How a Crowdfunding Campaign in Costa Rica Raised US$1.8 Million to Restore a Forest and Create Hundreds of Green Jobs

"Huella del Futuro" (Footprints for our Future), a reforestation campaign launched four years ago in Costa Rica, has made great strides in restoring the environment and supporting the community. Since its launch, the crowdfunding campaign has successfully raised more than US$1.8 million in donations, enabling the planting of more than 250,000 trees in northern Costa Rica, an area severely affected by climate change.

The initiative goes beyond reforestation by creating hundreds of green jobs and improving the living conditions of vulnerable populations, directly benefiting local communities. By committing to care for and maintain these trees for five years, the campaign plays a crucial role in the fight against biodiversity loss and supports Costa Rica's ambitious goal of increasing forest cover to 60% by 2030. These efforts were made possible through collaboration with six implementing partners and ten women-led organizations.

Unlike many other reforestation projects, this initiative is characterized by a five-year maintenance plan to ensure the survival of the trees. "As long as there is the commitment from local people, reforestation is possible. It’s not just about planting trees and leaving them; they need ongoing care. From the moment they were planted to their current size, these trees have been well taken care of, and we are proud of what we have achieved," – says Ana Lilliam Corrales, Association of Agro-industrial and Ecological Women of Zota El-Zota de la Rita-limon, Pococi.

Photo: UNDP Costa Rica. Ana Lilliam Corrales, Association of Agro-industrial and Ecological Women of Zota El-Zota de la Rita-limon, Pococi

Creating green jobs and supporting vulnerable communities

The initiative focuses on reforestation and supporting vulnerable communities. It promotes the creation of green jobs and thus improves the living conditions of local people. To date, 3216 green wages and 237 green jobs have been created and 95 beneficiaries from these communities have been supported.

"As an executing partner of the programme, Codeforsa contributes to the restoration of ecosystems, the rehabilitation of degraded areas and the conservation of biodiversity through planting and maintenance of trees. In addition to the environmental impact, the project also has a significant social impact and contributes to the well-being of local communities. The local people ensure that the trees grow properly, which has a positive impact on both the environment and the people involved"," – says Karina Murillo Marin from Coderforsa, Radial de las Delicias de Aguas Zarcas, San Carlos, Alajuela.

Photo: UNDP Costa Rica. Karina Murillo Marin from Coderforsa.

"With green wages, we can support many families who assist with pruning, maintenance and planting. 'Huella del Futuro' gives rural communities the opportunity to care for forests and earn extra income. Since the first planting over a few years ago, people in the community have benefited greatly, which highlights the significant social impact of this project," says Jose Miranda Araya from CTP Farm, La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Photo: UNDP Costa Rica. Jose Miranda Araya from CTP Farm, La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Innovative tools for monitoring tree planting and maintenance

To monitor the progress of tree planting and maintenance, the campaign has created an online map. This map was developed based on a geospatial viewer created by a group of young women from the north of Costa Rica. This innovative tool records data on the trees planted, including species, planting date, location and care details. It is like a birth certificate for each tree, and it commits to caring for and protecting the newly planted trees and, if they do not survive, planting new ones. "As a tool, it has enormous power. Anyone who plants a tree can say: this is my tree, my family's tree and we will preserve it in the long term," says Jairo Serna Bonilla, a specialist in ecosystem services and sustainable production at UNDP Costa Rica.

Photo: UNDP Costa Rica. A geospatial system to monitor tree planting and their maintenance

Nature and people’s prosperity are connected

Humanity's dependence on nature for resources such as food, medicine, water and other essentials emphasizes the importance of initiatives such as “Huella del Futuro".” By planting 200,000 trees, this campaign ensures the health and well-being of the local population and emphasizes the need for healthy ecosystems to maintain a healthy population. It offers people a tangible connection to nature and promotes a sense of responsibility for the environment.

Looking forward

Based on the success of the first campaign, Huella del Futuro will begin a new chapter, raising funds for interventions in a new region - the Greater Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica.

The aim is to rehabilitate the landscapes and ecosystems in this area to improve the living conditions of vulnerable communities, especially women, while achieving multiple ecological benefits such as carbon sequestration, temperature regulation, oxygen production, soil protection and recovery. In addition, a vital habitat for birds and pollinators will be created, paving an important path towards a greener and more sustainable San José.

In June, one of the first urban forests in the metropolitan region was inaugurated in the León XIII neighborhood. The Fundación Vuelve a Soñar, which runs a children's dining hall for 150 children and young people, will play a key role in implementing this initiative. The foundation will be responsible for providing green jobs for women in the community to improve the economy of families and promote a safer and more prosperous environment.

“Huella del Futuro” is an example of the impact of collective efforts in tackling environmental issues and supporting vulnerable communities. This campaign offers a unique opportunity to restore Costa Rica’s forests, support vulnerable communities and pave the way for a sustainable future.

"The people who donated for these trees can come and see that their donations were not in vain. There are beautiful, big trees here. Local people not only planted these trees but also took care of them and continued to look after them. That’s why they are thriving. In a few years, we hope it will be a beautiful forest to visit and see. We need to create more forests; we need to plant instead of cutting,” says Ana Lilliam Corrales.

The campaign continues to accept donations on its website and Classy.org platform with the international crowdfunding support of BIOFIN UNDP.

Note: The campaign was launched in 2020 by the Government of Costa Rica, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), the Environmental Forestry Fund (FONAFIFO), and the Environmental Bank Foundation (FUNBAM), with support from the UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative to restore the country’s forests and support vulnerable communities, particularly women, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.