Mumbai, India, January 2025 – LGT Venture Philanthropy Foundation (LGT VP) is delighted to announce its partnership with Landesa to support the organisation’s ambitious Coastal Livelihoods and Mangroves Programme. Through this collaboration, LGT VP will support Landesa in advancing its mission of protecting ecologically vital mangrove forests across six countries in South and Southeast Asia by fostering policy reforms and enhancing land governance at local, national, and regional levels. This partnership leverages Landesa’s leadership in using land governance as a pivotal tool to safeguard ecosystems and improve the livelihoods of communities dependent on them. LGT VP’s core funding and non-financial support will strengthen Landesa’s organisational capacity and provide critical resources to build the evidence base for effective policy advocacy.
Established in 1981, Landesa has long focused on strengthening land rights and governance for marginalised communities because evidence has shown that landlessness is the best indicator of a family slipping into poverty. Initially, Landesa worked to secure land titles for vulnerable populations, particularly women, enabling them to pursue sustainable livelihoods. Over time, Landesa identified the transformative potential of improved land governance, especially secure tenure for communities in addressing climate change. With mangrove forests being vital carbon sinks, nurseries for diverse marine life, and an important livelihoods source, Landesa has identified their protection and restoration as a key focus area of its climate action efforts.
The Coastal Livelihoods and Mangroves Programme (CLMP) supports local, national, and regional governments in drafting and adopting policies to protect mangroves, improve community livelihoods, and mitigate climate change. Mangroves, which play a critical role in climate regulation, biodiversity preservation, and local economies, face increasing threats from development pressures and weak tenure rights. Alarmingly, 50% of mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse. With Asia hosting 40% of world’s mangrove forests, Landesa identified six priority countries in South and Southeast Asia (India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia) which require immediate action. By 2032, CLMP aims to protect and restore 4.6 million hectares (~30% of global mangrove forests; 78% of all mangroves in South and Southeast Asia), mitigate 943 MtCO2 per year, and benefit over 73 million people across these six countries.
Oliver Karius, CEO and Partner of LGT Venture Philanthropy, explains: "LGT VP’s environment strategy focuses on supporting natural climate solutions rooted in local communities. Landesa’s dual approach of conserving mangrove forests while enhancing the livelihoods of dependent communities aligns perfectly with our objectives. Their proven record of driving policy change at scale and their highly experienced team gives us great confidence in their ability to achieve these ambitious goals."
Chris Jochnick, CEO of Landesa, echoes: "For millions of coastal inhabitants in South and Southeast Asia, mangrove forests are an essential source of food, shelter, and livelihood. Stronger tenure rights offer a path for communities to effectively steward and protect these vital ecosystems, while continuing to enjoy economic benefits for generations to come. This partnership with LGT VP helps propel Landesa’s efforts to drive policy change and strengthen land governance in coastalb areas, improving outcomes for people and planet."
Landesa is an international non-governmental organisation that advances inclusive, equitable, and gender-sensitive land rights reforms through law and policy tools. Secure land rights improve livelihoods, boost agricultural productivity, empower women and youth, protect Indigenous Peoples' culture, and help rural communities respond to climate change. Based in Seattle and with offices in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Thailand, Landesa has equipped more than 705 million people with stronger land rights in the past five years. For more information, please visit www.landesa.org.
LGT Venture Philanthropy (LGT VP) is an independent charitable foundation established in 2007 with teams in Switzerland, Sub-Saharan Africa, and India. The Foundation strives to improve the quality of life of people facing disadvantages, contribute to healthy ecosystems, and build resilient, inclusive, and prosperous communities. LGT VP focuses on strengthening the capabilities of locally rooted organizations that deliver effective, scalable solutions across health, education, and the environment, contributing directly to the SDGs. For more information, please visit www.lgtvp.com.
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