What WeForest does

WeForest is a Belgium-registered non-profit association (VZW/asbl) founded in Brussels in 2009 by Marie-Noëlle Keijzer and Bill Liao, delivering science-based Forest and Landscape Restoration across 25 projects in 9 countries with approximately 110 staff and a Brussels headquarters plus field offices in Lusaka and Addis Ababa. Its core offering consists of regional restoration programs (Blue Carbon in Senegal, Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot in Ethiopia, Miombo Belt Regeneration in Zambia/Malawi/Tanzania, Wildlife Corridors in Brazil/Argentina, The Great Green Wall, and Special Projects) that combine active tree planting, assisted natural regeneration, agroforestry, and forest protection under a community-led model anchored in Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

WeForest's underlying technology stack rests on a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation framework that maps every hectare into GPS-tagged polygons visible to sponsors, supplements them with satellite remote sensing and drone imagery, applies AI-powered acoustic biodiversity monitoring (in partnership with WildMon), and operates the MataDIV tree-diversity experiment and MataFLUX eddy covariance flux tower at the University of São Paulo's Itatinga station - the first flux tower built over restoration plantings. Programs are independently certified under Preferred by Nature's Ecosystem Restoration Standard, Verra's Verified Carbon Standard, and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards.

WeForest generates revenue primarily through corporate sponsorships from 450+ business partners (multi-year contracts, per-tree or per-hectare pricing of €1-€3, with personalized impact reporting and content assets), supplemented by philanthropic grants from 50+ foundations and philanthropists (including a €1M Nationale Postcode Loterij gift in 2024), an emerging carbon credit revenue stream under new 40-year Verra certifications, and Payments for Ecosystem Services channeled through benefit-sharing mechanisms, with approximately 80% of every euro directed to program development, implementation, research, M&E, and scaling.

Name

WeForest

Legal name

WeForest VZW

Website

https://weforest.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WeForest is a Brussels-based non-profit delivering science-based Forest and Landscape Restoration across 25 projects in 9 countries, funded by 450+ corporate partners and 50+ philanthropists with AI-powered monitoring and third-party certified carbon, biodiversity, and community impact.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation and Forest Restoration Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (11321), Support Activities for Forestry (115310)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Forest Ecosystem Services & Carbon/Conservation Programs (AFAMAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Forest Carbon Projects & Ecosystem Services (Carbon Credits, Biodiversity) (IMAMAAAJ), Monitoring, Survival Surveys & Carbon/MRV Services (Remote Sensing, Field Audits) (AFAMACAO), Silviculture & Reforestation Services (Nurseries, Planting, Tending) (IMAMAJAC)

Keywords

• Forest restoration services
• Reforestation programs
• Carbon offset projects
• Biodiversity monitoring
• Agroforestry livelihoods

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: WeForest delivers verified forest restoration outcomes to business partners in exchange for sponsorship contributions. Partners receive a sponsored forest polygon with GPS coordinates, regular impact reports, content assets, co-branding opportunities, and access to field visits. Sponsors can expense contributions and receive invoices with VAT. This is the primary revenue stream, with contributions from 450+ corporate partners since 2009 totaling US$62 million.
2. Philanthropic Grants and Donations: Funding from private philanthropists, foundations, and charitable giving programs. Donations from individuals and institutions support tree planting and restoration activities. Individual donors can give via Global Giving. Charitable gifts may be tax-deductible depending on jurisdiction. Approximately 50 philanthropists and foundations have contributed since 2009, with a major €1M gift received from Nationale Postcode Loterij in 2024.
3. Carbon Credit Revenue: Selected projects are undergoing certification under recognized carbon standards (Verra Verified Carbon Standard, Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards) to enable generation of carbon credits. New Verra standards certify projects for 40 years, providing long-term financial sustainability for local communities beyond the typical 10-year implementation period. Carbon credit revenue supports ongoing monitoring and community benefit sharing.
4. Payments for Ecosystem Services: Revenue streams include payments for ecosystem services generated by restored landscapes. Benefit sharing mechanisms channel forest-based revenues back into financing long-term restoration efforts. The organization aims for financial sustainability where a proportion of forest-based revenue is channeled back through balanced benefit sharing mechanisms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WeForest delivers verified science-based forest and landscape restoration outcomes to corporate partners, philanthropists, and individual donors in exchange for sponsorship contributions. Sponsoring entities receive GPS-mapped forest polygons, third-party verified impact reports, content assets, and co-branding opportunities. Programs span six global initiatives (Blue Carbon, Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, Miombo Belt Regeneration, Wildlife Corridors, Great Green Wall, Special Projects) using techniques including active tree planting, assisted natural regeneration, agroforestry, and forest protection, with rigorous monitoring via GPS, satellite, drone, acoustic AI, and flux tower technologies.

