December 2023

What a year it has been!?

Looking back on 2023, we acknowledge the challenges and celebrate the triumphs and meaningful collaborations. It has truly been a journey of growth and exploration: securing major investments to restore mangroves in Kenya and Indonesia, venturing into Tanzania and piloting carbon forward tokens with Senken and Solid World.?

Enjoy the key highlights from Vlinder in 2023 and have a wonderful holiday season!

Vlinder Secured Investments to Restore Mangroves in Kenya and Indonesia

To fund community-based restoration of mangrove forests, this year Vlinder has teamed up with hummingbirds , an independent nature-based solutions project developer, for Vlinder’s project in Kenya, and a Swiss financial institution, for our project in Indonesia. These first large-scale financial collaborations allow us to restore severely degraded areas: 300 ha in Kwale, Kilifi and Tana River counties in Kenya and 500 ha in North Sumatra and Aceh in Indonesia.

The mangrove projects will not only contribute to carbon sequestration but also address biodiversity enhancement, and, most importantly, provide a lifeline for thousands of local people through job opportunities, upskilling, and new sources of income.

Going above and beyond Verra's Validation Audit for the Kenya Papariko Project

At the start of the year, the Vlinder team traveled to Kwale, Kenya, to seek validation for our Papariko project under Verra, a leading voluntary carbon certification standard. Auditors from KBS Certification Services, an independent certification body accredited by Verra, conducted a site visit to assess the alignment of the actual conditions with the project documentation submitted to the standard and whether the project fits the Verra mangrove reforestation framework. The validation report has been submitted to Verra.

Our scientific team hasn’t stopped there. On top of the requirements, we have also conducted an in-depth study of soil carbon to establish the baseline, a comprehensive mapping and surveys by drones, and a biodiversity assessment using environmental DNA. As we are observing a growing trend for data transparency, we are future-proofing the project and lining it up for additional biodiversity credits.?

Vlinder Further Explores Indonesia

Vlinder truly traveled the world in 2023.? Camilla Werl and Robin Bartmann went on a trip to Indonesia. They were visiting the sites of the community-based mangrove restoration project Vlinder is doing in partnership with VNV Advisory in the North Sumatra and Aceh regions.?

But that's not all - they were also exploring the potential of mangrove reforestation in South Sulawesi. Exciting updates from Indonesia are on the horizon – stay tuned!

Partnering with Econetix to Restore Mangroves in Tanzania

Our founders, Sergey Ivliev and Alexander Spuller, were in Tanzania in September, establishing partnerships, meeting eco heroes, and visiting degraded mangrove sites while discussing future Vlinder carbon projects in the country.

Vlinder is excited to partner with EcoNetix to restore mangrove ecosystems and support coastal communities.?

Vlinder's Papariko Project Selected for Climate Solutions Partnership’s Nature-based Solutions Accelerator?

Our Papariko mangrove reforestation project in Kenya has been selected for the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Accelerator, led by WWF-UK and supported by the Climate Solutions Partnership!

With the support of the NbS Accelerator, Papariko will refine its operations—blending commercial strength with community development, engaging stakeholders, and conducting studies on carbon, biodiversity, and social baselines. This enhancement will empower us to expand our impact and replicate our success in new regions.

We are honored to partner with Umita and the Kenya Forest Service on this mission to restore 1500 hectares of mangroves in Kenya.?

Learn more from the publication on the WWF’s website and the recording of the WWF and WRI joint session at COP28 on Banking on Nature-based Solutions: Current opportunities and barriers to scaling NbS through private investment.

Piloting Carbon Forward Tokens with Senken and Solid World

Demonstrating our commitment to bringing innovation to high-quality carbon project financing, Vlinder implemented pilots with the Senken marketplace and the Solid World financing platform, pioneering the sale of carbon forward tokens.?

The carbon forward tokens offer a new opportunity for individuals and organizations to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, providing an innovative and transparent way to support sustainable development and early-stage funding for carbon removal projects.

Celebrating our Partner’s Great Work in Senegal

Our partner Diamani Kouta had the 10th anniversary of their work in Senegal this October. For a decade, Diamani Kouta has been financing and launching various agricultural, ecological, and educational projects. Diamani Kouta's approach of "sustainable help for self-help" has been creating jobs and livelihoods that enable local community members to make a living.?

We are honored to continue our collaboration with Diamani Kouta in our joint commitment to restoring degraded mangrove forests in Senegal. The Vlinder project in this country aims to plant over 2 million trees, creating a healthy mangrove ecosystem, providing jobs and creating a long-term support system for biodiversity.

Vlinder at COP 28

Our CEO Robin Bartmann and founder and Head of the Project Management Office Lena Mechenkova , along with Isabella Masinde, A. , the leader of our Papariko project in Kenya, participated at COP 28 in Dubai.?

Lena spoke at the panel discussion on Upfront Financing and Liquidity of Carbon Markets (the recording is available here) and also participated in the Carbon project development discussion organized by Vlinder’s partner, Evercity . Overall, we consider that this was a successful COP, with the key takeaway to transition from fossil fuels that have been agreed upon by the Parties. While negotiations are progressing, Vlinder remains a strong believer in the VCM and the private sector as the biggest scaling opportunities at the speed that the world truly needs.?

Get more details from Lena's takeaways from COP 28.

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We would like to thank you for your continued support. May the holiday season bring joy, reflection, and anticipation for the positive changes in the coming year.

Warm regards,

Team Vlinder