Development of business models for cooperation with the private sector as a instrument for socially acceptable restoration of near-natural forests

State programmes for forest protection and restoration take insufficient account of the protection of biodiversity and the support of local communities that have a major impact on forest areas. In cooperation with the private sector, the project developed sources of financing for the protection of biodiversity and the participation of the local population: forest areas are restored through agroforestry systems, for example, and smallholders were supported in implementing governmental requirements for the sustainable use of the areas in question. In model projects for the cocoa, honey and breadnut value chains, the project developed additional income opportunities for the population while at the same time conserving natural resources. The project experiences are to be used to develop criteria for efficient forest restoration strategies, and sustainable alternative uses and value chains of forest products are to be disseminated at local and national levels.

Project data

Countries: Guatemala
IKI funding: 7,099,995.00 €
Duration: 10/2015 till 12/2023
Status: completed
Implementing organisation: OroVerde - Die Tropenwaldstiftung
Political Partner: Ministry of Agriculture (MAGA) - Guatemala

Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) - Guatemala

National Forest Institute (INAB) - Guatemala
Implementing Partner: Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza - Guatemala

Heifer International - USA

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State of implementation/results

Project completed.
The project contributed to the achievement of Guatemala's NDC and was mentioned as an implementation measure in the national forest restoration strategy. It was part of the 20x20 initiative of the Bonn Challenge.
The project strengthened the development of local communities to independently manage the production, processing and commercialisation of products from biodiverse agroforestry systems, such as cocoa. 1,500 families participated in project activities.
As a result of the project, around 180,960 hectares of primary forest have been better protected, 932 hectares of forest have been restored and 560 hectares of already restored forest have been put to sustainable use.
The project strengthened the private sector's co-operation in forest development. To this end, a strategic alliance was established with the company CEMACO. With the support of CEMACO's investment, the goal was to plant 50,000 plants per year for 10 years.
The project helped to shape national environmental programmes: among other things, the project supported the regulations of the PROBOSQUE programme for the restoration and protection of forests in Guatemala with a new guide to the restoration of deciduous forests.
Strengthening the producer associations: Further training needs of community associations have been identified. Producers are being strengthened in their bookkeeping, in the operation of processing facilities and in marketing strategies.
The producers' association ASIPASM has received organic certification for its cocoa from the highlands of the Sierra de las Minas. This means that they have overcome another market hurdle and have already found international buyers for the current harvest of four tonnes of organic cocoa through the DeLaSelva cooperative.
The establishment of the "Ecosystem Restoration Fund" was in progress at the end of the project. It was intended to promote the protection of tropical forests in Guatemala. The fund idea was presented to the public for the first time at the Global Landscape Forum - as part of the online event "Dragons Den" GLF-Luxembourg, Finance for Nature by Global Landscape Forum.
Realisation of two Spanish project videos:
- 1. the overall WaldGewinn project (youtu.be/…)
- 2. financial mechanisms in the WaldGewinn project with a focus on financial topics such as microcredits and the establishment of a fund. (youtu.be/…)

Latest Update:
12/2024