GainForest XPRIZE Rainforest "Most Impact" Winner Edition ✖️🏆

GainForest is co-lead of ETH BioDivX, the XPRIZE Rainforest bonus prize award winner recognized as the “single most impactful approach/technology”. GainForest has worked with over 28 communities to bring crucial biodiversity data onchain, distributing $32K in conservation data income to local communities in 2024 for their role in recording crucial forestation and wildlife information, and co-hosted 13 workshops with local communities across 3 continents. GainForest is fostering global climate action through capacity building with local communities and scientists, maintaining a public database of AI+Environment models. By purchasing this ecocert, you are supporting the teams’ work on the ground to protect the world’s rainforests and incentivize local participation in climate initiatives. This is a special Celo x GainForest celebration edition.

Bees and Trees: Restoring Land through Agroforestry in Uganda

Bees and Trees motivates smallholder farmers in Uganda to restore degraded land through incentives. They gift beehives and coffee seedlings to farmers. This motivates the farmers to plant coffee shade trees and bee forage species, integrating trees into their farms. So far, 734 trees have been planted and marked on the GainForest Green Globe. The trees contribute to land and habitat restoration, mitigate climate change and prevent landslides. At the same time honey and coffee sales provide additional income to the farmers; while the bees enhance food production and biodiversity through pollination.The social enterprise also purchases coffee grown under agroforestry at premium prices, further motivating farmers to integrate and preserve trees on their farms.

Help Inhaã-bé Village Access Clean Water

The Inhaã-bé village, a close-knit indigenous community, is facing a severe crisis as two consecutive years of extreme drought have left them struggling with limited access to water, food, and essential supplies. The situation has particularly impacted their children, who must endure a six-hour walk under the scorching sun to reach school. In response, Gainforest and Oya Institute have partnered with the community to launch a fundraising campaign aimed at constructing an artesian well and purchasing a quad bike. These solutions would provide reliable access to clean water and safer transportation, helping the community maintain their traditional way of life while building resilience against the increasing challenges of climate change. The campaign seeks donations and social sharing to support these vital infrastructure improvements that would significantly impact the daily lives of community members.

Santa Helena do Ingles Biodiversity Monitoring

Santa Helena do Ingles is a community located in the Negro River margins. Since I was born I live here, and since the age of 12 years old, my father brought me and my brother to work with him cutting trees in the forest as our only way to earn income. Here people often didn’t have a chance to study, but due to most of the time being spent in the forest, the forest educated us. We have learned how to read nature. Today, our community can make money on less hurtful activities such as tourism, fishing and biodiversity monitoring, like the work done with GainForest, and without having to spend months away in the forest. Today I am a successful owner of a Jungle Inn in the Negro River margin where I earn a living by conserving our biodiversity and teaching about our territories. Our community now can thrive through other non-harmful activities such as community-based tourism, artcrafts, and selling of fruits and fish. However, due to extreme droughts in the Amazon, our guests cannot reach our communities in those seasons. The income we earn from biodiversity monitoring through GainForest gives us extra financial support and gives me a lot of information about our species that I share with my guests on our tours. I am monitoring the biodiversity of my territory through the use of Audiomoths and drone imaging from the canopy of our community’s most vital trees for our socio-economic well-being. By combining our traditional knowledge of flowering and fruiting seasons with precise tree mapping, assisted by the GainForest team, we created digital maps that guide us directly to productive trees. This reduced long forest searches to single-day operations, significantly improving our harvesting efficiency of target species and lowering our exposure to diseases such as malaria and dengue. Audio recorder implementation and sound analysis were essential for capturing bird, frog, insect and mammal species richness and their daily dynamics, allowing us to identify the best hours for hunting, for spotting targeted species in trails with guests, and for identifying the presence of culturally important species such as the Urutau, (a.k.a. the ghost bird; Moon’s mother) (Nictibyus griseus). It also allowed my son to earn a support income through GainForest’s Conservation Data Income (CDI). These solutions provide a reliable support income while empowering our communities’ traditional way of living.

Bawan Village Post-Fire Agroforestry Project

From 2022 to December 2023, the Pandu Alam Lestari Foundation (PAL), supported by Heidehof Stiftung, piloted a land restoration project in Bawan Village, Central Kalimantan. The initiative focused on rehabilitating fire-impacted land through agroforestry, planting 3,400 trees across 10 hectares and integrating environmental education and sustainable land practices. Throughout 2023, regular maintenance was conducted every three months, including cleaning around the trees, applying manure, and replacing dead seedlings. These efforts, spanning both rainy and dry seasons, engaged local farmers, students, and women’s groups in long-term restoration and agroforestry practices. In a region where land restoration competes with extractive industries like mining and palm oil plantations, the project gauged local interest in agroforestry as a viable, sustainable alternative. Despite challenges such as poor soil and limited landowner participation, the project laid the groundwork for future community-led restoration efforts and economic resilience.

Parque das Tribos: Digital capacity building for Indigenous communities

The Parque das Tribos is dedicated to preserving Indigenous culture while integrating modern technology. Through workshops on Artificial Intelligence, we are introducing AI to our community to enhance cultural preservation, protect the environment, and strengthen our traditions. These workshops also offer the community tools to apply technology in local projects like reforestation and language preservation, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. This work is vital for ensuring our culture thrives in the modern world while maintaining a sustainable relationship with our lands and waters. We are using our AI system, Tainá, to gather and share important data about our green areas, such as environmental conditions and audio recordings of the forest. This data helps us better understand and protect our land and waters, preserving traditional knowledge and ensuring the sustainability of our natural resources for future generations.

Climatica Foundation: Agroforestry for Climate Resilience in Uganda

This project in Ngora District, Eastern Uganda, aimed to enhance climate resilience and improve agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers. In March-April 2024, Climatica Foundation planted 2,000 trees using agroforestry techniques on local farms. The initiative not only improved soil health, crop yields, and the microclimate but also trained 5 youth farmers in tree mapping technology, allowing them to monitor tree growth and track the planting sites using satellite data. The project is set to continue, with plans to plant 3,500 more trees along road reserves in Odwarat Subcounty.

