Inclusion and reforestation in the Philippines
Poverty and high population growth have prompted the inhabitants of the Philippine islands to plunder the tropical rainforest. But new life is emerging on the clear-cut areas - together with jobs for people with disabilities. In the joint project between Life-Giving Forest e.V. and local cooperatives, human rights, environmental education and climate protection go hand in hand with income-generating measures.
Reforestation is one of the project pillars of Life-Giving Forest.
People with disabilities have poor opportunities for participation, training and work in the Philippines. At the same time, the islands’ ecosystem is being mistreated and is defencelessly exposed to increasing cyclones. The Philippines is therefore one of the countries most at risk from climate change.
Cooperatives in which people with disabilities organise themselves locally work together with the Life-Giving Forest e.V. association. The people plant near-natural mixed forests, thereby stabilising the ecosystem. What is more, they combine sustainable wood use with organic cultivation and find work, income and a social voice.
By imparting theoretical and practical knowledge about nature-based agriculture, Life-Giving Forest e.V. supports the cooperative. In some cases, training takes place in conjunction with local government institutions; in other cases, members of the cooperatives themselves become teachers. Self-empowerment and networking are thus an essential part of the project.
Cooperatives in which people with disabilities organise themselves locally work together with the Life-Giving Forest e.V. association. The people plant near-natural mixed forests, thereby stabilising the ecosystem. What is more, they combine sustainable wood use with organic cultivation and find work, income and a social voice.
By imparting theoretical and practical knowledge about nature-based agriculture, Life-Giving Forest e.V. supports the cooperative. In some cases, training takes place in conjunction with local government institutions; in other cases, members of the cooperatives themselves become teachers. Self-empowerment and networking are thus an essential part of the project.
Benedikt Adler
Our support
Through the HAND IN HAND fund, Rapunzel Naturkost supported eco-social measures of Life-Giving Forest e.V. and its partner organisations in the Philippines from 2013 to 2020. The RAPUNZEL One World Organic Foundation considers the combination of inclusion, forest protection and organic farming to be exemplary and is continuing this support.
Since 2022, the RAPUNZEL One World Organic Foundation has been supporting a project in the mountainous hinterland of the Philippine capital Manila. The municipality of Tanay is increasingly feeling the pressure of the growing metropolis. Falling groundwater levels and landslides are among the consequences of overexploitation. At the same time, already marginalised groups such as people with disabilities, the indigenous population and women in general are being further marginalised in society.
The Foundation for Theseabled Inc. – Life-giving Forest’s local partner organisation – has been active and well connected in the region since it was established in 2009. It supports the target group in organising themselves into a cooperative.
The Foundation for Theseabled Inc. – Life-giving Forest’s local partner organisation – has been active and well connected in the region since it was established in 2009. It supports the target group in organising themselves into a cooperative.
A demonstration farm for organic farming is to become the centrepiece for training members in the cultivation of organic vegetables. A tree nursery and reforestation activities complement the project, and at least 10,000 forest and fruit trees are to be planted within five years. Awareness-raising measures (self-empowerment) and knowledge transfer to establish independent associations complement the project.
The aim is to use sustainable local structures to create an inclusive and diverse society with new income opportunities through organic agriculture and forestry.
The aim is to use sustainable local structures to create an inclusive and diverse society with new income opportunities through organic agriculture and forestry.
Support from Rapunzel Naturkost and RAPUNZEL One World Organic Foundation
- 2023 Consolidation of the integrative, ecological forestry project of people with disabilities in Tanay, Luzon (establishment and training of a cooperative, preparations for reforestation area and ecological demo farm)
- 2022 Establishment of an integrative, ecological forestry project by people with disabilities in Tanay, Luzon (establishment of a cooperative, preparations for reforestation area and ecological demo farm)
- 2020 Expansion of organic farming for people with disabilities in Hindang, Leyte (further training in organic farming and creation of barrier-free access routes)
- 2020 Expansion of an inclusive village project in Sitio Pulak, Leyte (repair of storm damage, installation of rainwater cisterns, establishment of a tree nursery)
- 2018 Expansion of a project for rainforest reforestation and organic farming by people with disabilities in Hindang, Leyte
- 2018 Emergency aid after Typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong) for a workshop run by people with disabilities in Tuba, Luzon
- 2016 Installation of a photovoltaic system in an integrative carpentry workshop run by people with disabilities in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao
- 2013 Expansion of the integrative reforestation project in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao (expansion of the reforested area by 7 hectares)
- 2012 Expansion of the integrative reforestation project in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao (barrier-free nature trail, income-generating measures, sanitary facilities)
- 2011 Integrative reforestation project in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao (3,600 seedlings of 9 different tree species, 10 jobs for people with disabilities)
Life-giving Forest
Project manager Marta Villafane (left) and other members of TheseAbled are making a difference on the ground.
Rapunzel Naturkost and RAPUNZEL One World Organic Foundation have also supported projects in the Philippines:
- 2023 inner vision e.V., training in the Natural Farming System, municipality of Naga, Cebu
- 2021 inner vision e.V., Introduction of the Natural Farming System, Municipality of Naga, Cebu
- 2019 Global Seed Savers, safeguarding and multiplication of indigenous seeds by farmers, Tublay, Benguet Province
- 2016 H. Looschelders Social and Ecological Foundation, construction of a biogas plant, Bucas Grande Island
- 2016 ZIDOFA, Promotion of organic rice cultivation by small farmers, municipality of Zarraga, Western Visayas
- 2015 H. Looschelders Social and Ecological Foundation, Construction of an aquaponics plant as a regional pilot project, Bucas Grande Island
- 2015 NATRIPAL, Protection of the wild honey bee through reforestation of the bee’s natural nectar sources, Palawan
- 2014 Global Nature Fund, construction of a green filter plant treatment plant, environmental education measures, Laguna province, Luzon
- 2004 Bird Research and Species Conservation Foundation, rainforest conservation through the promotion of alternative forms of utilisation by the local population, Western Visayas
Donation account of the
RAPUNZEL One World Organic Foundation
Landesbank Baden-Württemberg
IBAN: DE44 6005 0101 0004 1028 49
SWIFT/BIC: SOLADEST600
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