Landscape restoration is a holistic strategy for combatting land degradation, intertwining ecological, economic, and social aspects across multiple stakeholders. This study focuses on Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) as a means to rejuvenate degraded forest landscapes and improve human well-being. Examining 14 FLR projects across Asia-Pacific, Africa, and South America funded by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the research assesses FLR principles, emphasizing design, implementation, and outcomes.

While projects integrated diverse stakeholders with a landscape perspective, challenges persisted. Poverty-driven resource exploitation, weak environmental law enforcement, capacity gaps, stakeholder disputes, rural migration, and limited resources hindered FLR effectiveness. The study advocates consultative processes, stakeholder engagement, and mapping socio-ecological intricacies, emphasizing trust-building, consensus formation, and addressing context-specific issues. Attention to marginalization, especially concerning women and youth, is crucial for equitable FLR practices. The research underscores transdisciplinary approaches, multi-stakeholder dialogues, and integrating FLR principles into forestry policies. Capacity development initiatives, including peer and social learning, are pivotal. Embedding equity, notably gender-sensitive plans, into policies is imperative for successful FLR implementation. In conclusion, this analysis illuminates the path towards sustainable FLR initiatives, fostering socio-ecological resilience through inclusive practices.