SORALO Women-Led Grass Seed Banks

SORALO’s Women-Led Grass Seed Banks restore degraded rangelands while creating economic opportunities for Maasai women. At the Lenkobei site, one of four sites across 80 hectares, 20 women are actively involved in cultivating and harvesting native grasses to reseed overgrazed lands, revitalizing grazing areas, and strengthening ecosystem health. So far, the initiative has restored over 80 acres, ensuring sustainable pastoralism and wildlife coexistence. Beyond ecological impact, the seed banks generate income that supports families and funds school bursaries, fostering long-term community resilience. By combining restoration with economic empowerment, SORALO is securing a healthier future for both people and nature.

Oceanus Conservation: Integrating Local Knowledge and Technology for Mangrove Conservation in Barangay Tumanan (December 2024)

The BKCF Project: AI/Machine Learning-powered Digital Monitoring of Mangrove Ecosystems is a collaboration between Thinking Machines, Oceanus Conservation, and GainForest, conducted in Bislig, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Oceanus trained 11 local surveyors to use smartphones for data collection, replacing traditional pen-and-paper methods. Combining their local knowledge with technology, the surveyors documented 600 mangrove trees, recording species, diameter at breast height (DBH), height, GPS coordinates, and photos of tree barks, leaves, flowers, and fruits. These parameters are key in determining the carbon potential of each tree. The surveyors collectively earned 40 pesos per tree, providing a form of supplemental livelihood. A total of 48,000 pesos was distributed through two wallet accounts managed by field officers, who facilitated cash withdrawals and ensured transparent payment distribution. By integrating local expertise with technology, the project provided exposure to digital tools and actively involved communities in mangrove conservation efforts.

GPKenya: Where revival meets regeneration for Earth’s rebirth.

Our initiative is tackling two interconnected challenges: environmental degradation (specifically soil health and deforestation) and limited access to education/collaboration in regenerative practices and web3 technologies. By combining ecological restoration with community-driven innovation, we aim to create a sustainable, circular model that benefits both ecosystems and local communities. Key Projects & Progress 1. Regen Tourist Hub / Co-Working Spaces -Problem Addressed: Fragmented knowledge-sharing and lack of physical spaces for collaboration in regenerative agriculture and web3 ecosystems. - Solution: We are establishing a hub in Kenya to host workshops, attract global web3 leaders (e.g., Celo, Vitalik Buterin), and foster partnerships. -Progress: Hosted 5 events (150+ attendees), positioning Kenya as a nexus for regenerative and web3 innovation. 2. Organic Fertilizer Production -Problem Addressed: Reliance on synthetic fertilizers and poor soil health in agriculture. -Solution: Scaling compost/biochar production (5+ tonnes made) to replace chemicals, improve soil, and reduce waste. Direct supply to our regenerative farming initiatives. 3. Regenerative Farming & Tree Planting -Problem Addressed: Deforestation and unsustainable farming practices. -Solution: Planting 100+ trees using organic fertilizer, creating a closed-loop system (fertilizer → crops → carbon sequestration). Impact & Synergies -Environmental: Improved soil health, carbon capture via trees, and reduced chemical use. -Community: Educated 150+ participants on web3/regeneration, fostering Kenya’s role as a global hub. -Economic: Revenue from the Regen Hub and fertilizer sales aim to sustain operations long-term. Overall Vision: A self-sustaining ecosystem where regenerative agriculture, web3 innovation, and community education reinforce each other to combat climate change and economic inequity"

Tamagochi at Riverside

Project Title: Tamagochi at Riverside
 Timeline: March 2023 – December 2023
 Location: Huangxi River Corridor, Tianmu District, Taipei City, Taiwan Summary and Quantifiable results : This project combines environmental education with Web3 tools to reconnect urban residents with the Huangxi River(Formal name: Southern Sulfur creek) in Taipei. In partnership with Formosa Art Bank DAO (FAB DAO), the Huangxi Environmental Education Programme (HEEP) engaged over 3,000 students and parents at Mingde Elementary School through a hands-on river corridor challenge and interactive NFT-based learning tools. Participants earned “Stream Guardian” badges and NFTs—such as a digital White-breasted Waterhen—by completing ecological missions, sparking curiosity and awareness of riparian biodiversity. Beyond the school, the project reached over 50,000 local residents and connected with 20+ online and offline communities through workshops, digital campaigns, and habitat restoration events.  It contributes to build public-private collatoration on watershed governace.Over 300 NFTs were issued as proof of participation (POAP)and engagement, tracking involvement and supporting long-term community stewardship. In two pilot zones along the Huangxi, reduced dredging and vegetation removal allowed native species to return, and natural habitat to restore—monitored in part by students and community volunteers. This project demonstrates how combining civic action, education, and digital tools can restore ecological relationships and encourage sustainable urban watershed governance. Tamagochi at Riverside NFT: https://akaswap.com/akaobj/14470 Heart of the River Corridor POAP: https://akaswap.com/akaobj/14471

Kokonut Adelphi Ecological Census

We've performed an ecological census at Kokonut Adelphi; this is an on-the-ground survey we perform in the design phase of our Syntropic Farms to use this data to determine the location and species selection to be planted, to create an ecosystem that fosters soil regeneration and parity with the local environment. For this survey we first performed a cleanup of the entire area then proceed with registering every tree by name, state and location using OSS Tools in order to generate ortophoto and GeoJSON with the data for us to have a 3D Model of the land and its density of trees. We have registered 154 trees across a spectrum of forest, fruit, and flower species. For this activity, we had a group of friends alongside members of the Kokonut Core Team and the partners that own the land where this Syntropic Farm is being developed.

Science-Based Assessment of Mangrove Restoration Potential in Capalonga

Wovoka Philippines, in partnership with the Capalonga Mangrove Development Association (CAMADA), is implementing the 1H2Inspire1000 project to restore degraded fishponds in Capalonga, Camarines Norte, with mangroves, running from June 2025 to June 2028. Prior to project implementation, a feasibility assessment was conducted to ensure ecological suitability and community readiness. This included measuring diameter at breast height (DBH), canopy height, and community structure; monitoring water levels; interviewing community members; documenting past planting projects; and checking the current status of existing mangroves. The community took geotagged photos using smartphones to support data collection. Abandoned and active fishponds were delineated using Google Earth Engine and later validated on the ground. Your support will help scale this science-backed, community-driven approach to safeguard the coast and strengthen the resilience of communities in Camarines Norte, which faces frequent typhoons and is highly vulnerable to storm surges.

