The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and EcoMatcher signed on March 9, a two-year agreement. Through which 83,600 fruit trees and shrubs will be planted in the Amazon province of Zamora Chinchipe.

From April 2020, these trees will be georeferenced with an EcoMatcher mobile application and will have a traceability system. In addition, as of May, these will be made available to third parties for adoption. It should be noted that these trees are acquired with resources from EcoMatcher partners, who make them available to form part of corporate programs, as gifts, rewards, or as a transparent carbon offset mechanism.

This initiative is part of the Amazon Forest Conservation and Sustainable Production Program (PROAmazonía); an initiative led by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MAAE), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) of Ecuador with the support of UNDP and financing from the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

More than 200 cattle producers, whose farms are also part of MAG’s Productive Transformation Agenda of the Amazon (ATPA) project, will receive these trees to be planted. In this way, silvopastoral systems will be promoted, that is, systems that combine the planting of pastures with trees. Similarly, the producers will receive training; through Field Schools; non-monetary incentives for the transition to sustainable production; and technical assistance and follow-up.

“We highlight the transparency, digital tools and participation possibilities offered by the EcoMatcher platform. We are excited to bring the PROAmazonía tree planting initiative in Ecuador to the world,” said Matilde Mordt, UNDP resident representative in Ecuador.

For his part, Bas Fransen CEO and founder of EcoMatcher noted: “EcoMatcher is proud to partner with the United Nations and its PROAmazonía program to plant trees in the Ecuadorian Amazon and allow our clients to get involved. Proper tree planting is essential to address the climate crisis, and this initiative cannot come at a better time.”

Agreements with local governments:

Several local governments have joined this tree planting initiative: the Provincial GAD of Zamora Chinchipe, with which UNDP has signed an agreement; the Cantonal GAD of Nangaritza; and the Parochial GAD of Zurmi.

These institutions are already working with PROAmazonía in updating their Land Use and Development Plans (PDOT) and in the design of the Land Use and Management Plan (PUGS). These territorial planning instruments will promote forest conservation, sustainable production, climate change, gender and interculturality.

About PROAmazonía:

The Amazon Forest Conservation and Sustainable Production Program (PROAmazonía) in Ecuador is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Ministry of Environment and Water with the support of UNDP as the executing agency. This program is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The objective of the Program is to promote forest conservation, reduce deforestation and promote the sustainable management of natural resources.

Visit PROAmazonía at www.proamazonia.org

About EcoMatcher

EcoMatcher plants trees with specialized foundations around the world. Through technology, EcoMatcher customers know everything about every tree planted, offering complete transparency. Through EcoMatcher’s digital blockchain-based platform, companies can use trees as meaningful corporate gifts, as rewards, for employee loyalty and engagement, and transparent carbon offsetting. You can also travel virtually to each tree and learn more about it and the farmer.

Visit EcoMatcher at www.ecomatcher.com

About UNDP

UNDP works in 170 countries and territories, promotes the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. It helps countries develop policy, leadership skills, partnership skills, institutional capacities, and build resilience to sustain development results.

Visit UNDP at www.undp.org

Photography: Pachamama Foundation

Description: Bio-entrepreneurs receive training on planting and care of native plants in the Tuutinentza community.

We invite you to watch the video of this alliance:

Author: Communication Unit of PROAmazonía