Welcome to CBLI’s Community of Practice— Join Us to discover exclusive resources, share insights, and contribute your own content and events to benefit the community.
DISCLAIMER
the Community of Practice is currently being developed and will be operational between 1st and 2nd quarter of 2026.
Sections
About the Community of Practice (CoP)
The Community of Practice offers comprehensive features designed to facilitate meaningful information sharing related to the Congo Basin Landscapes Initiative, foster connections with experts and stakeholders, and enable collaborative innovation among peers.
This is a community for informal discussion, exchange of lessons learned, challenges and ideas for the sustainable use and management of natural resources in the Congo Basin Landscapes Initiative. The group is open to everyone but welcomes development practitioners, academia, donor community, civil society organizations and women and youth groups in particular.
Our CBLI CoP mission : Fostering integrated approaches to environmental conservation and community development across Congo Basin ecosystems through collaborative knowledge sharing that strengthens multi-stakeholder governance and on-the-ground implementation.
Why join the COP?
The Congo Basin Landscapes Initiative Community of Practice (CoP) gathers practitioners, decision-makers, donors, communities, civil society, and businesses ready to invest time, resources, and knowledge. The forum provides an open and a collaborative space for learning, dialogue and sharing on processes, approaches innovations and investments that drive and have the potential to catalyze green transformation of the Congo Basin.
The CoP will provide users with:
- Ease of communication with peers worldwide to build expertise and make new connections to share the latest knowledge and trends.
- Opportunities to ask questions and get answers and advice from experts or peers with similar challenges or relevant experiences.
- Space to engage on joint opportunities and projects.
- Greater visibility and awareness for their organisation, initiative, project, or event; and
- Access to inspirational content and conversations.
As a member of the Congo Basin Landscapes Initiative CoP, you join a growing global network focused on sharing and discussing the latest information, ideas, challenges, and opportunities for a sustainable economic transition in the Congo Basin.
Thematic groups
Our Thematic Groups provide members with dedicated online spaces to collaborate on specific themes, projects, and initiatives. Each Group is managed by designated Group Manager(s) who moderate conversations, review announcements, and create sub-groups for more focused discussions. Within these Groups, members can engage in conversations, upload and share relevant knowledge resources, post upcoming events, and highlight professional opportunities. Groups serve as focused hubs where like-minded professionals can dive deep into specialized topics, share best practices, and collectively solve complex challenges.
Biodiversity
Supports regional coordination and policy development related to biodiversity conservation and implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its protocols.
Climate change
Facilitates regional dialogue and harmonized action on climate change mitigation and adaptation, including alignment with UNFCCC processes and NDC implementation.
Forest Governance
Addresses issues of forest governance, transparency, legality, and stakeholder participation in the sustainable management of forest resources.
Combating Desertification and Land Degradation (GTCCD)
Coordinates efforts to combat desertification and promote sustainable land management.
Finance
Engages with regional and national stakeholders to mobilize and coordinate climate and biodiversity finance, including through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Gender
Promotes gender mainstreaming and the inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in forest and climate governance across the region.
Protected Areas and Wildlife
Focuses on protected areas and wildlife management, including combating wildlife crime and strengthening enforcement capacities.
How to engage
(Coming Soon)-
- Become a member – Click on one of the “Become a member” to our CoP buttons found throughout our site and follow the process
- Once you have received the confirmation of your registration, visit your thematic group(s) of Interest to introduce yourself and meet the other members of the community through our Forum message board.
- Regularly check in and engage to gain exclusive access to events, resources and opportunities as you move up our member ladder.
The cornerstone of our Community of Practice lies in our Collaborative Groups—specialized spaces designed for focused professional interactions and knowledge exchange. These serve multiple purposes, from providing an initial online presence for emerging sustainability initiatives to facilitating public discourse on environmental challenges and research developments related to specific themes.
Members can stay informed about relevant professional activities through our comprehensive events tracking system, which highlights upcoming conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities. Additionally, our news section keeps the community current on developments related to the Congo Basin and specifically work being done on the Congo Basin Landscapes Initiative. To engage with the community, follow the below steps:
- Become a member – Click on one of the “Become a member” to our CoP buttons found throughout our site and follow the process-
- Once you have received the confirmation of your registration, visit your thematic group(s) of Interest to introduce yourself and meet the other members of the community through our Forum message board.
- Regularly check in and engage to gain exclusive access to events, resources and opportunities as you move up our member ladder.
