Toolkits and training

Fern builds its campaigns with social and environmental organisations and movements across the world, working in mutually beneficial partnerships in which partners teach us about the on-the-ground forest reality in EU Member States and tropical countries and in return we train them on use of advocacy tools, EU policy and how the EU works. Below we outline some of the training material we have produced so far but please do get in touch if you are looking for specific training.

Publications

How the European Union works

This guide outlines the EU’s history, its decision making processes and the different ways of working with the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. It ends with handy tips to keep in mind when campaigning in the EU.

Provoking Change, an advocacy toolkit for African NGOs

This toolkit includes material that would be useful for all NGOs but the case studies and background information are all focused on West Africa as it was produced for the Green Actors of West Africa.

Making forestry fairer: A practical guide for civil society organisations taking part in FLEGT VPA negotiations

This practical guide for NGOs and communities in Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) countries uses real-life examples to suggest ways these groups can use VPAs to provoke long-lasting change in their countries’ interactions with forests and the people living there.

The EUs impact on forests - A quick guide to the basics of EU lobbying

This booklet provides an overview of the key points you need to know when starting a campaign at EU level. Although it still has useful tips and tricks, it is important to note that much of the information about the structure of the EU is now out of date. For up-to-date information read “A brief guide to the European Union.”

An activists Guide to the EU

The EU has a huge influence over the fate of the world’s forests. Its trade deals, aid strategies, energy and climate policies, and imports all have an impact on biodiversity, on the fight against climate change, on the state of the world’s forests, and on the lives of the 1.6 billion people who depend on them. Yet, for most people, it is hard to understand how the EU works. We therefore produced our second training video, to show you concrete examples of civil society achieving changes that will help to halt deforestation and protect peoples’ rights.

EU-Mercosur trade deal: What does it mean for Brazil?

Midia NINJA and Fern have joined forces to deliver a video explaining the potential human rights and environmental impacts of Brazilian external relations, focusing specifically on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. The video aims to raise Brazilian civil society organisations’ awareness of why European Union policy processes are relevant to them. The video answers key questions about the trade deal and why it matters for communities and forests.

Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) an introduction

In less than four minutes, this video explains what Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) is and why it could make the difference between the climate crisis being damaging and it being catastrophic.

How to stop trade agreements from damaging forests and peoples' rights

The EU has made strong commitments to mitigate climate change, stop deforestation and respect human rights, including community rights to land. But they are at risk being undermined by trade agreements the EU is currently negotiating with highly forested countries. This video explains how trade can increase deforestation and ways to ensure trade agreements respect forests peoples‘ rights and stop forests from being damaged.

Land Rights and Community Forestry

When Indigenous and forest communities have their right to land enshrined in law there are lower rates of deforestation. The Boca Pariamanu community in Peru is a clear example of the positive knock-on effects.

Introducing Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT)

This short film explains FLEGT, the EU’s flagship forest policy. Fern believes the FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) Action Plan is the most effective vehicle to combat illegal logging and deforestation, and for ensuring that the world’s tropical forests are managed fairly and sustainably. A key element of FLEGT is its Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs), a legal framework between the EU and timber-producing countries.

The Story of REDD: A real solution to deforestation?

The first of our training videos, this short film attempts to outline the truth about projects to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, explaining why such schemes are so controversial.