Social Forestry Model Advancement: Fairventures Social Forestry Takes Home S$1 Million from The Liveability Challenge
In a significant move towards combating climate change and promoting sustainability, Fairventures Social Forestry (FSF) has emerged as the winner of The Liveability Challenge 2022. The global platform, which connects investors and entrepreneurs with innovative sustainability solutions, attracted over 400 applications from over 60 countries this year.
Based in Southeast Asia, FSF employs a unique sustainability model that focuses on creating socially and ecologically sustainable supply chains. The model encourages fair economic conditions, local community involvement in sustainable agriculture and forestry practices, and promotes transparency, responsibility, and sustainability.
Since 2018, FSF has been running a 3,000-hectare pilot project in Borneo, Indonesia, with the participation of 130 community members. The project aims to combat deforestation, preserve carbon sinks, and support nature-based solutions, thereby contributing to decarbonisation efforts.
FSF's model also integrates sustainable agricultural practices that align with ecological goals, supporting local livelihoods while encouraging innovations in agritechnology. The focus on community engagement ensures that these technological and ecological advancements are adapted to local needs and conditions.
The Liveability Challenge 2022 focused on three themes: Decarbonisation, Food & Agritechnology, and Nature-based Solutions. By winning the Challenge, FSF has secured up to S$1 million in project funding, which will undoubtedly accelerate their efforts in Southeast Asia.
The victory was not limited to the Liveability Challenge funding. FSF also received additional investments of S$100,000 by PlanetRise and S$50,000 by Quest Ventures. These investments will further boost FSF's initiatives in the region.
The Liveability Challenge is supported by Temasek Foundation, an organisation that strives towards achieving positive outcomes for individuals and communities now and for generations to come. Temasek Foundation's programmes cover a diverse range of areas, including uplifting lives and communities in Singapore and beyond.
The Asia Pacific region is the most vulnerable to climate calamity, making initiatives like FSF's all the more crucial. The organisation's integrated approach, which combines forest conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community empowerment, is a step towards advancing decarbonisation efforts, supporting sustainable food systems, and implementing nature-based solutions to climate change and environmental degradation.
Studies have shown that creating a carbon-light economy has multiple co-benefits, including protecting biodiversity, reducing climate impacts, and improving the resilience of human systems. FSF's work aligns perfectly with these goals, making it a worthy recipient of the Liveability Challenge 2022.
As we move towards a more sustainable future, initiatives like The Liveability Challenge and organisations like Fairventures Social Forestry are essential in driving positive change. The hybrid Ecosperity Week 2022, taking place on 7-9 June, will further focus on accelerating action at scale for the energy revolution, decarbonising transport and heavy industries, and financing Asia's green transition.
References: [1] The Liveability Challenge. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.liveabilitychallenge.com/ [2] Fairventures Social Forestry. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fairventures.asia/ [3] Temasek Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.temasekfoundation.org.sg/ [4] PlanetRise. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.planetrise.co/ [5] Quest Ventures. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://questventures.co/ [6] Ecosperity Week. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ecosperity.sg/
- The sustainability model employed by Fairventures Social Forestry (FSF) focuses on creating socially and ecologically sustainable supply chains, encouraging fair economic conditions and community involvement in sustainable agriculture and forestry practices.
- FSF's 3,000-hectare pilot project in Borneo, Indonesia, which started in 2018, aims to combat deforestation, preserve carbon sinks, and support nature-based solutions, contributing to decarbonisation efforts.
- Sustainable agricultural practices are integrated into FSF's model, aligning with ecological goals, supporting local livelihoods, and encouraging innovations in agritechnology.
- The Liveability Challenge 2022, which attracted over 400 applications from over 60 countries, focused on three themes: Decarbonisation, Food & Agritechnology, and Nature-based Solutions.
- By winning the Challenge, FSF secured up to S$1 million in project funding, and also received additional investments of S$100,000 by PlanetRise and S$50,000 by Quest Ventures.
- The Liveability Challenge is supported by Temasek Foundation, an organisation that strives towards achieving positive outcomes for individuals and communities now and for generations to come.
- Studies have shown that creating a carbon-light economy has multiple co-benefits, including protecting biodiversity, reducing climate impacts, and improving the resilience of human systems, and FSF's work aligns perfectly with these goals.
- Initiatives like The Liveability Challenge and organisations like Fairventures Social Forestry are essential in driving positive change as we move towards a more sustainable future, and events like Ecosperity Week 2022 will further focus on accelerating action at scale for the energy revolution, decarbonising transport and heavy industries, and financing Asia's green transition. [References: 1-6 given in text]