Our member levels reflect both rate of engagement (frequency and consistency) and level of contribution (quality, leadership, and outputs). Access privileges increase with level, encouraging deeper participation while preserving core community integrity.
Our member lader
| Level | Description | Who? | Access Privileges | Engagement Targets |
| Observer | “Starting to engage” | Newcomers exploring CBLI CoP. Low-commitment participants. | Public-facing posts in general threads. Public events and most open Café sessions. View and search transcripts/resources. Read-only interaction; basic commenting. | Read/consume content; attend occasional events |
| Participant | “Regular reader and participant” | Regular readers and occasional contributors. | Posts in general threads. Public events and most open Café sessions. Ability to Suggest Topics in Online Café (limited to 2–3 per quarter). View and search transcripts/resources. | Active participation on the message board. Attend 1–2 events per month. Contribute 1–2 Forum posts or comments per month. Participate in at least 1 Café Q&A session per quarter |
| Contributor | “Content creator and collaborator” | Active participants who contribute content, insight, and collaboration. | Create topic threads, upload resources. Access to exclusive Live Events. Ability to propose webinars/workshops topics through the Online Café. Upload original resources (with review). Co- Lead workshop sessions. | Active participation on the message board. Attend 1-2 events per month Publish 1–2 original resources or commentary per month. Lead or co-lead at least one discussion or workshop per quarter. |
| Advocate | “Leads initiatives and mentors” | Active participants who are recognized practitioners and actively drive projects and/or mentor others | Create and moderate topic threads, upload resources. Access to exclusive Live Events. Co- Lead workshop sessions. Priority speaking slots in Café sessions; moderation responsibilities for certain streams.
| Active participation on the message board. Attend a least 3 events per quarter Publish 3-4 original resources, case studies, project briefs, or guidance documents or commentary. Lead or co-lead at least 2 discussions or workshops per quarter. |
| Champion | “Strategic partner and program lead” | Active participants who actively use their with strategic influence to advance conservation works. | Featured strategic discussion. Co-moderation of major streams. Exclusive access to high-level briefs, research dashboards, and early-release materials. Priority registration; exclusive events; speaker slots. Lead workshop sessions. Co-host Webinar sessions Invitations to Exclusive strategy meetings and partner-only roundtables. | Active participation on the message board. Publish 3-4 original resources, case studies, project briefs, or guidance documents. Lead or co-lead at least 4 events/ quarter. Lead at least 1 capacity-building workshop/month. Spotlights the CBLI in external forums. |
COMING SOON
The CBLI CoP Online Café provides a dynamic learning environment with live interactive sessions led by industry experts and thought leaders. Moderated by the CBLI, the Café offers scheduled events and on-demand recordings, covering emerging trends, skill development, and collaborative problem-solving workshops. Members can suggest topics, volunteer as presenters, and participate in real-time Q&A sessions to foster direct knowledge exchange. Webinars and workshops are designed to be highly interactive, featuring breakout rooms, polls, and collaborative exercises. All sessions are archived with searchable transcripts and supplementary resources, building a comprehensive knowledge library for the CBLI community. The Online Café comprises:
- The Forum (message board): member discussions and a growing knowledge library.
- The Live Room: Calendar of members-only events and webinars, Live sessions, on-demand recordings, interactive features.
Join the CBLI CoP to connect with global practitioners, decision-makers, and partners working on climate and biodiversity solutions in the Congo Basin.
Maintaining a respectful and productive professional environment remains essential for effective knowledge sharing and collaboration. The Congo Basin Landscapes Initiative Community of Practice (CoP) is built around collaborative groups—specialized spaces for focused professional interactions and knowledge exchange. It serves as an online home for emerging sustainability initiatives and hosts public discussions on environmental challenges and theme-specific research developments. Members can interact with each other and participate and join meaningful conversation through our online cafe, track professional activities through our events page, which highlights conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities, while the CBLI news section keeps visitors informed about Congo Basin developments and CBLI and partners’ work.
Please make sure to read these community standards:
Professional Conduct
- Refrain from defamatory language, harassment, threats, or any behaviour that violates others’ rights, including privacy.
- Share content that is professional, appropriate, and lawful; ensure you have permissions and rights for documents or resources.
- Do not upload malware or corrupted files.
Content Standards
- Each member is responsible for accuracy and for respecting third-party IP rights.
- Contributions reflect personal perspectives and do not represent official CBLI positions.