Product overview

WeForest is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem restoration platform focused on sustainable forest and landscape restoration. The core offering comprises multiple regional programs including Blue Carbon (mangrove restoration in Senegal), Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot (Ethiopia), Miombo Belt Regeneration (Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania), Wildlife Corridors (Brazil, Argentina), Great Green Wall (Senegal), and Special Projects. Supporting services include Monitoring and Evaluation with GPS polygon tracking and satellite monitoring, Applied Research collaborations with universities, Third-Party Verification through Preferred by Nature and Verra standards, and Business/Philanthropic Partnership programs. The platform delivers impact through tree planting, agroforestry, assisted natural regeneration, conservation, and community livelihood support, with technology features including drone-based monitoring, acoustic biodiversity tracking, and remote sensing frameworks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forest and Landscape Restoration Programs Comprehensive reforestation programs delivering forest restoration across multiple global regions, including community engagement, tree planting, agroforestry, assisted natural regeneration, and forest protection activities.
• Blue Carbon Program Mangrove restoration and blue carbon sequestration in West Africa (Senegal), targeting coastal ecosystems covering 7,019 hectares of coastline across the Sine-Saloum Delta and Casamance Estuary.
• Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot Program Forest restoration across Eastern Africa's mosaic of forests, grasslands, and wetlands, including projects in Ethiopia (Desa'a Forest, Wof Washa Forest, Gewocha Forest) covering 21,679 hectares.
• Miombo Belt Regeneration Program Forest restoration in Southern Africa's miombo forests where over 65 million people depend on these ecosystems, with projects in Zambia (Copperbelt, Katanino, Lavushimanda, Mukungule, Imanda Forest), Malawi (Mount Mulanje), and Tanzania (Mahale Mountains), covering 33,013 hectares.
• Wildlife Corridors Program Atlantic Forest restoration in South America connecting fragmented forest habitats for wildlife migration, with projects in Brazil (Pontal, Tietê Forests) and Argentina (Misiones), covering 1,756 hectares of dedicated wildlife corridors.
• Great Green Wall Program Restoration of degraded land in Senegal's Ferlo region through native trees, assisted natural regeneration, and sustainable land management at the western edge of the wider Great Green Wall initiative, covering 1,071 hectares.
• Special Projects Innovative financial approaches to forest conservation and restoration, including test cases in Apuí and Butiama Hills, covering 6,552 hectares.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Services Science-based monitoring and evaluation systems tracking forest growth, biomass, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, soil and water conservation, community resilience, and poverty alleviation indicators, using SMART indicators, GPS polygon mapping, satellite remote sensing, and drone imagery.
• Applied Research Services Collaborative research with universities and institutes across four thematic areas: Restoration Science, Forest-Water Nexus, Protecting and Restoring Biodiversity, and People and Livelihoods, including the MataDIV tree diversity experiment and MataFLUX eddy covariance flux tower.
• Third-Party Verification Services External verification of restoration projects through Preferred by Nature (Ecosystem Restoration Standard), Verra (Verified Carbon Standard), and Climate Community and Biodiversity Standards, providing independent third-party validation of restoration outcomes.
• Business Partnerships Corporate partnership program enabling companies to create measurable environmental impact aligned with UN SDGs, including personalized forest maps, company sponsor pages, content libraries, twice-yearly progress reports, partner badges, and co-branded marketing opportunities.
• Philanthropic Partnerships Philanthropic funding support for igniting new initiatives, accelerating proven solutions, and exploring bold models for sustainable change, engaging 50+ philanthropists and foundations since 2009.

