Operations

The Village Climate Solutions Project (VCSP) started on 21st April 2012 with Verra account number 1325, under the name MJUMITA Community Forest (Lindi). The Project as initiated by two GNOs, the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG) and Mtandao wa Jamii wa Usimamizi wa Misitu Tanzania (MJUMITA). It covers 41,924 hectares owned by 8 villages and 2 Mitaa in Lindi. The 8 villages are Muungano, Mkombamosi, Makumba, Likwaya, Kinyope, Ruhoma, Milola Magharibi, and Kiwawa, while the two Mitaa are Nandambi and Mkanga 1. 

Project Document Validation and First Verification 

The validation of the first project document and verification of the first monitoring period, covering the period from 21st April 2012 to 20th April 2013, were completed in 2024. A total of 36,171 tCO2e were verified. 

From 2015 to 2018, the Project was dormant but continued to generate carbon credits  

 Unfortunately, the NGO partners were unable to secure a suitable buyer for the 2012–2013 credits and ceased supporting the project after 2015. Despite this, the project communities continued protecting their village forest reserves without monitoring, verification, or sales. By 2018, cumulative emission reductions had reached 232,386 tCO2e. 

Accelerated deforestation in 2019-2022. 

Lindi Municipality reclassified Nandambi and Mkanga 1 from villages to Mitaa, transferring control of their forests from the villages to the municipality. The municipality subsequently allocated portions of these forest reserves to Tanzanian cashew farming investors. This decision was likely influenced by the project’s inability to continue verifying and selling emission reductions. As a result, deforestation accelerated between 2019 and 2022, reducing the project’s cumulative emission reductions to 103,877 tCO2e by 2022. 

VCSL Initiated the Second Phase  

At the end of 2022, Village Climate Solutions Limited (VCSL) secured permission from TFCG, MJUMITA, and the project communities to revive the project. The Verra account was reactivated, and the project was renamed Village Climate Solutions, with VCSL as the sole proponent. A new project document was subsequently developed. 

Second Monitoring and Verification for the Lindi Project 
VCSL prepared the second monitoring report for the Lindi project, covering the period from 2013 to 2022. This report underwent verification to facilitate validation and verification for the project’s 

Obtaining Consent Letters and Registering the Project 

VCSL collaborated with District Forest Officers to introduce the project concept to 59 village councils and 6 Mitaa. Meetings were attended by 1,776 participants (560 women, 1,216 men, and 308 youth). Subsequently, general village assemblies gathered 5,921 community members (2,413 women, 3,508 men). Consent to register the project was secured, and VCSL registered the project with the Designated National Authority. Then VCSL developed and registered the project concept note, and obtained Letter of No Objection from the Designated National Authority.  

Drafting Carbon Trade Contracts with Local and National Authorities 

On February 6-7, 2024, a long-term carbon trade contract was drafted with input from 12 legal and forest officers (2 women, 10 men) representing Nachingwea, Mtama, Lindi Municipality, Mvomero, Morogoro Rural, and Kilosa Local Authorities. The draft underwent extensive review from May 22-24, 2024, by 15 legal and forest officers (5 women, 10 men) from PO-RALG, VPO-DoE, regional secretariats, and respective Local Authorities. 

Approval of Carbon Trade Contracts at the Village Level 

Between February and June 2024, VCSL presented the draft contracts during Village Council meetings, which were attended by 1,960 participants (594 women, 1,366 men, and 209 youth). Subsequent Village and CBO general meetings involved 5,336 attendees (1,852 women, 3,484 men, and 993 youth). 

Approval of Carbon Trade Contracts at the Local Authority Level 

From April to June 2024, VCSL engaged in Local Authority meetings with 589 participants (164 women, 425 men), including councilors and council management teams from Nachingwea, Lindi, Mvomero, Morogoro Rural, and Kilosa. 

Signing the Carbon Trade Contract 

On October 18, 2024, VCSL signed a 40-year carbon trade contract with the Managing Authorities. 

Adjusting and Remarking Village Forest Reserve Boundaries 

VCSL revised the boundaries of 57 Village Land Forest Reserves (VLFRs) and formalized 5 new reserves, removing 24,368 hectares of heavily farmed areas and expanding reserves by 108,000 hectares. These boundary adjustments were incorporated into Village Forest Management Plans, approved alongside the carbon trade contracts. 

Developing VLFR Boundary Cutlines 

VCSL created detailed cutline maps and engaged 566 community members (527 men, 39 women) to clear cutlines covering 709 blocks (507 km). Prior to boundary clearing, plans were approved by village general assemblies with 1,321 attendees (446 women, 875 men, and 241 youth) from 18 villages. 

Establishing Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) 

Between September and December 2023, VCSL facilitated the creation of five CBOs in Nandambi and Narunyu (Mitaa) and Rutamba (village) in Lindi Municipality, as well as in Msimba and Ihombwe (hamlets) in Mikumi Township, Kilosa District. A total of 27 meetings were held with 1,054 participants (327 women, 727 men, and 180 youth). These CBOs are set to sign Joint Management Agreements (JMAs) with local authorities, enabling communities to manage and benefit from forests similarly to village councils. 

Technical Support for Forest Protection Activities 

A total of 483 patrol team members, including 44 women for every 100 men and 138 youth, received training on forest monitoring technologies. Teams used smartphones to track deforestation, upload data, and navigate to affected areas. By June 2024, the project supported 773 patrols, identifying 4,853 deforestation patches. Culprits were educated and warned during