Ecovillage network GEN Ukraine

Our project supports ecological regeneration and community resilience in war-affected regions of Ukraine through collaborative land restoration initiatives. Coordinated by GEN Ukraine, a network of 60+ rural ecovillages, we involve residents, displaced families, eco-activists, and international allies in restoring biodiversity, water systems, and landscape health. Restoration actions are community-led, uniting villagers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), eco-activists, and international volunteers across all ages. Local families prepare lands, maintain ecosystems, and integrate ecological improvements into daily life, engaging 20–40 participants per event. Women and youth notably drive ongoing care and education. Spanning over 11 ecovillages including Gruzke, Vesela Slobidka, Posolon, Zhyvy Dim, Kukhari, Tepla Hora (Carpathians), Vasylivka, Chmyrivka, Bhumi, Balyky, and Lahulsk Dendropark, these efforts represent robust grassroots initiatives addressing land degradation and climate challenges despite ongoing conflict. Key activities include planting over 2000 trees and shrubs (linden, mulberry, pine, hazel, rhododendrons), establishing water management systems in Tepla Hora, Chmyrivka, and Vasylivka, and initiating grazing-based regeneration through eco-farms in Bhumi and Balyky. Lahulsk Dendropark has seen the construction of a 3 km ecological road supporting reforestation and conservation. Quantifiable impacts include: - 2000+ trees and bushes planted - 5 water systems established or underway - 4 hectares restored via lake and wetlands - 100 meters of river cleared - Improved biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in multiple regions This initiative demonstrates that communities can regenerate nature and foster social healing, making meaningful strides toward a sustainable future.

Planting of the Redemption Hill Agroforestry System

The project has brought Syntropic Agriculture to a rural community in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Like many others this family had been dedicated to monocultures of cattle and pasture. Thanks to the will of the son, we were able to bring long term policulture and productive consortiums to the family's legacy. Since the first season the system has yielded 60 kg of beans, 120 kg of rice, 40 kg of corn, peanuts, cassava, sugar cane and over 150 syntropic nests (diverse pockets of forest species, banana rhizomes, Mexican sunflowers, and jackbeans), ensuring food security, a genetic bank of seeds and a dignifing future for the involved families. Now, we’re expanding. With your support, we’ll purchase native seedlings to enrich the agroforestry system, turning this land into a model of regeneration for other rural families.

Fork Forest

The Cortina Forestal project in Los Cerrillos, Córdoba, is a community initiative led by students and engineer Fernando Parra from I.P.E.A N° 230, with support from organizations such as Zapam Zucum and Fork Forest. Its objective is to mitigate the impact of agrochemicals derived from intensive farming, improving the quality of life of the town's 1,200 inhabitants. The active participation of young people, teachers, authorities, and artists has been key in the design, planting of 600 trees, installation of drip irrigation, and maintenance of the area, complemented by educational workshops, community murals, and cultural activities to strengthen the social fabric. This intervention, located on the agricultural edge of the town, has successfully mobilized 150 people and offers long-term ecological, health, and social benefits. Its results include progress toward a community ordinance formalizing the project, the restoration of the area's landscape, and the promotion of sustainable productive alternatives, such as agroecology and digital economy workshops with support from INTA (National Institute of Statistics and Census). The forest curtain not only protects health and restores biodiversity, but also strengthens community identity, promoting a replicable and low-cost model toward a more just and agroecological future.

Solar Lanterns for Energy Access in East & West Africa 2024

In 2024, The Solar Foundation funded and distributed 350 solar lanterns to communities in Uganda and Nigeria. Solar lanterns provide light and charging for phones to those living without electricity. We see the lanterns as the first step to bringing people out of energy poverty. We have received feedback that they have helped children study at night, help keep phones charged and provide light at evening markets. Ayowecca Uganda - Tororo, Uganda - 285 lanterns Helper Foundation - Enugu, Nigeria - 50 lanterns Care for the Needy - Mityana, Uganda - 15 lanterns

Go Green, Save the Mangroves

Between January and February 2025, Blue Carbon Tanzania (BCT) and local communities planted 4,320 mangroves across two hectares in Kisiju, Tanzania! These incredible trees will protect coastlines from erosion, support marine biodiversity, and absorb around 2,000 tons of carbon over their lifetime—equivalent to taking 1,500 cars off the road for an entire year! 🚗💨❌. 🌱 Mangroves provide additional benefits like the nursery and breeding grounds for fishes, homes for marine organisms and biodiversity, recreational and education values. With your support, we can scale up this impact! Every $1 plants a mangrove, protecting our planet for future generations.

Tree Planting at ReFi Week 2023!

ReFi Week at The Traditional Dream Factory (TDF) was a bold experiment in regenerative collaboration. Organized by ReFi DAO Global in partnership with Regens Unite, Bankless DAO, ReFi Lisboa, Treegens, dMeter, Silvi Protocol, Crypto Commons Association, and others, this week-long event brought together over 40 participants from around the world to regenerate the local ecosystem, deepen community, and prototype the future of decentralized finance for planetary healing. ## Community Involvement Set in the regenerative village of TDF in Portugal, ReFi Week offered a hands-on, immersive experience rooted in co-living, permaculture, and shared learning. Community members, including Web3 builders, regenerative farmers, digital artists, and local residents, participated in collaboration to plant trees, explore ecological outcomes measurement approaches, and ideate systems for long-term regenerative funding using tools like Hypercerts and Gitcoin. The diversity of participants fostered a fertile ground for interdisciplinary innovation and cultural exchange. ## Scale & Impact The project took place on 7 hectares of land at TDF, a site dedicated to long-term ecological restoration and regenerative living. Over the course of ReFi Week, 700 trees were planted with the support of 40 volunteers. This effort was part of a broader initiative to plant 1,000 trees, sponsored by Silvi Protocol. The environmental interventions here aim to restore biodiversity, enhance carbon sequestration, regenerate degraded soils and contribute to a thriving food forrest with adaptive agroforestry. ## Activities & Approach The planting process was supported by Silvi's decentralized Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) technology, leveraging mobile and drone-based ground-truthing tools to create "genesis claims" on-chain. These claims provide verifiable records of ecological restoration, laying the groundwork for future impact-linked funding mechanisms. The project also explored the use of the Ecological Benefits Framework (EBF) to assess and eventually quantify impact across multiple dimensions: air quality, water conservation, biodiversity, equity, and carbon drawdown. Participants explored the intersection of ecology, Web3, and public goods—hosting strategy sessions on the use of Hypercerts for capturing and funding impact, as well as engaging in storytelling and digital media creation to amplify the message of regeneration. ## Quantifiable Results - 700 trees planted across a 7-hectare site - 40+ participants from 10+ countries directly engaged - Deployment of Silvi's dMRV system at TDF, with genesis claims minted on-chain - New prototypes for Hypercerts and Gitcoin-based funding models discussed and seeded ## Lets Grow ReFi Week demonstrated the power of place-based regenerative action combined with digital coordination tools to scale trust, transparency, and collaboration. It marks a step towards building a new regenerative economy—one where ecological integrity, community resilience, and decentralized innovation come together to heal our planet.

