Introducing WISE Trees: Reducing carbon emissions and promoting disability inclusion

WISE Trees, a project in collaboration with WithOneSeed, the Ho Musan Ida Foundation and WISE Employment, aims to deliver long-term environmental, community and humanitarian impact and develop a model for disability inclusion and community education in Timor-Leste.

The model for the project will see WISE Trees ‘adopt’ 200,000 trees managed by farming communities in 10 villages across the sub-district of Baguia, Timor-Leste. Trees are propagated in a nursery before being passed on to local farmers who will plant and protect the trees over time. These trees bring economic wellbeing to the farmers, help reduce carbon emissions in the air, and prevent soil erosion for food crops to thrive.

By adopting these trees, funding is given to the Ho Musan Ida Foundation to design and develop a model for people with a disability to become active in reforestation activities.

Like in many countries, people with disability in Timor-Leste face social, accessibility and political barriers. Through the WISE Trees project, disability awareness and inclusion support will be provided to the wider communities, reducing the stigma of disability and opening up opportunities in the future.

All parties involved with the project are committed to providing those with disability a safe and inclusive work environment. All physical and communication barriers will be removed so workers can perform their roles to the best of their abilities. Barriers can include ensuring their workspace is accessible, information is communicated to everyone in an appropriate manner, appropriate transport is provided and more.

WithOneSeed co-founder and Project Director, Andrew Mahar AM, says WISE Trees will positively impact the community in many ways.

“We are able to put an earned dollar in their pocket that gives them the option to make choices in life and not be reliant on charity or aid,” says Andrew Mahar AM.

“These activities ensure people with disability are treated with respect and dignity.”

Deputy CEO, Ary Laufer, says the project is the perfect expansion to WISE’s existing mission.

“WISE are proud to be supporting both people and planet through the WISE Trees project,” says Ary.

“Creating inclusive and diverse communities is a mission WISE Employment strives to achieve every day. WISE Trees will see the expansion of this mission to Timor-Leste.”

The WithOneSeed community forestry program, developed by xpand Foundation, is the first social enterprise acting on climate change through community lead forestry and carbon markets in Timor-Leste. It is dedicated to improving the resilience of subsistence communities to make environments sustainable, to end poverty and hunger, to deliver agroforestry education and create regional and international partnerships.

Foundation Ho Musan Ida, a successful social enterprise that delivers a number of business enterprises in the remote area of Baguia in Timor-Leste including the WithOneSeed community forestry program.

WISE has worked WithOneSeed to offset carbon emissions since 2019.

wiseemployment.com.au/