We have published thirteen articles on the special section The economies, ecologies, and politics of social forestry in Indonesia. The numerous social forestry permits being signed across Indonesia provide a timely area of inquiry. Evidence-based studies are still lacking on the processes and effects of the current policy imperative. Can social forestry achieve its promise of alleviating poverty, empowering communities, and improving forest governance? And if so, in what ways? Additionally, few studies are available on social forestry's role in responding to the broader and more contemporary issues such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, forest landscape and conservation, and green economy.