In July our contributions to Ecologi helped to fund two important projects. The first is making crucial steps to protect the Mataven forest in Eastern Colombia and the other repairing boreholes in Eritrea.
Colombia is renowned for its biodiversity, hosting an estimated 10% of the world’s flora and fauna. As one of only 12 megadiverse countries, its ecosystems include over 40,000 plant species. The Vichada department, located on the eastern plains near Venezuela in the Orinoco River basin, faces significant deforestation challenges. Between 1990 and 2005, the region lost around 500,000 hectares of forest, a 3.2% decline.
The Matavén REDD+ project protects 1,150,212 hectares of tropical forest within the Indigenous Reservation of the Matavén Forest. Over the past decade, this initiative has prevented emissions by providing local farmers with sustainable livelihoods and employing them as rangers, rather than them moving into the project area to deforest it. Nearly 16,000 Indigenous people benefit from co-projects, including education, healthcare, dental services, sanitation, and food security. Certified by Verra’s Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS), the project ensures significant co-benefits for local communities and biodiversity conservation.
One in nine people globally lack access to clean water close to home, and 60% of the world’s population lives in water-stressed areas. In Eritrea, only 19% of the population have nearby clean water, forcing many to travel long distances or rely on unsafe sources like rivers or open wells. This water scarcity, exacerbated by persistent drought, severely impacts health and is the second leading cause of death and disability in the country.
The Zoba Debub Community Boreholes project aims to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water for hundreds of households in Eritrea’s Zoba Debub district. Boreholes, drilled up to 100 metres deep, access clean underground water, which is then pumped out by hand. The project identifies and renovates disused boreholes, implementing maintenance programmes to ensure continuous access to clean water.
In Zoba Debub, where inefficient wood fires are used to purify water, this project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by providing safe water, decreasing the need for firewood. It significantly improves health and alleviates poverty by supplying a reliable source of clean water.
If you’d like to see more ways we have supported projects you can view our profile here to learn more. If you’d like to join the Ecologi community and contribute towards projects like these, you can purchase one of our hosting plans or sign your business up with Ecologi.