Partners

Our partners in Panama's Darien province are the reason we're in business.

Map of our partner communties. Click for a larger view.Planting Empowerment currently manages 20 hectares (~50 acres) of native-species tree plantations on leased land in Nuevo Paraiso and Arimae. The subsistence farmers and communities we work with are remunerated through lease payments, a portion of the profits from future timber sales, and funded community projects.

When we talk about the subsistence farmers and indigenous communities we work with, we use the term "partner". This means that we enter into a business relationship that is mutually beneficial for our partners and Planting Empowerment. While they are not equity partners in Planting Empowerment, they are an essential part of our business. Without their involvement and support, we would not be in business.

Land lease contracts

Upon entering into a partnership with local partners, we sign legally binding contracts that guarantee the right to carry out forestry on the leased part of their land. This is a more sustainable arrangement, and as the first of its kind in Panama, 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 of their land and are able to utilize their natural resources in a sustainable manner while maximizing the economic benefit.