Over the past 15 years, forest restoration has gained importance worldwide, inextricably linked to the climate change agenda. In the eastern Amazon, a region colonized over a century ago, many farmers have developed forest restoration experiences, spontaneously or encouraged by institutional initiatives. Their strategies involve agroforestry systems, which combine socio-cultural, economic and ecological benefits. In the Sustenta & Inova project, we brought together a variety of stakeholders to compare different types of forest restoration and to foster collaborative learning regarding these restoration initiatives. To carry out this collaborative evaluation, we favor different learning spaces and methodologies: collective field measurements, serious games, empowerment of community leaders. By mobilizing a diverse network, we confront different visions of the challenges of forest restoration by family farmers to define actions to support them. There is still a certain invisibility of restoration processes by family farmers, which confirms

the importance and relevance of strengthening a network of restoration initiatives. By mapping more than 400 farmer initiatives, we revealed that forest restoration is an emerging phenomenon that deserves more attention from policymakers at all levels. 78% of farmers restored with agroforests.Although environmental restoration is rarely the primary goal, in many cases farmers have consciously tried to restore ecosystem services, particularly for water and biodiversity conservation, and they consider production improved following the diversification of the system. Among their motivations, they mention increased income, food sovereignty, embellishment of their property, exchanges with other farmers, and inheritance for their children. More than an evaluation of types of forest restoration, this process allows collective mobilization and consolidates a collaborative learning network. Community leaders become “ambassadors” of forest restoration, capable of negotiating actions and policies, based on a broader vision of forest restoration, which values the experiences and knowledge of farmers.