Hofi Kolektivo - Agroforestry in Curacao (2024)

Hofi Kolektivo is a community agroforestry farm of about 0.5 acre in Scherpenheuvel, Curacao. The location is managed by Kolektivo Curacao Foundation, a local non-profit dedicated to improving the well-being of the island through regenerative practices. Hofi Kolektivo is being maintained by a local network of contributors who are paid in-kind (fruits and vegatables harvested) and occasscional contribution based financial rewards. Since the start of the 2024, Hofi Kolektivo has had nearly 20 community work days, facilitated 5 workshops and courses, and planted over 300 trees and plants from 30+ different species, including an endangered species of local Kapok. Hofi Kolektivo has also hosted two community markets. In total over 250 people have participated in Hofi Kolektivo and 0.2 hectares have been restored.

Conservation of the Axolotl and Restoration of the Xochimilco Wetland.

This project focuses on the ecological restoration of a 3-hectare lagoon in the Xochimilco wetland, a Ramsar site in Mexico City. Its main goal is to protect the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), a critically endangered and endemic species, by creating the largest natural sanctuary for this species within the wetland system. Led by the Mexican environmental NGO MOJA, the initiative combines scientific restoration, environmental education, and community engagement. High-impact activities include water quality monitoring (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, nutrients), reintroducing native aquatic plants, and improving hydrological connectivity by cleaning access canals. Floating enclosures are installed to protect axolotls from invasive species such as tilapia and carp. Sustainable infrastructure—rainwater harvesting systems, composting toilets, and a future visitor center—is being built to support monitoring, education, and volunteer coordination. The project also includes the legal establishment of a Wildlife Management Unit (UMA). Over 160 volunteers and 200 students have participated in restoration, awareness campaigns, and workshops. More than 1,000 native plants have been reintroduced, and baseline data from environmental monitoring have been collected. The project contributes to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation (via carbon storage), aquifer recharge, and the preservation of traditional chinampa agriculture in urban environments.

ReFi Lagos: Project OSISI

Project OSISI is a ReFi Lagos ecosystem project connecting impact donors to tree-planting events in Nigeria. OSISI Pilot Farm is a 1040-SQM tree nursing garden in Badagry town, Lagos State. It serves as a hub for nursing and distribution of tree seedlings By establishing this pilot garden, we've gained valuable insights into several key aspects of the tree nursing business: 1) Unit Cost Analysis: Understanding the cost of producing tree seedlings is crucial for scaling up tree planting efforts and creating sustainable environmental programs. 2) Distribution Methods: The pilot has allowed us to test and refine strategies for distributing planting materials and tree seedlings, which can inform future tree planting festivals Community Involvement: Project OSISI enables land stewards to organize tree-planting events in schools and climate-affected communities in Nigeria. OSISI works with coconut farmers in Badagry, empowering them to grow and sell tree seedlings. Scale and Impact: The OSISI Pilot farm employs 3 farmers to nurse tree seedlings. The farm has successfully grown 100 tree seedlings ready to be transplanted. Activities & Approach: We take pride in our mutual partnership with NGOs and governments. Project OSISI recently secured the approval of Lagos State Government Education Districts to implement tree-planting festivals in 8 schools in Lagos. Quantifiable Result: OSISI pilot farm sits on a 1040 SQM farmland where we grow tree seedlings and banana/plantain fruits. Project OSISI has planted over 200 trees in schools, recreational parks, and coastal communities in Nigeria

GINAKEV FARMS: A Regenerative Agroforestry Hub for Eco Restoration

GINAKEV FARMS: Restoring Land & Ecosystems through Agroforestry 📍 Location: Amalla Community, Udenu LGA, Enugu State, Nigeria
➤ Focus Areas: Reforestation | Land Restoration | Agroforestry | Community Empowerment Cultivating a Regenerative Future
Ginakev Farms is dedicated to restoring degraded land, increasing tree cover, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. With 100 plots (≈11.48 acres / 4.65 hectares) secured for conservation and regenerative agriculture, we are integrating agroforestry practices that benefit both the environment and the local economy. Since 2023, we have focused on cashew tree conservation, protecting mature trees from deforestation and expanding cultivation. * 5 plots (≈0.57 acres / 0.23 hectares) contain existing cashew trees preserved for biodiversity and soil health. * 15 plots (≈1.72 acres / 0.70 hectares) now host 82 newly planted cashew trees as part of reforestation efforts. Scaling Impact & Future Goals * In 2025, we plan to establish a structured palm tree plantation (643 trees) on 80 plots (≈9.18 acres / 3.72 hectares). * Long-term vision: Expand to 800 plots (≈91.8 acres / 37.2 hectares) for a 5,000-tree palm reforestation project. Why This Matters
By restoring forests, improving soil health, and securing land tenure through a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Ginakev Farms is pioneering sustainable agroforestry that benefits both nature and local farmers—creating a scalable, climate-positive impact."

