Ecotrust

From 480,000 trees to 2.48 million, Kyarumba Banywani Tree Farmers Co-operative SACCO has grown its climate action into a wider livelihood opportunity.

Today, 12,400 members are growing trees, producing coffee and honey, and accessing income that supports school fees, healthcare and farm investments.

Through the Community Carbon Fund, supported by ECOTRUST, farmers have also expanded tree planting and built alternative income streams, helping reduce pressure on protected areas.
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Mwebale Joshua of the Rwenzori Slopes Trust Tree Farmers Cooperative Society took us through the cooperative’s five year vision roadmap.

From 2,500 members today, the cooperative aims to reach 10,000, while increasing coffee and honey production, expanding tree planting and supporting farmers with alternative sources of income so they do not have to cut their trees prematurely.

Joshua shared that the carbon fund brought farmers together around a common goal. The income they received has since helped members invest in coffee and honey as alternative businesses.

The cooperative also thanked ECOTRUST for the seedlings provided to farmers and called for more support as they work to bring more members on board.

The vision includes stronger savings and credit, and eventually a coffee processing factory for their coffee.

It is a roadmap built around protecting nature while creating better livelihoods for the communities that depend on it.

During Day 4 of our media training on Conservation Finance, our field visit took us to the Rwenzori Slopes Trust Tree Farmers Cooperative Society, where we met Muhindo Janeta, one of the cooperative’s members.

Janeta shared how a pig she received through the cooperative became an important source of income for her family. The pig gave birth to eight piglets, which she continued rearing and selling to support her son’s education. Her son went on to study nursing and is now working.

Today, Janeta has 205 trees and has built a house using income from the carbon fund she receives. She hopes to continue supporting her son as he upgrades his skills.

This reflects what conservation finance can make possible when communities are supported to protect nature while building sustainable sources of income and investing in their families’ futures.

Uganda received about USD 31 million from the Green Climate Fund after nearly 8 million tonnes of CO₂ reductions were verified. Prisca Lima-an Beesigomwe is unpacking results based financing during ECOTRUST’s Day Three Media Training on Conservation Finance in Kasese.

From 75 farmers in 2017 to 1,634 carbon farmers today in Rukoki Subcounty, Kasese District.

This growth reflects ECOTRUST’s work through the Trees for Global Benefits programme, which has supported farmers to embrace tree planting and connect conservation with household livelihoods.

When the programme began in Rukoki, tree planting was not a priority for many farmers. Today, trees are contributing to carbon income, stronger coffee businesses and investments in children’s education, alongside other household needs.

During ECOTRUST’s Conservation Finance Media Training and Tour in Kasese, Simon Masereka, Chairperson of MIFA SACCO Rukoki, shared a three-year achievement journey that captures this transformation.

His chart, presented to the visiting journalists, offers a glimpse into how conservation finance is translating environmental action into tangible changes in farmers’ lives.

For Masika Evelyne, planting trees is helping her build the future she and her family envisioned.

In 2021, they wrote their 2021–2030 vision and pinned it on the wall of their home. Since joining ECOTRUST’s Trees for Global Benefits programme, Masika has received two carbon payments, which have helped her educate her children, save and invest in goats. She started with two goats that have now increased to 16 goats.

She continues to plant trees, save towards completing her house, while working towards the family’s 2030 goals.

Today, during Day 2 of ECOTRUST’s Media Training on Conservation Finance, Masika is sharing her journey with media practitioners.

Day 2 of Our Media Training Programme on Conservation Finance is here!
We’re ready for the field, where participants will meet Trees for Global Benefits farmers and explore how conservation finance connects nature, climate action and livelihoods.

“38% of Uganda’s wealth is natural capital.” – Mr. Ronald Kaggwa, Head of Production, Trade and Tourism Planning at the National Planning Authority.
He is joining us virtually to unpack why nature is a macroeconomic and financial stability issue, not just an environmental one.
Key insights on business-nature dependencies, risks, and the economics of conservation finance.

Pauline Nantongo Kalunda, our Executive Director, is equipping journalists with insights on conservation finance, nature credits and carbon markets, while sensitising them on misinformation and disinformation in environmental reporting. Through ECOTRUST’s model, 60% of carbon payments go directly to farmers, connecting conservation with financial returns.

We have kicked off our Media Training Programme on Conservation Finance in Kasese!
Media practitioners are gathered for 5 days of learning, field visits and storytelling skills.
This is anchored in ECOTRUST’s 27 years of community-centred conservation work.