280,000 Trees Planted through World Vision

Since 2011, we’ve planted at least one tree for every attendee of our annual event to contribute to the fight against climate change. Over the years, our efforts have (also literally) grown into forests.

This year, we continued our collaboration with World Vision and donated to their reforestation project in Ethiopia. With our donation, approximately 280,000 trees will be planted.

Sustainablility through Reforestation

With the donation from Nordic Business Forum, World Vision will be restoring 208 hectares of forest as part of their climate project in Ethiopia.

This effort is part of World Vision’s FMNR (Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration) initiative, which is a method that helps regenerate forests quickly and sustainably. World Vision trains farmers in reforestation method, which helps revive underground root systems. New forests grow quickly, cost-effectively, and sustainably. The reforestation sequesters carbon from the atmosphere and prevents erosion and soil degradation. It maintains biodiversity and reduces the risks of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts.

At the heart of World Vision’s FMNR projects is collaboration with forest cooperatives formed by local communities. This ensures reforestation becomes a lasting part of community life.

Supporting Equality, Food Security, and Education

The FMNR project also invests in community resilience and equality.

The project’s protected area covers a total of 8,000 hectares, of which approximately ten percent will be planted with tree seedlings grown in the nurseries of the forest cooperatives. In addition to tree seedlings planted in the communal protected areas, agroforestry trees, including fruit trees, were planted in family home gardens and woodlots. Establishing woodlots has provided families with a reliable source of fuelwood, timber, and income, thereby reducing pressure on natural forests.

Additionally, through the FMNR project, women and people living with disabilities receive training and entrepreneurial support. This promotes their financial independence and strengthens their role in society. Children’s well-being improves as families gain income, nutritional levels rise, and more children can attend school.

Annette Gothóni, CEO of World Vision Nordic further explains:

“Climate change affects most strongly those who are already in a vulnerable position. Droughts, floods, and storms hit hardest in areas where people have the fewest means to protect themselves and recover. That is why the climate crisis is also a crisis of inequality.

A big thank you to the Nordic Business Forum! Your contribution supports both the climate and the communities for whom healthy ecosystems are a lifeline. Every tree planted strengthens nature’s resilience, protects livelihoods, and helps build a safer future for those who need it the most.”

Mohamed Ahmed, a member of Yubdo JAMA Forest protection and development cooperative, Shashemene, Ethiopia also underlines the importance of the FMNR project:

“Reforestation and tree planting have transformed our community by restoring our land, bringing back water, and creating new sources of income such as beekeeping and sustainable forestry. Improved soil fertility, especially in the downstream area has improved production and productivity. These trees give us hope and make our future more secure.”

Work Continues

In addition to supporting initiatives abroad, we’re also committed to preserving biodiversity in Finland. Our forest protection initiative continues as part of our parent company Nordic Business Group’s work to preserve and restore valuable forest land for future generations.

Since 2011, our efforts have helped plant more than 1.19 million trees. But this journey is far from over. Tackling the climate crisis is a shared responsibility and we’re trying to do our part of it.

The climate crisis and biodiversity loss is something we can all (individually and in our organizations) affect. So, we hope you and your organization join us in supporting and protecting our planet. We only have one planet, so let’s take care of it together!