Planting Empowerment currently manages 20 hectares (approx. 50 acres) of forestry plots between two partnering communities. The individual subsistence farmers and communities are remunerated through lease payments, a portion of the profits from future timber sales, and PE-funded community projects.

Upon entering into a partnership with local partners, both parties sign legally binding contracts that guarantee the right to carry out forestry on part of their land. This more sustainable arrangement is the first of its kind in Panama and has been well received by both our local partners and government & businesses.

Planting Empowerment’s overarching social goal is to transfer knowledge and skills to our rural Panamanian partners to ensure they maintain control and are able to utilize their natural resources in a sustainable manner while maximizing the economic benefit.