Quantifiable outcome

• 118+ million trees grown and growing globally
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

AI capability8 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Climate Impact PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2024Launched a high-impact mangrove restoration project in Senegal (Sine-Saloum and Casamance) combining voluntary carbon market removal credits with innovative technology use to improve understanding of restoration outcomes. The partnership generates verified carbon removal credits while supporting local coastal communities.
• NASAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA visited WeForest's restoration project sites in Senegal in August 2022, indicating scientific collaboration or data-sharing related to mangrove monitoring and restoration verification.
• IPÊ (Institute for Ecological Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term research partnership in Brazil's Atlantic Forest (Pontal and Wildlife Corridors program) since 2014 (over a decade). IPÊ and WeForest collaborate on biodiversity monitoring using acoustic technology, with IPÊ providing ecological research expertise and local implementation capacity. Partnership has produced published research on biodiversity recovery.
• WildMoncoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for acoustic monitoring of biodiversity in restored forest sites. WildMon's AI-powered platform analyzes acoustic data collected in Brazil (Pontal) and Zambia (Copperbelt/Imanda Forest) to track species diversity and ecosystem recovery. The partnership produced a publicly accessible biodiversity dashboard.
• KU LeuvencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for post-doctoral research examining regime shifts in tropical dry forests (TDFs) in Zambia's Katanino project area from a social-ecological perspective. Investigates how ecological thresholds and abrupt shifts affect ecosystem restoration and community wellbeing. Timeline 2024-2027.
• University of São PaulocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership establishing the MataDIV tree diversity experiment and MataFLUX eddy covariance flux tower at the Itatinga research station in Brazil — the first flux tower built over restoration plantings. Investigates relationships between tree diversity, drought, soil fertility, and carbon/water cycles in the Atlantic Forest. Ongoing since 2019.
• Mekelle UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership evaluating the impact of WeForest Ethiopia's restoration interventions (Desa'a Forest, active since 2018) on local water resources. Researchers measure soil water infiltration rates, spring water discharge, water quality, and groundwater potential. Timeline 2025-2026.
• Copperbelt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with researchers at Copperbelt University to develop optimised bokashi compost using locally available raw inputs accessible to smallholder farmers in Zambia (Katanino and Copperbelt projects). Farmers are trained in making and applying bokashi compost to grow maize and cabbage, with researchers monitoring effects on soil health and crop productivity. Timeline 2024-2026.
• Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year research partnership studying the impacts of agroforestry programs on fuelwood use dynamics in the Mount Mulanje landscape in Malawi. Also involves Inter Aide. Addresses the critical driver of forest degradation from household fuelwood dependence. Timeline 2024-2028.
• AfroGrowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon funded project involving 25 partners establishing a network of agroforestry Living Labs across Africa (Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Zambia). WeForest participates as a partner organization. Aims to create sustainable agroforestry systems strengthening food security and biodiversity in Africa. Living Labs serve as hubs for research, knowledge exchange, and innovation. Timeline 2025-2029.
• Preferred by NaturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird-party verification of WeForest projects under Preferred by Nature's Ecosystem Restoration Standard. Both the Katanino project (Zambia) and the Desa'a project (Ethiopia) have achieved External Verification Statement (ERS) certification, confirming effective community-driven forest restoration approaches.
• Verra (Verified Carbon Standard)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon certification body for WeForest's selected projects. Verra's Verified Carbon Standard and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards certify projects for 40 years, enabling generation of carbon credits that provide long-term financial sustainability for local communities.
• 1% for the PlanetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWeForest is a member of 1% for the Planet, a nonprofit bringing dollars and doers together to address the planet's most pressing issues. The membership connects WeForest with a network of environmentally conscious businesses and consumers.
• UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWeForest participates in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems worldwide, led by UNEP and FAO. The organization's programs directly contribute to the Decade's global restoration goals.
• AFR100 (African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWeForest is a member of AFR100, a country-led effort to bring 100 million hectares of land in Africa into restoration by 2030. The partnership aligns WeForest's African restoration programs with national and continental restoration commitments.
• Global Mangrove AlliancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWeForest is a member of the Global Mangrove Alliance, which brings together NGOs, governments, scientists, industry, local communities, and funders with a common goal of conserving and restoring mangrove ecosystems. WeForest's Blue Carbon program in Senegal contributes directly to the Alliance's mangrove restoration targets.
• 1t.org (UN Decade Platform)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWeForest is affiliated with 1t.org, a World Economic Forum initiative supporting the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, led by UNEP and FAO. The platform unites governments, organizations, academic institutes, communities, and individuals to restore lost and degraded forests.
• RestorcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWeForest is part of Restor, the largest network of restoration and conservation sites across the globe. The platform provides public-facing visibility for WeForest's restoration project locations and impact data.
• The Art of ForestsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWeForest participates in The Art of Forests coalition, which brings together some of the world's largest and most innovative ecosystem restoration organizations to share knowledge, best practices, and create a supportive community.
• BirdWatch ZambiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner contributing to biodiversity monitoring in Zambia restoration projects.
• CIRADminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench agricultural research institution collaborating with WeForest on restoration science and agroforestry research in Africa.
• ISRA (Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenegalese agricultural research institute collaborating on Blue Carbon and Great Green Wall program research in Senegal.
• Inter AideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO collaborating with WeForest Malawi on agroforestry research in the Mount Mulanje landscape, specifically studying fuelwood use dynamics.
• Global Forest Landscape Restoration Network (GPFLR)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal network uniting governments, organizations, academic institutes, communities, and individuals to restore the world's lost and degraded forests and their surrounding landscapes.
• The Economics of Ecosystem Restoration (TEER)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-partner initiative collecting standardized data about costs and benefits of ecosystem restoration worldwide. WeForest contributes data and participates in methodology development.
• Belgian Alliance for Climate ActionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBelgian Alliance for Climate Action invites organizations to take the lead on climate action by setting science-based targets. WeForest participates as a Belgian-registered organization.
• Pacto Mata AtlânticaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrazilian movement integrating actors interested in restoring the Atlantic Forest, inducing actions and results at scale with environmental, social, and economic benefits. WeForest's Wildlife Corridors program in Brazil contributes to this initiative.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Eden Reforestation Projects: Non-profit reforestation organization that plants trees in tropical regions using community-led models with cost-per-tree pricing. Closely comparable business model and target funder base (corporate + philanthropic sponsors funding cost-per-hectare or cost-per-tree restoration in Africa, Asia, and Latin America).
• One Tree Planted: Non-profit reforestation organization operating a per-tree donation model with corporate partnership programs and project portfolios across global regions. Directly comparable in funding model (corporate sponsorship + individual giving) and restoration focus.
• Trees for the Future: Non-profit focused specifically on agroforestry-based restoration in sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable through its Africa field programs, community-led farming livelihoods approach, and corporate/foundation fundraising model.