Administrative Authority
- Moderators and group admins may remove content that violates guidelines and can suspend or terminate accounts for persistent breaches.
Registration
- Registration & Continued participation indicates acceptance of these standards.
- If you encounter content that violates guidelines, use the reporting function for review.
Q1: What is the CBLI Community of Practice (CoP)?
A: The CBLI CoP is a collaborative network that brings together practitioners, decision-makers, donors, communities, civil society, and businesses to advance climate and biodiversity solutions in the Congo Basin. It features Collaborative Groups and an Online Café with a Forum, and live, members-only events.
Q2: Who can join the CBLI CoP?
A: Anyone invested in the Congo Basin sustainability and Conservation—researchers, policymakers, NGO staff, community representatives, private-sector partners, and donors who align with CBLI’s and UNEP’s goals.
Q3: How do I join or participate?
A: Sign up on the CBLI CoP page, create a profile, and indicate your interests. Then you can join Collaborative Groups, participate in Online Café sessions, contribute to the Forum, or attend Live Events. CBLI CoP members progress through five levels: Observer, Participant, Contributor, Advocate, and Champion. Each level unlocks greater access and responsibilities, from viewing content to leading projects and strategic initiatives.
Q4: What are Collaborative Groups?
A: Themed spaces for focused professional interactions and knowledge exchange, serving as online homes for emerging sustainability initiatives and public discussions on environmental challenges and theme-specific research.
Q5: What is the Online Café, and what can I expect?
A: The Online Café hosts live, interactive sessions led by industry experts and thought leaders, with on-demand recordings. Sessions cover emerging trends, skill development, and collaborative problem-solving, and include Q&A, breakout rooms, polls, and collaborative exercises. All sessions are archived with transcripts and resources. You Can also access the Forum (Message board) to interact with other member by answering/asking a question, contributing knowledge or providing news/insights
Q6: How can I suggest topics or volunteer as a presenter for a live session/webinar?
A: Only [ Active- view member ladders] members can volunteer as presenters (for workshops or webinars) however, all members may, using the topic suggestion form within the Online Café or contact the CBLI CoP moderators. You can also propose themes through the message board, and they may be selected by our moderators.
Q7: What is contained in the knowledge library?
A: Archived Online Café Live sessions (with transcripts and resources), Resources, and saved presentations from Live Events.
Q8: How do I stay informed about events and news?
A: Check the Events calendar for upcoming conferences and workshops and read the CBLI News section for Congo Basin developments and CBLI updates. Also follow us on social media to stay up to dates with our activities.
Q9: What are the community standards and why are they important?
A: Standards cover Professional Conduct, Content Standards, Administrative Authority, and Participation. They ensure respectful, accurate, and legal sharing of information, enabling productive collaboration. Find them here
Q10: Can I share external resources or partner materials?
A: Yes, provided you have rights to share them and they comply with guidelines. Always verify permissions for IP rights.
Q11: How can I report issues or misconduct?
A: Use the reporting function within the CoP to flag content or behaviour that violates guidelines. Moderators will review and take appropriate action.
Q12: What is the expected time commitment for active participation?
A: Participation is voluntary, but regular involvement—attending Café sessions, contributing to discussions, and collaborating on projects—maximizes impact. Most Live activities would require 1–2 hours per month, with more for leadership roles.
Q13: How can I stay up to date if I can’t attend live sessions?
A: All Café sessions are archived with transcripts and resources, accessible on-demand. Subscribing to News or the Events feed helps. Additionally, our Stream tabs will highlight key activity within the community.
Q14: Who manages and moderates the CoP?
A: CBLI staff, moderators, and group admins oversee content, events, and standards, ensuring a constructive environment.
Q15: Can organizations host their own events within the CoP?
A: Partnered organizations may propose co-hosted sessions through the Online Café or Live Events calendar, subject to moderation and alignment with CBLI goals.
Q16: Is there a code of conduct or style guide for contributions?
A: Yes. All contributions should be professional, respectful, well-sourced, and compliant with IP rights and privacy considerations.
Q17: How does the CoP contribute to CBLI’s broader objectives?
A: By facilitating knowledge exchange, coordinating collaborative projects, and connecting global expertise with Congo Basin-specific challenges to accelerate climate and biodiversity solutions.
Q18: Who can I contact for more information?
A: Use the Contact or Help section on the CBLI CoP site or reach out to the designated CoP coordinator email.