True environmental restoration goes hand-in-hand with social empowerment. That's why we're thrilled to launch our new Social Impact Dashboard, a deep dive into the tangible changes our work is creating within the communities we serve. This isn't just about planting trees; it's about cultivating sustainable livelihoods and building resilient futures.

In February 2025, we partnered with our planting teams in Kenya and Tanzania to conduct a comprehensive household survey. We wanted to understand the real-world impact of our initiatives, going beyond the numbers of trees planted to explore the lives impacted. This survey had 50 questions, reaching over 95% of our local team members, and provides a powerful snapshot of the positive changes happening on the ground. We plan on conducting it annually to give us a dynamic, long-term view of our impact, enabling us to adapt our strategies, track long-term progress, and ensure sustained positive change within the communities we serve.

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Strengthening Communities, Protecting Our Planet

We're building thriving communities in Kenya and Tanzania by providing sustainable livelihoods. This ensures the long-term protection of restored ecosystems.

Here's a glimpse of our impact:

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Six Indicators of Impact

We've distilled our findings into six key indicators, each chosen to reflect the core values and goals of our programs:

1. Number of Employees: This directly demonstrates the jobs our projects create, offering stable income in regions where opportunities are often scarce. In East Africa, many of our team members once relied on temporary jobs like farming or running food stalls—work that offered limited financial stability.

2. Women in Full-Time Work: We're committed to empowering women, providing reliable employment and pathways to leadership. Before joining our planting program, most of the women surveyed did not have stable employment. They relied on unpredictable income sources like farming, food stalls, and sewing. We prioritize hiring women, particularly those facing financial pressure as heads of their households.

3. Women in Leadership Roles:  Women are now leading nursery teams and overseeing reforestation efforts. Previously, none of the women held leadership positions. Now, they are taking on roles with greater responsibility and influence. This not only boosts their confidence and skills but also sets a powerful example for other women and girls in their communities.

"It's incredibly fulfilling to work with such a dedicated team, especially the women. They are incredibly hard-working and passionate about restoring their local environment." Fatuma Mupa Ndegwa, Site Forester, Kadzyuhoni, Kenya

4. Access to Water: Water scarcity is a critical challenge. We track access to this essential resource, ensuring communities have water within a 30-minute round trip, reflecting our commitment to holistic well-being.

5. Health Insurance: Access to healthcare is vital for well-being and financial security. Our program in East Africa provides health insurance to local planting team members and their families, who previously had limited coverage. After three months, full-time team members are offered health insurance, providing peace of mind and financial protection in times of need.

“Every family in Africa is one sickness away from poverty. What is different is the medical cover(age) we have (that) covers principal, spouse and family members. We don't just take care of their welfare in terms of salary, but we go beyond that to make sure that the medical wellness, the health wellness of the principal and the family is insured.” Victor Mwanga, CEO of EarthLungs

6. Access to Financial Services: With a stable income, planting teams in East Africa are gaining reliable income and employment. This stability allows them to join microfinance groups, access loans and credit, invest in their futures, start businesses, and support their families, fostering community trust along the way.

These indicators aren't just numbers; they represent real lives transformed. For many of our on-ground team members, this is their first experience with stable employment, healthcare, and financial security.

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The Process: Rigor and Respect

Our methodology is rooted in rigorous data collection and a deep respect for local context, with the survey being conducted in Swahili. We collaborated closely with our planting partners and local experts, ensuring our survey was culturally sensitive and accurately captured the nuances of the communities we serve. We also referenced established frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) to ensure our data is both relevant and comparable on a global scale. We conducted pilot surveys to ensure the questions were understood and that they led to useful results.

We also understand the importance of ethical data collection. All surveys adhere to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) principles, ensuring participant understanding and voluntary participation.

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Why This Matters to Your Business

In today's world, impact matters. Consumers and investors want to know that businesses are making a difference. By measuring and reporting on our social impact, we're:

• Building trust: Transparency is key.
• Driving sustainable growth: Investing in communities is investing in the future.
• Meeting ESG goals: We're committed to responsible business practices.

Our Social Impact Report isn't just a report; it's a testament to the power of restoration. Ready to make a real difference and invest in sustainable, community-driven restoration? Reach out to us today to learn how partnering with veritree can benefit your business and the planet.

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