Adopt A Tree in Kenya

The Adopt a Tree initiative is a climate education and tree-planting project targeting school children and communities in Bungoma and Kakamega Counties, Western Kenya. It aims to instill environmental stewardship in children while promoting agroforestry practices among farmers to enhance food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience. By integrating trees with food crops, the project contributes to carbon sequestration, soil restoration, and sustainable livelihoods. In the past one year, we have been able to train more than 300 learners on planting and taking care of trees. Each has adopted 2 trees. This has enabled us to plant more than 700 trees in diferent sites. We are moving to integrating this with agroforestry so as to include the communitues around the schools in planting trees together with their crops, this will lead to increased food security, soil restoration and sustainable livelihoods. Your donation to the Adopt a Tree project supports climate action, environmental education, food security, and community resilience—all in one initiative. It’s a chance to make a tangible, lasting difference in people’s lives and the planet’s future.

Rio Sagrado AI Avatar

The Rio Sagrado Avatar is a digital-physical embodiment of the Rio Sagrado in Morretes, Paraná (Brazil). It serves both educational and political purposes by giving voice to a threatened river within one of the world’s most biodiverse biomes—the Atlantic RainForest. The 21km river carries cultural and historical importance, having once provided refuge for fleeing slaves and lending its name to a major neighborhood. Today, it faces grave risks from an international railroad project that threatens to destroy over 100 water springs in the region. In response, the local community is mobilizing to defend the river, advocating for its recognition as a legal entity with rights. To amplify this movement, the AI Avatar was co-created as a symbolic and functional spokesperson for the river. It includes a handcrafted sculpture by a local artisan, an AI interface trained on scientific and cultural knowledge about the watershed, and a system of environmental sensors for real-time monitoring of water quality. Accessible via web and WhatsApp, the AI Avatar allows the river to “speak” and share its story. It not only engages the public but also supports legal and policy advocacy efforts. As such, it has sparked broader initiatives aimed at fostering an understanding of the Rio Sagrado as a living entity with legal rights, including a community-led short film and original song and the draft of a Rights of Nature bill to be presented to the municipality's government. Furthermore, the project sparked a partnership with the MAPAS ONG towards a campaign to fund new AI Avatars for legally recognized ecosystems across Brazil.

Climate Education and Tree Planting in Nigeria

The Green Planet Conservation Initiative (GPCI) is driving transformative impact across communities through bold climate action and education. To date, GPCI has successfully planted over 1,500 trees across various schools, reinforcing its commitment to environmental restoration and youth engagement. In a landmark community event, the organization distributed 500 tree seedlings in a single day, empowering hundreds of participants to join in reforestation efforts.GPCI proudly hosted a flagship climate action program with over 1,000 attendees, including students, educators, government officials, and environmental experts—marking a significant milestone in public awareness and mobilization. Through its innovative school outreach, GPCI has trained 250 students as Tree Ambassadors, equipping them with practical skills and leadership tools to champion sustainability within their schools and communities.The initiative has further extended its reach by delivering climate education to over 15,000 students across many schools, fostering a new generation of eco-conscious leaders. To ensure transparency and accountability in its restoration efforts, GPCI has also integrated dMRV (Digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) tools—specifically the Silvi Protocol—to digitally track tree planting activities, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach that blends environmental action with Web3 technology.

Unlocking Access to Finance for Kenyan Coffee Farmers

Community Involvement Project Mocha empowers over 700,000 smallholder coffee farmers in Kenya by integrating their assets into a blockchain-based ecosystem. Farmers actively participate by geo-tagging their coffee trees, contributing productivity data through IoT sensors, and receiving direct financial incentives tied to their output. This engagement ensures traceability, transparency, and fair pricing, addressing exploitation by intermediaries and financial exclusion. Scale & Impact The project operates in Kenya, targeting smallholder farmers who collectively produce high-quality Arabica coffee. Phase 1 (2025) begins with 2,000 trees. The initiative aims to increase productivity from the current average of 0.2 kg/tree to 1–2.5 kg/tree, potentially boosting coffee output by over 300%. This transformation could benefit millions in coffee-growing communities while creating a sustainable financial ecosystem. Activities & Approach Project Mocha tokenizes coffee trees and beans via blockchain technology. Farmers receive Mocha Bean Tokens (MBTs) backed by their coffee output, enabling access to on-chain liquidity for farm rehabilitation and productivity investments. Activities include: Geo-tagging trees for proof of reserves. Applying modern agronomic practices like fertilization, pest management, and irrigation. Implementing climate-smart agroforestry techniques to enhance biodiversity and carbon sequestration. These actions are vital for increasing yields, mitigating climate risks, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Quantifiable Results Hectares Restored: Thousands of hectares will be rehabilitated through improved soil health and tree rejuvenation practices. People Impacted: Over 700,000 farmers benefit directly from financial inclusion and productivity gains. Species Protected: Agroforestry practices promote biodiversity by intercropping coffee with shade trees. Economic Outcomes: Farmers' income increases through direct market access and elimination of exploitative intermediaries. Productivity is projected to rise by over 300%, generating significant economic value for Kenya's coffee industry. Compelling Benefits Project Mocha revolutionizes coffee farming by bridging the gap between farmers and global markets. It fosters financial inclusion, enhances productivity, mitigates climate risks, and ensures fair compensation for farmers—all while offering investors exposure to a real-world commodity. By leveraging blockchain technology, the project creates a transparent and sustainable model that benefits both nature and the community

Greening Health Centers in Uganda

Over 70% of healthcare facilities in Uganda lack climate adaptation measures, leaving them vulnerable to extreme weather, infrastructure damage and reduced service delivery. Climatica Foundation is integrating nature-based solutions, especially through fruit tree planting into the Ugandan healthcare systems to address this. Our impact • 488 trees planted and mapped across 30 health facilities in Uganda. • 93 healthcare staff trained in climate change adaptation and best tree-growing practices. • Improved climate resilience, nutrition, and air quality within health centers. • Strengthened long-term sustainability through community-led monitoring and care. Proof of impact • We have gathered impact data and have realized an 80% tree survival rate • Tree mapping data on GainForest platform Your support will enable Climatica Foundation to expand this initiative, restoring landscapes, strengthening healthcare resilience, and empowering communities to combat climate change. Every donation plant more trees, trains more healthcare workers, and safeguards Uganda's health systems for the future.

