LGT Venture Philanthropy (LGT VP) is pleased to announce the extension of our partnership with Ahueni, a non-profit organisation committed to protecting biodiverse ecosystems, sustaining community livelihoods, and offsetting global carbon emissions through the development of carbon asset projects. Through this grant, LGT VP will support Ahueni in enhancing its strategic capabilities and institutional capacity as it continues to implement the One Mara Carbon Project (OMCP) in the Mara ecosystem.
The One Mara Carbon Project develops alternative livelihood opportunities for the Maasai Mara community after tourism income for landowners collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic. LGT VP, in collaboration with the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA), supported a feasibility study to explore carbon projects as a sustainable solution. This led to the establishment of Ahueni, tasked with developing and financing the OMCP, in partnership with Conservation International which provides technical support and funding. OMCP focuses on grassland restoration and has been registered with Verra, a globally recognised standard for carbon credit certification, ensuring the project’s credibility and transparency.
Combining economic resilience with climate action, OMCP aims to uplift local livelihoods by increasing landowners’ earnings, generating jobs for the community, and supporting development projects. The project is also expected to achieve significant environmental benefits, with projected annual reductions of 350,000 metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions - equivalent to eliminating 1.75 billion miles of airline travel.
LGT VP’s environment strategy is centered on protecting and regenerating ecosystems by focusing on scalable terrestrial and marine conservation models with a strong component of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) that are embedded in local communities. The partnership with Ahueni strengthens LGT VP’s holistic landscape approach of developing a set of sustainable solutions for both communities and ecosystems to thrive. Ahueni plays a complementary role in strengthening community-led conservation and boosting economic opportunities while driving carbon sequestration.
Oliver Karius, CEO, LGT Venture Philanthropy, says: "Our partnership with Ahueni embodies our commitment to community-driven conservation and climate solutions. By investing in innovative projects like OMCP, we are empowering local communities to lead in environmental stewardship while creating sustainable income opportunities."
Gjermund Hansen, Managing Director, Ahueni adds: "LGT VP's continuous support serves as a cornerstone for sustaining Ahueni'sefforts in the Maasai Mara. Nature-based projects require long-term commitments and significant up-front structural investments. The understanding and dedication demonstrated by LGT VP and our co-funders to invest are essential to safeguarding our increasingly threatened natural resources."
Ahueni is Swiss-incorporated company with non-profit status working in Kenya to develop carbon asset projects to protect biodiverse ecosystems, sustain community livelihoods, and offset global carbon emissions. Ahueni’s first carbon project in the Mara ecosystem, the One Mara Carbon Project (OMCP), focuses on grassland restoration. OMCP is developed in close collaboration with Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservation Association as the project sponsorand the technical experts of Conservation International. OMCP carbon credits are designed to generate proceeds that flow back into local communities. For more information, please visit www.ahueni.net/
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 organisations 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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