Planting Empowerment

Original project description

Planting Empowerment has worked with rainforest communities since 2007 to create investment opportunities in sustainable forestry. The business model leverages financial markets, for both small-scale and large institutional investors, to reforest degraded land and promote the conservation of primary forest.
Through leasing land and profit sharing, Planting Empowerment provides a reliable source of income to local communities. Timber securities have historically outperformed broad market returns, and the investment products are expected to generate a return on investment between 7.3% and 9.3%.

The forestry investment opportunities offered by Planting Empowerment not only generate a competitive return on investment but create ecological and social benefits. Local partners become true stakeholders in the conservation and regeneration of their rainforests. This increases tropical forest conservation and promotes sustainable local governance of natural resources while contributing to climate change mitigation. The 20 hectares of mixed species trees already planted have sequestered 180 tons of CO² to date.
Planting Empowerment also provides scholarships for a small number of local schoolchildren, and is exploring development projects with the local communities.

Current project updates

No update available.

Growth plans description

• Expand the operations from the current 20 hectares to 120 hectares.
• With local partners, plan suitable plots, land lease contracts, planting and maintenance.
• Increase marketing and partnerships within the Socially Responsible Investment platforms.
• Increase revenues and customer base to become cash-flow positive by the end of 2010.
• Team up with ASOADICO on a UNDP- funded project to establish a native species nursery, reforest a plot with valuable native species interspersed with mixed food crops, and carry out a carbon baseline study.

Current Needs

• Advice and support with strategic business planning, marketing and Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration to bring the partnership on firm footing with Panamanian communities.
• Building relationships with accredited investors and financial service providers to extend the reach of the initiative.

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