Kimmi Restoration Campaign at Kimmi Island

The Kimi Restoration Campaign is a community-led initiative on Kimi Island, Uganda, addressing the challenges faced by its approximately 5,500 residents in Kimi Kachanga and Kimi Banga. Prompted by inadequate infrastructure, limited healthcare, environmental degradation, and the aftermath of a 2017 fire, the campaign adopts a multi-faceted approach with active participation from local leaders and residents. Spearheaded by the Green Ambassadors Club and other partners, the initiative prioritizes youth empowerment through skill development to enhance livelihoods and healthcare access. Key focus areas include environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods, with youth training in soap making and crafting reusable sanitary towels to reduce reliance on the mainland and create local jobs. Healthcare improvement involves installing a solar-powered system at the clinic for proper medicine storage, advocating for a stationed nurse, and organizing medical camps, one recently serving 1,500 residents. The campaign also focuses on renewable energy and clean lighting by distributing solar lamps to students and families, and on hygiene and sanitation through the construction of additional restrooms near schools and the clinic. The campaign has already achieved tangible impact by training 500 youth and single mothers in skills like soap and Vaseline making and providing food and clothing to vulnerable families. By emphasizing local ownership and capacity building, the Kimi Restoration Campaign is committed to fostering a healthier, more self-reliant, and environmentally conscious community.

Ayowecca Uganda: Regenerative Agricultural Pactices and Climate Education in Uganda

We are Ayowecca Uganda, transforming lives at the critical intersection of human development and environmental restoration. Born as a grassroots initiative in 2018, we've evolved into an NGO that uplifts communities while healing the earth. We have planted over 5000 fruit trees in schools, health centers and distributed communities for food security and increase plantations and forest cover. Our impact spans multiple sectors: we restore wetlands, peatlands, and vital ecosystems; implement agroforestry initiatives and fruit tree planting to combat food insecurity; address plastic waste management; and promote energy conservation. Simultaneously, we provide educational support to vulnerable children, train adolescent girls and women to produce reusable sanitary products, conduct clean water campaigns, and actively empower women and children through community awareness programs. What sets us apart? Our belief that lasting change happens when communities develop their own solutions. We don't just address today's challenges—we build resilience for tomorrow by equipping people with the skills, confidence, and resources to create sustainable futures where both humans and nature thrive.

Kendir Regenerative Hemp Cultivation

The Kendir Hemp Cultivation project in Türkiye is a regenerative farming initiative aimed at restoring soil health, biodiversity, and traditional agricultural knowledge. From April 4 to September 28, 2024, we cultivated 41,6 decares of heirloom hemp through a collaborative effort involving over 15 local community members. This effort produced 43 tons of hemp stalks and 3,000+ kg of seeds while supporting ecological balance and local livelihoods. This work revives Kendir (Cannabis sativa L.), a forgotten yet highly versatile plant with deep cultural roots. Historically marginalized for over a century, hemp is now being reintroduced to support modern industries including textiles, food, construction, paper, and bio-packaging. Our cultivation process began with regenerative soil preparation: compost, mycorrhizae, and organic manure, alongside heirloom seeds selected for their adaptability. Planting followed precise spacing and depth guidelines, with irrigation handled through careful sprinkler use. Manual weeding maintained soil structure and team engagement. To enhance biodiversity, we integrated over 100 beehives into the hemp fields. These supported a thriving pollinator ecosystem and even resulted in cannabis honey; a rare and valuable product of agroecological synergy. Key Impacts: - Empowered and employed local farmers - Revived heirloom hemp and traditional knowledge - Enriched soil fertility through biological amendments - Boosted biodiversity with heirloom seeds and beehives - Contributed raw material to regenerative industry value chains Looking ahead, we plan to expand to new lands in 2025, scaling our impact and deepening our commitment to a regenerative future.

Greeening Nigeria: Clean Water & Tree Planting

Helpers Social Development Foundation is a grassroots nonprofit focused on improving rural well-being through sustainable, community-led initiatives. Our Water & Green Life program combines access to clean water with environmental restoration to support healthier, more resilient communities. In Ogbunka, Anambra State and Amechi primary school, Enugu State, we installed a solar-powered borehole at Umunebo Ogbunka and water facility at Amechi primary School. This system now provides safe drinking water to students and nearby residents. Before installation, we conducted a community needs assessment involving local leaders, women, and youth to ensure the solution fit local realities. Community members also supported the site selection and implementation process, making it a truly participatory effort. Complementing this, our tree planting program helps protect water sources and restore the natural ecosystem. Over 500 native trees have been planted around water points, schools, and communal lands. These trees prevent erosion, support groundwater recharge, and improve air quality. Tree planting activities are also tied to school programs and youth engagement. Together, clean water access and tree planting not only reduce disease and environmental degradation but also empower communities to protect their resources. The Water & Green Life program reflects our commitment to long-term impact—where people and the planet thrive side by side.

3 hours a day for water and no electricity: You can bring water, light, reforestation, and jobs to Choras

In **Choras**, an indigenous Andean community, families trek **3 hours each way** through dangerous trails just to fetch water in jerry cans. There is no electricity, so children study by the dim glow of kerosene lamps. After years of displacement due to terrorism and deforestation, they now face **extreme drought** that halts all planting—it’s the elders, the women, and the children who bear the brunt of this crisis. > “Every morning, 70‑year‑old Doña Rosa walks four hours with her granddaughter to fill jerry cans, and at night they study by candlelight,” she whispers, her voice breaking. ### 🌟 **A powerful, community-led solution:** 1. **Artisanal well + gravity-fed channel**: continuous delivery of water from the mountain to the village. 2. **Solar panel + lighting system**: clean electricity to study, charge devices, and improve health, with zero emissions—just like the electrification efforts lighting up Amazon and Andean communities . 3. **4×4 truck**: transport seeds, tools, and materials over the final 20 km without roads. 4. **Community-run nursery + reforestation**: planting native food and forest trees (potatoes, beans, peas) to restore soils, recharge water sources, and preserve biodiversity—building on successful models in Peru . 5. **Local employment and skills**: villagers will build and maintain every part—watering systems, solar energy, nursery, planting—earning dignified, stable incomes. Studies show solar-agriculture projects often create 2 jobs per pump and boost rural incomes significantly . ### ✅ **Projected measurable impacts:** * **Water access** without exhausting daily treks. * **Clean, solar-powered light and energy** for study, communication, and tools. * **Local food production**—enhancing nutrition and self-reliance. * **Reforestation of the Andean forest**, safeguarding watersheds and biodiversity. * **Stable employment** and skill-building for neighbors of all ages. ### 💰 **You can be Choras’s hero** With your support, we will: 👉 **Fund infrastructure**: well, channel, solar panels, nursery, truck. 👉 **Publicize the cause**: share the story to grow our reach. 👉 **Ignite change**: bring water, light, reforestation, and jobs—and transform entire lives. **Join this movement**: your donation will spark a lasting renewal—powering homes, fields, forests, and futures in Choras. **Donate, share, and be the catalyst for real, sustainable transformation.**

