Alert is committed to contributing to long-term solutions that address both the behavioral and socioeconomic drivers of deforestation. Such partnerships will be essential in ensuring that forests are protected, communities are empowered, and policies translate into measurable and lasting impact.