Programmes Driving Change
From carbon markets to capacity building, our initiatives create measurable impact across 175 countries
Integrated Solutions for Sustainable Futures
GSFN's programmes are designed to address interconnected sustainability challenges through community-led implementation, global partnerships, and evidence-based approaches. Each initiative builds on local knowledge while connecting to global frameworks and best practices.
Our Core Programmes
Transformative initiatives creating lasting impact
20 Million Farmers Initiative
Empowering smallholder farmers to access carbon markets through regenerative agriculture
The Challenge
Smallholder and Indigenous farmers, who manage vast agricultural lands globally, face barriers to accessing carbon markets: lack of data infrastructure, high transaction costs, unclear ownership rights, and limited technical capacity for MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification).
Our Solution
GSFN is creating pathways for 20 million farmers to benefit from carbon markets through:
- Aggregation models that reduce transaction costs
- Digital MRV tools adapted for smallholders
- Value-chain finance for upfront investment
- Community-led verification systems
- Nature-based solutions that restore ecosystems
Current Status
Expected Impact
20 Million Farmers
Accessing carbon markets with increased income
Carbon Sequestration
Millions of tons CO2e annually through regenerative practices
Ecosystem Restoration
Degraded lands restored with biodiversity co-benefits
Economic Opportunity
Additional income streams for rural communities
Global South Summits
Multi-stakeholder convenings for SDG localisation and South-South-North collaboration
The Challenge
Global frameworks like the SDGs often struggle with local implementation. Communities, governments, and organizations need platforms to bridge global ambitions with local realities, share experiences across regions, and co-create solutions that work in diverse contexts.
Our Approach
GSFN convenes multi-country, multi-stakeholder summits that:
- Bring together government, civil society, academia, and private sector
- Focus on actionable outcomes, not just dialogue
- Produce policy briefs and implementation frameworks
- Enable South-South learning and North-South collaboration
- Create ongoing communities of practice
Summits Delivered
8+ Regional Summits
Across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America
Europe Summit
Expanding South-South-North framework
Impact to Date
45+ Countries
Participated in regional summits
500+ Stakeholders
Government, NGO, academic, private sector
12+ Policy Briefs
Informing national and regional policy
3 Policies Adopted
Summit recommendations implemented by governments
GSFN Green Awards
World-class recognition framework for operational excellence and sustainability
The Challenge
Organizations need credible frameworks to assess and showcase their sustainability performance. Traditional certifications are often expensive, complex, or focused narrowly on environmental aspects without considering operational excellence.
The Green Awards Framework
A comprehensive assessment across 17+ categories evaluating:
- Environmental management and impact
- Social responsibility and community engagement
- Governance and transparency
- Operational excellence and innovation
- Economic sustainability
Award Categories
Programme Reach
150+ Applications
Organizations seeking recognition
45+ Awarded
Organizations certified for excellence
30+ Countries
Represented in awards programme
Student Auditor Track
Building green skills & employability
Student Auditor Programme
A unique initiative that trains students to become certified Green Auditors, providing them with practical skills, employability credentials, and hands-on experience in sustainability assessment. This creates a pipeline of green professionals while making audits more accessible.
Capacity Building & Knowledge Exchange
Webinar Series
Monthly webinars on carbon markets, ESG, SDG localisation, and sustainability best practices. Free for all network members.
- Expert speakers from around the world
- Interactive Q&A sessions
- Recorded for on-demand viewing
- CPD-accredited content
Certification Programmes
Professional certification in carbon farming, ESG auditing, and sustainability coordination for skill development.
- Green Auditor certification
- Carbon Farming practitioner
- ESG reporting specialist
- Recognized credentials
Research & Publications
Collaborative research with academic institutions producing actionable insights and peer-reviewed publications.
- Field research across regions
- Policy analysis & recommendations
- Case study documentation
- Open-access publications
Community of Practice
Regional and thematic communities for peer learning, resource sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Regional coordinator networks
- Thematic working groups
- Resource library access
- Mentorship programmes
How to Participate
As a Coordinator
Join our network to participate in programmes, access resources, and lead initiatives in your community.
Join NetworkAs a Partner
Collaborate on programme design, co-fund initiatives, or provide technical expertise for implementation.
Explore PartnershipAs a Sponsor
Support specific programmes through funding, in-kind contributions, or multi-year commitments.
Sponsor ProgrammesAs a Participant
Apply for Green Awards, attend summits, join webinars, or contribute to research initiatives.
View OpportunitiesProgramme Documentation
Download detailed information about our initiatives
20M Farmers Programme Brief
Comprehensive overview of objectives, methodology, and partnership opportunities
Download PDF