Emerging players

• Pachama: Forest carbon credit marketplace and project development platform using satellite monitoring to verify nature-based carbon projects. Comparable through forest carbon credit monetization and remote sensing/MRV technology, but Pachama is technology-led rather than restoration-project-led.
• Sylvera: Independent carbon credit ratings agency focused on forestry and nature-based removal credits. Comparable through engagement with carbon credit quality and forest project MRV, but operating as ratings/analytics provider rather than project implementer.

Broad incumbents

• South Pole Group: Major carbon project developer and climate solutions provider with extensive forestry portfolio across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Comparable through forest carbon project development and corporate climate partnerships; much larger scale and broader climate-services scope.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the world's largest environmental NGOs with major forest restoration initiatives, corporate nature partnerships, and science-based monitoring. Comparable in mission and science-driven forest restoration but operates globally with much greater scale and breadth of programs.
• Conservation International: Large global conservation NGO with forest restoration, corporate partnerships, and field programs in tropical regions. Overlapping mission in forest protection and restoration, but operates across broader conservation themes (oceans, climate, freshwater) with much larger scale and resources.
• Rainforest Alliance: Forest-focused NGO and certification body working with corporates and producers across tropical forest landscapes. Comparable in forest focus and corporate sustainability partnerships but centered on certification and supply-chain rather than direct planting/restoration.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Global conservation leader with extensive forest programs and corporate partnership channels. Comparable through forest conservation mission and corporate sponsorship; substantially broader biodiversity and climate scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/weforest
• Facebookfacebook.com/WeForest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/weforest
• Instagraminstagram.com/weforest_org
• Xx.com/WeForest_org

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WeForest