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Our Vision
Helping as many villages as possible in Tanzania to participate in REDD+
VCSL is committed to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while empowering communities and protecting Tanzania’s biodiversity.
Our Impact
we strive to change the environment for the better place
VCSL has measurable impacts across climate action, community development, biodiversity conservation, and national sustainability.
112,548 hectares of reduced forest loss over 40 years
19,003,183 tCO2e net estimated reductions
Training: 41,692 females & 34,610 males trained in forestry, carbon trade, and conservation
Employment: 2,911 individuals provided with job opportunities
Income Growth: $106 million benefiting 166,810 people
Education: 6,074 girls & 5,590 boys with improved secondary & tertiary access
Sustainable management of 345,243 hectares of forests
Protection of 10 vulnerable & 8 endangered species
Conservation of High-Value Habitats:
- Ilole (Kilosa), Noto & Chitoa (Lindi), Selous–Msanjesi Wildlife Corridor
- Buffer protection for Mikumi National Park, home to endangered African Savannah Elephants & African Wild Dogs
$16.8 million allocated to the President’s Office & Local Government Authorities over 40 years
$13.4 million directed to the Designated National Authority
Corporate & Dividend Taxes contributing to national development
Protection of critical watersheds supporting irrigation, domestic & industrial use, and the 5.9GW Nyerere Hydropower Dam
Achievements
(September 2022 – June 2024)
Since its reactivation, VCSL has made significant progress in REDD+ initiatives
- Project Registration
- Revived project registration in Verra (account #1325)
- Verified 72,666 tCO2e emission reductions (2012–2022 period)
- Forest Protection & Expansion
- Revised 57 Village Land Forest Reserve (VLFR) boundaries
- Established 5 new reserves, expanding conservation by 108,000 hectares
- Consent for New Phase
Secured approval from Lindi Municipality, 59 Village Councils, 6 Mtaa, and 7 Local Authorities
- On-Ground Conservation Actions
- 773 forest patrols conducted
- 4,853 forest disturbance events documented using Mergin Map technology
- 507 km of boundary cutlines established to protect Village Land Forest Reserves
- Approval & Carbon Trade Contracts
- Gained Letter of No Objection from the Designated National Authority
- Signed 40-year Carbon Trade Contracts
- Second Phase Project Development
- Developed the 2022–2024 Verification Report
- Projected 537,157 Verified Emission Reductions (VERs) to be verified by June 2025