Capabilities

We get it done on the ground.

With four years of experience developing and managing forestry projects in Panama, Planting Empowerment brings a proven set of capabilities to the table. Our team prides itself on the relationships we’ve built with community leaders, government agencies, and regional partners, and the insight we’ve made from maintaining those relationships. 

Having lived and labored side-by-side with our community counterparts we’ve developed a thorough understanding of the socio-economic needs of the region and an in-depth knowledge of best practice methods to ensure long-term success and sustainability.

Indigenous Peoples

Working with Indigenous Peoples requires an understanding of their traditional culture, values, and political structures. Without thorough consultation and consideration of these needs, development projects risk being perceived as paternalistic. We’ve carried out consultations to gain indigenous buy-in at the local and national levels for both investor-owned projects and community development projects. We understand how to work with Indigenous Peoples to both meet their immediate needs and the long term project goals. We brought this experience to bear in a small UNDP-GEF Small Grants Program project with the community of Arimae.

Forestry

Planting Empowerment’s Equitable Forestry model balances project returns and environmental sustainability. Our team understands the complexity of planting and managing mixed-native species plantations with local communities. Chief Forester Jose Deago contributes 15 years of development experience to the team, and has worked extensively with small community forestry enterprises. We are also careful to consider cultural variables such as traditional farming practices and local politics, which ensures better management and increased adoption by our partners. 

Project Management

Getting things done in rural areas of developing countries isn’t easy. It’s harder to do across political structures and cultures, and within budget. Planting Empowerment has four years of experience working with groups with different governance and ways of doing things. We understand the interplay of these variables and how to manage them to minimize risks, while executing on time and under budget.