Independent Forest Monitoring (IFM)

Our work with civil society groups in forest-rich countries to engage with policy makers to improve access to information and advocate for capable, responsive and accountable forest sector governance – including through IFM.

Campaign
Forest transparency

Making the Forest Sector Transparent was a four year project that supported civil society groups in forest-rich countries to engage with policy makers and advocate for accountable forest sector governance.
Report
A Guide to Independent Forest Monitoring (IFM)

The definitive guide to IFM for governments, donors, and NGOs.

Report
Exploring credibility gaps in Voluntary Partnership Agreements

A review of independent forest monitoring initiatives and lessons to learn.
Report
A Decade of Experience - Lessons learned from IFM to inform REDD (2009)

A detailed review and analysis of lessons learned from ten years of implementing IFM in practice.
Briefing
IFM in Nicaragua

Despite having emerged from the conflict that affected the country for many years, Nicaragua still suffers from poverty, corruption and inequity.
Briefing
IFM in Honduras

Over half of Honduras, the third poorest country in Latin America, is covered by forests. The country relies heavily on external aid and suffers from a drastically unequal distribution of income.
Briefing
IFM in Cameroon (2000-2005)

Cameroon's nearly 22 million hectares of forests are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Briefing
IFM in Cambodia (1999-2003)

Global Witness was appointed the official independent monitor of Cambodia's forestry sector in 1999 and played this role until 2003.

Briefing Document
Feasibility Study on Independent Forest Monitoring in the DR Congo

Global Witness conducted a three month Feasibility Study on Independent Forest Monitoring (IFM) in the DR Congo, from August to October 2007.
Briefing Document
Scoping Study: Independent Forest Monitoring in Ghana (2005)

Scoping Study sets out options for IFM, following a preliminary report: "Towards the Introduction of IFM in Ghana - A Discussion Paper", written by Hon. Nayon Bilijo.
Briefing Document
Principles for Independent Monitoring of REDD (2010)

A set of ten principles derived from IFM, developed over ad ecade, to help ensure independent monitoring of REDD+ performance.
Video
Video Guide to IFM in Cameroon (2008)

A short film about IFM in Cameroon, available to download.