Our Impact

Reducing rural poverty by creating jobs and becoming the largest local employer

Large unemployment is the main socio-economic issue in rural Mozambique. Reforestation, restoration and agroforestry are labour-intensive. The project activities will create work opportunities in remote rural areas, including many new jobs. This will make it by far the largest private employer in the districts where it operates. In addition, the project will generate significant indirect employment opportunities in Nampula and the surrounding provinces. Employment and income generation are the most effective tools alleviating poverty.

Expanding access to clean water by building boreholes and training local water management committees

The project, through its community development program, will support local communities’ access to drinking water through the construction of at least ten boreholes in water shortage sites. The support will include training of water management committees.

Boosting rural Mozambique’s economy by creating jobs and raw material for the circular economy

The project will make large investments into rural Mozambique and contribute to economic growth. Reforestation and agroforestry are labour intensive activities. The project will create the largest local employer and offer decent working conditions by paying good wages, improve productivity through formal and informal training programs, promoting safe working conditions, and providing social protection and personal protective equipment to workers. The project will create forests that will provide raw materials for future manufacturing of building materials for the circular economy.

Sustainable forests and raw materials for the circular economy

The project activities will find new and viable solutions to increase the contribution of forests, forest goods and services to the well-being of local communities. The project will create feedstock for production of sustainable, net zero building materials for the circular economy.

Storing carbon through lasting forest restoration while supplying sustainable materials for a low-carbon economy

The project will capture and store large amounts of carbon dioxide in the growing biomass and the forest soils. Through natural forest restoration, reforestation and agroforestry, the project is establishing a permanent, sustainably managed stock of carbon that will be maintained permanently, or at least for 100 years. When mature, the forests will generate a continuous supply of feedstock for decarbonized buildings and other materials for the circular economy, extending the carbon storage and providing a clean alternative to carbon intensive materials.

Restoring 7,000+ ha of critical habitats to boost conservation and biodiversity

The project has large positive environmental effects beyond climate change mitigation. It will in its initial phase restore more than 7,000 ha of miombo woodlands, wetlands and other high conservation value areas. It will contribute to conservation and significantly enhance the biological diversity in the project area.

Boosting food security by supporting large-scale crop production, providing meals, and enabling access to forest foods

The project will grow stable food crops for its workers on at least 100 ha land. Furthermore, it will establish partnerships with local communities and local farmers to produce agricultural crops on more than 1,000 ha land using appropriate, modern technologies (improved seeds, fertilizers, adequate land preparation, support for access to markets). This approach will significantly improve crop yields, contribute to agricultural development and food security in the areas where the company operates. In the restoration areas, local communities will benefit from non-timber forest products (NTFP), such as wild fruits, nuts, honey, and mushrooms as diet supplement.

Improving education by building schools and teacher housing to raise local living standards and forest workforce quality

FdN is committed to increasing the level of education to improve the socio-economic conditions as a key part of its benefit sharing program. This is also key to improving the long-term quality and standard of work in forest operations. The company will assist in improving primary and secondary schools in the villages surrounding the project, including building at least five new primary schools and two secondary schools, as well as building 30 teacher accommodations throughout the life of the project.

Promoting gender and youth inclusion by reserving 30% of jobs and supporting participation through outreach and targeted training

Women are frequently disadvantaged in forestry and agroforestry systems, particularly concerning their access to employment. At least 30% of the workers will be women and about half will be youths aged 35 years or less. To achieve this, awareness raising and communication campaigns to encourage women and young families to participate and apply for job will be implemented. Special interventions will be undertaken such as special training targeting rural women.

Establishing permanent, biodiverse forests through strong partnerships with communities, government, and research institutions

FdN is establishing permanent forests that will be sustainably managed for hundreds of years to come. Biodiverse, well-maintained forests will only happen through successful co-operation with local stakeholders. Thus, the company has established strong partnerships with local communities and local, regional and central government institutions. The project is also engaging with a range of public and private sector organisations, including civil society, universities, research and training institutions.