Eco-Community Marine Education Centre – Tsunza, Kenya

### **🌍 The Problem** Tsunza is a small peninsula in Kwale County, Kenya, home to a vibrant yet vulnerable coastal community. The majority of residents rely on artisanal fishing and small-scale marine-based livelihoods. However, this way of life has come under threat due to a combination of human activities and climate change. Located near the rapidly expanding **Dongo Kundu Bypass**, the area has experienced widespread mangrove clearing, oil spills, sediment pollution, and damage to fish breeding grounds. These pressures, along with erratic weather, have led to declining fish catches, reducing food security and income for over 300 households. With limited formal employment options, many community members have turned to alternative livelihoods such as fish and crab farming, mangrove propagation, and beekeeping. While the bypass has created environmental challenges, the community also sees it as **a chance to attract partnerships and visitors through the new marine education centre.** ### **🌱 How the Project Started** Africa Climate and Environment Foundation initiated this project after recognizing the long-standing restoration and livelihood work already being done by Tsunza Fishpond CBO. Together, they established a **locally built Eco-Community Marine Education Centre**, which now serves as a hub for education, conservation, and sustainable income initiatives. ### **🧭 Key Activities** * Marine education for youth and schools * Community-led fish and prawn farming * Beekeeping for honey and pollination * Mangrove nursery development and reforestation * Cultural storytelling and digital archiving * Youth-guided eco-tourism through mangrove ecosystems **📸 Proof of Impact** This is a **living impact certificate**. The “Proof of Impact” section will be updated over time as activities continue. Updates will reflect progress shared by the community and partners, based on what is feasible to document throughout the project. **💬 How Support Is Used** Support helps fund training, restoration materials, educational programs, community operations, and maintenance of the centre. By contributing, you’re supporting a growing, community-led effort to restore ecosystems, strengthen local knowledge, and develop sustainable livelihoods- one step at a time.

Restoring Forest after fire. Parque das tribos-Amazon, Brazil

**🌍 The Problem** A recent fire damaged the green areas of **Parque das Tribos**, an Indigenous community in Manaus, Brazil. Wildlife fled. Vegetation was lost. The fire worsened air quality and caused respiratory issues, especially among children and elders. Beyond the visible damage, the event exposed the urgent need for community-based environmental recovery and long-term care for local ecosystems. **🌱 What the Community Is Doing** In response, the community is organizing a coordinated clean-up and reforestation initiative, led by youth and driven by local leadership—especially Samuel Munduruku, a young Indigenous organizer from Parque das Tribos. The plan brings together Indigenous knowledge, volunteer action, and technology to restore the affected areas and improve wellbeing. This effort is supported by **GainForest**, which provides tools and guidance for transparent impact tracking and ecosystem monitoring. **🧭 Key Activities This Ecocert Supports** * Clean-up of streets, neighborhoods, and green spaces * Mapping burned areas in collaboration with residents * Planting of native and fruit-bearing trees * Documentation of animal return and vegetation growth * Visual reporting and records for transparency.

Water Save System for ecovillages in Ukraine

**Description** Our project strengthens ecological resilience and climate adaptation in rural Ukraine through the installation of decentralized water systems and community-driven hydrological restoration across a network of ecovillages. Coordinated by **GEN Ukraine**, these efforts respond to growing water stress, seasonal droughts, and wartime disruption of basic infrastructure. The initiative involves residents, displaced families, eco-entrepreneurs, and community builders in co-developing low-tech yet effective solutions — such as rainwater harvesting, well drilling, swales, lake restoration, and irrigation networks — to secure water access for food growing, livestock care, and ecological regeneration. Water infrastructure projects are ongoing in **9 ecovillages**, including **Goloka** (Odesa), **Radariya** (Kyiv), **Tepla Hora** (Carpathians), **Bhumi** (Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv), **Svitanok Samara** (Dnipro), **Zhyvy Dim** (Kharkiv), **Omelyanivka** (Zhytomyr), and **Charyvne (Chmyrivka)** in the Kholodnyi Yar region of Cherkasy. These systems are not isolated assets — they are embedded in daily life, connected to permaculture hubs, forest gardens, veteran rehabilitation centers, and community kitchens. Projects are developed and maintained by local teams (often 5–15 people per site), with women and youth actively leading design, installation, and care. Refugees and war-affected communities contribute to and benefit from each system, turning adaptation into solidarity. ### **Key outcomes include:** * **9 decentralized water systems** implemented or underway (rainwater harvesting, wells, irrigation, lake systems) * **Over 65,000 liters** of total water storage capacity across all locations * **4 new wells** drilled in high-risk or drought-prone regions * **3 natural lakes recharged or being restored** (Svitanok Samara, **Chmyrivka**, Tepla Hora) * **Community-built wetland corridor** in Charyvne: 200,000 UAH crowdfunded, dam and pond system created by three hamlets to prevent landslides and restore habitat * **Swales and catchment systems** established to improve retention and reduce erosion * **Water-secure food production** for veterans, children, and displaced families * **Livestock water supply** secured for 120+ animals during blackouts in frontline zone This initiative showcases the power of grassroots communities to build climate resilience, even under conflict. Each roof, trench, and tank contributes not only to ecosystem regeneration — but to human dignity, autonomy, and long-term survival.

