Training and capacity building
We have extensive experience in running training courses to a wide variety of audiences, from small farmers to government employees, and from building auditing competence to ensuring purchasing departments understand sustainable supply chain issues. See below for examples of our experience.-
Oil Palm Support Programme
multiple clients | 2008 ongoing
RSPO certification has become the accepted gold standard of sustainability in the palm oil sector, but reaching this standard can be a long and challenging process for many palm oil producers. Our Oil Palm Support Programme is one of the first global support programmes helping the palm oil sector move towards sustainability. Read more
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Lead auditor training for the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
Endorsed by RSPO | 2008 ongoing
The RSPO has set the benchmark for the sustainable production of palm oil with its Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Palm Oil Production. However, an important factor for success is having sufficient trained and experienced auditors in producer countries, able to check actual production practices on the ground against the requirements of the RSPO criteria. Read more
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Capacity building in forest certification in Africa
Various clients and partners | 2002 ongoing
Africa’s forests cover more than 20% of the continent, while the Congo Basin contains the world’s second largest area of dense tropical rainforest. These forests are critically important for biodiversity, as carbon sinks, and to provide goods and services for Africa’s forest nations. Read more
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Annual Summer Training Programme
Individual participants | 2002 ongoing
Awareness of sustainability issues is growing worldwide. People working in all forms of natural resource management need to understand what the issues are and what they mean in practice. Each summer, Proforest offers a unique Natural Resource Training Programme in the UK to help fill this gap. Read more
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EU FLEGT initiative support
With EC, EFI and Partner Countries | 2005 ongoing
The EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) action plan aims to combat the trade in illegal timber through bilateral Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) with tropical timber producing countries. These agreements include a Legality Assurance Scheme (LAS), which permits the verification of legality of all timber exported to the EU. This can be a challenging requirement. Read more
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Sustainable sugarcane for biofuel
For Greenergy International Ltd | 2007 ongoing
Ethanol from sugarcane is a promising biofuel alternative to fossil fuels. To ensure its supplies of Brazilian ethanol are sustainable, Greenergy turned to Proforest for help. Read more
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Supporting Tetra Pak's wood fibre sourcing
Tetra Pak | 2004 ongoing
Tetra Pak is a global leader in the production of beverage carton packaging material and has set itself a target of sourcing materials only from FSC certified suppliers by the end of 2015. Read more
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FLEGT-related training for Francophone African countries
For EC and European Forest Institute (EFI) | 2011
Seven countries in Francophone Africa have concluded, are in the process of, or have indicated interest in negotiating VPAs as part of the EU FLEGT action programme. Proforest provided training to ensure that stakeholders in these countries have sufficient understanding of the programme's requirements. Read more
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HCV training for The Nature Conservancy Brazil
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) | 2011
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Brazil ran a one week course for its Atlantic Forest and Central Savannas Conservation Program Team and partners on 'Sustainability and Certification of Agricultural Commodities'. Within this course, Proforest delivered a training day on High Conservation Values. Read more
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Training on the HSBC Oil Palm Guidance Note for HSBC Malaysia
For HSBC Malaysia | 2010
With its vast experience in oil palm advisory, auditing and involvement in RSPO, Proforest has been strongly involved in development of and subsequently training on the HSBC Oil Palm Guidance Note. Read more
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EU and GFTN project for legal and sustainable forest management in Africa and Asia
With GFTN for the EC | 2005 to 2010
In 2005 WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) received funding for a period of 5 years to assist developing countries to improve governance of their forest resources. Proforest has executed several parts of this project, including the production of training material and practical guides. Read more
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VPA training in Liberia
For UNDP | 2010
Evaluation of the training and capacity gap to participate in meaningful negotiations on VPA elements such as a Legality Assurance System (LAS) Read more
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High Conservation Value Training for GFTN managers
GFTN | 2010
A 3 day classroom and field based training programme for managers of WWF GFTN national offices across the world. Read more
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Training for the International Finance Corporation
For International Finance Corporation (IFC) | 2010
When the Sustainability Advisor Services Division of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) wanted to provide capacity building on agricultural sustainability standards to its global network, they approached Proforest to develop a bespoke training course. Read more
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ABN-AMRO sustainable investment support
ABN AMRO | 2006 to 2008
Provision of training, advice and research on forestry policy and investments in oil palm plantations. Read more
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Certification support material for smallholders
WWF and FSC | 2008
Proforest produced FSC guidance for smallholders and Community Forestry operations. Read more
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Legality Verification System for Guyana
For Guyana Forest Commission, FPMC, FTCI | 2007
Development of a Legality Verification Ssystem for timber. Read more
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Yayasan Sabah HCVF assessments
Yayasan Sabah | 2006
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Training in responsible timber sourcing in China
Li & Fung | 2005
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IFBW: Chain of custody training
International Federation of Building and Wood Workers | 2002
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Forest certification training in China
for FCO China | 2002