The VCSL geographical reference region spans 18 districts across southeastern Tanzania, covering approximately 18.58 million hectares and representing about 19% of the country’s land area.

It includes 12 districts in the Lindi and Morogoro regions, as well as Nanyumbu and Masasi districts in the Mtwara Region, Tunduru District in the Ruvuma Region, Kibiti and Rufiji districts in the Coastal Region, and Kilolo District in the Iringa Region. These districts form a contiguous landscape within which the VCSL model may be applied.

As of 2026, the VCSL project area comprises 83 Village Land and Community Forest Reserves and three Local Authority Forest Reserves (LAFRs) across Lindi Municipality and the district councils of Liwale, Mtama, Nachingwea, Kilosa, Mvomero, and Morogoro.