Agroforestry Living Labs for Coffee Farmers in Eastern Uganda

YLEC, in partnership with key collaborators, is involved in the implementation of the Agroforestry for People, Ecosystems, and Climate (AfPEC) project. As the primary coordinator of the Living Labs (L.L) concept of the project, YLEC is establishing dynamic demonstration sites across four coffee-growing communities in the Mt. Elgon region of Uganda. These Living Labs showcase practical, sustainable agroforestry and alternative livelihood practices that support both people and the planet. A central focus of the initiative is the promotion of indigenous tree planting, which plays a vital role in mitigating climate change, improving coffee yields, and offering farmers additional income-generating opportunities. Other key activities within the Living Labs include establishing tree nurseries, beekeeping (apiary), rainwater harvesting, soil and moisture conservation techniques, and the production of organic fertilizers from agricultural waste. Four Living Labs have been set up across Mbale, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, and Bududa districts. Each site engages two farmer groups, totaling 60 members, with the various themes introduced progressively. Each farming household is an agroecological unit; thus, collective farming units amount to a restored highland ecosystem once farmers adopt and replicate most of these practices on their farms, leading to improvements in the coffee value chain, increased ecosystem resilience to climate change, and enhanced livelihoods.

Plant4Schools

More than 95% of the schools in Eastern Uganda are facing rampant deforestation driven by the high demand for wood fuel especially for cooking in schools, which has led to severe degradation of forest cover. Many schools have cleared their trees to meet fuel needs, leaving bare, degraded land that contributes to soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. Plant4Schools is a community-driven tree-planting and environmental education project aimed at restoring 100 acres of degraded land across 100 schools in Eastern Uganda by planting 50,000 indigenous and fast-growing trees. The project not only involves planting trees but also creating green learning spaces and integrating climate action into school culture. It’s a holistic approach that combines restoration, education, and empowerment. The initiative is spearheaded by Climatica Foundation in collaboration with school administrations, and student-led environmental clubs. The learners actively participate in the planning, planting, and monitoring of trees. Teachers and school leadership play a key role in sustaining the efforts. This project restores biodiversity, improves soil and microclimate conditions around schools, and reduces dependency on unsustainable wood fuel sources by promoting alternative solutions. It builds a generation of environmentally conscious students through hands-on learning and fosters local ownership of climate solutions. So far, 5 acres of school land have been successfully restored, and over 1,000 students have been trained as young environmental stewards.

Regenerating Kaya Chonyi, Kenya’s Sacred Forest

In Kwale County Kenya lies the Kaya Chonyi Sacred Forest, a spiritual and ecological sanctuary guarded by a culturally rooted group of elders. Through indigenous knowledge passed down for generations. These elders are  organized under the Kaya Chonyi Community-Based Organization (CBO) that  have worked tirelessly to protect both the forest’s biodiversity and the cultural identity of the Duruma people. But today, this sacred forest is under siege. Encroachment for firewood, illegal grazing, and the recent torching of traditional cultural houses used for public education have put this heritage at grave risk. Indigenous tree species here, some are critically threatened or  are disappearing, and so is the knowledge needed to protect them. Still, Kaya Chonyi CBO remains committed to safeguarding what’s left and rebuilding what’s been lost. With over 5,000 indigenous seedlings already established in their nursery, and in partnership with the Africa Climate and Environment Foundation (ACEF), the group is scaling up efforts to protect the forest and revive its cultural importance. How Your Support Will Help: Your financial contribution will directly support the following community-led activities: * Reconstruct two torched traditional cultural houses (Kayas) to revive public and school-based indigenous education programs * Digitally document and archive indigenous knowledge and oral history for intergenerational learning * Tag, map, and monitor indigenous tree species in the Kaya forest using mobile-based tools and local youth engagement * Expand the indigenous seedling nursery and improve water access for nursery care and school-based tree planting * Train community educators and school clubs on the cultural and ecological roles of sacred forests * Develop signage, learning materials, and interpretive trails within the forest for responsible eco-cultural tourism and education * Launch a school greening program to plant trees and raise climate change awareness among youth in Chonyi This isn’t just about protecting trees. It’s about restoring identity, reviving knowledge, and building climate resilience in a community that still believes in nature's sacredness. Your support will empower Kaya Chonyi elders to remain forest guardians, cultural teachers, and climate leaders in their own right. Help rebuild, replant, and reclaim the future of Kaya Chonyi.

Help us Grow Hope at The Kwale School for the Mentally Challenged

In Kwale School for the Mentally Challenged is a beacon of inclusion, resilience, and climate action in coastal Kenya. Our students, who live with autism, cerebral palsy, microcephalus, and other cognitive challenges, are proving that every child, regardless of ability, can be a champion for the environment. In 2022, the school faced a harsh reality. Trees were being cut for firewood. The students' meals lacked greens. Environmental degradation worsened, and hope was shrinking. But in 2023, a turning point came with the arrival of Mr. Hassan Mwadime, a passionate environmentalist and educator. He introduced a tree nursery project, a powerful idea with humble beginnings and no seedlings. But with requests to well-wishers and support from the Kenya Forest Service, a 2,000-seedling nursery was established. The Africa Climate and Environment Foundation (ACEF) joined in to provide training, guidance, and help manage the nursery and deliver climate education. When ready, the seedlings transformed not only the school compound but were also donated to 20 other schools in the region, where they now boast a 75% survival rate. Today, tree growing is an integral part of learning at Kwale School. For mentally challenged and mildly autistic students, tending to plants provides routine, sensory stimulation, skill-building, and, potentially, future income sources. Our school is now recognized as a model green institution, regularly receiving awards for environmental stewardship. Looking ahead, the school also dreams of establishing a small arboretum: a space where students can interact with a diverse range of tree species, learn about biodiversity, and experience nature as a calming, hands-on classroom. This arboretum will not only enhance learning and therapy for our learners but also serve as a green sanctuary and teaching model for other schools in the region. But we need your help to keep this momentum alive. With your kind support, we aim to: * Purchase potting bags, 5 watering cans, 2 wheelbarrows, gloves, and jembes * Replace our fragile mosquito-net fencing with a chain-link fence to protect the nursery from animals * Install 4 water tanks to ensure a reliable water source for the tree nursery * Support exchange learning visits for 20 partner schools, expanding climate education in the region Begin laying the groundwork for a school-based arboretum. Thanks to the dedication of our students and teachers, our current seedling survival rate stands at an impressive 98% during the rainy season. Your contribution will not only support environmental restoration but also create dignified learning and growth opportunities for children often left behind. 🌱 Donate today. Help us grow trees, grow minds, and grow hope.