Community Tree Cooperatives

WithOneSeed, we’re helping vulnerable rural communities adapt to climate variability, build local economies, boost education and training and grow stronger, more resilient communities, through village-based reforestation initiatives called Community Tree Cooperatives.

With One Seed’s foundation project is working with subsistence farmers and school communities in Baguia, Timor Leste.
 

What is a Community Tree Cooperative?

Community Tree Cooperatives are groups of village-based farmers who are enhancing their farming capacity through reforestation of their land and sustainable agroforestry processes. People who live in and around these forests and habitats also benefit from these sustainable practices and activities.

WithOneSeed’s foundation project includes 130 farmers who have planted 20,000 saplings across 15 villages.
 

The map below shows the location of 15 villages in the WithOneSeed foundation project. 

Map created by candle light at the Leo and John's kitchen table, Baguia Timor Leste in 2011.

Planting the forests

The Community Tree Cooperatives are planting saplings on an annual basis. Reforestation will assist communities adapt to climate change and grow sustainably through building the local economy, encouraging education, training and employment, raising living standards and improving infrastructure.
 

Skills training and employment opportunities

Training, skills development and employment opportunities will be created in each Community Tree Cooperative.
Members of the community will be trained to audit, track and map the trees to collect data about the growth and development of the Tree Trust plantations.

The installation of wireless broadband access and technology hubs will provide the Community Tree Cooperatives with the tools to manage, track and store information.
 

Community education and training

A detailed community education and training program will focus on each area of the social enterprise model.
 

Sustainability and funding

WithOneSeed has established a Computer Emissions Fund to provide a sustainable revenue stream for Community Tree Cooperatives as well as for the broader community. It provides opportunities for Australian schools, businesses and government to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from their computer use, while supporting community development in Timor Leste.
 

Distribution of funds

WithOneSeed will pass income raised through the Computer Emissions Fund to Community Tree Cooperatives enabling the development of village-based economies.
With One Seed has also established a Community Investment Fund to provide funding for whole-community development projects. A small administration fee will also be paid from these funds.
 

Community Tree Cooperative management

The Community Tree Cooperative farmers will receive an annual payment for managing and maintaining the plantations of mahogany trees.

The plantations will improve water and soil conservation by reducing soil degradation and erosion, while contributing to the removal of carbon from the atmosphere.