OurCoop's tree planting promise continues to make a difference

This year we’ve continued to support farming communities in Malawi through our Funeral tree planting promise where a tree is planted for every funeral we arrange.

We’ve partnered with the Co-operative Climate Action who work with a range of stakeholders including the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) to deliver a comprehensive tree-planting programme in Malawi.   

Co-operative Climate Action undertakes projects in Malawi to achieve

• Reductions in atmospheric CO2
• Resilience to extreme weather events for vulnerable communities
• Restoration of biodiversity and wildlife protection

Their co-operative model engages and trains local people in the management of these projects. This avoids the need for costly accreditation schemes and ensures they control any income generated.

Support is provided to these co-operative businesses whose economic success then underpins the long-term sustainability of the environmental and social benefits.

So far, we’ve planted 18500 trees and conducted community awareness activity on tree and giant bamboo planting to encourage more communities to participate in our tree planting promise in the coming years.

We’ve also started tree survival supervision tours inviting communities to learn more about tree care and participate in weeding and creating fire breaks designed to contain potential wildfires. So far, the results have been very encouraging despite a few challenges along the way.

January

The flooding caused by the exceptional rain at the end of December resulted in 12 deaths and the displacement of 49,000 people in Malawi with Dwangwa and Khotakota worst affected. With bridges destroyed, roads washed away, and communities recovering, planting operations were totally disrupted.

The floods were followed by three weeks without rain, highly unusual for the time of year, but more normal weather resumed on 24th January and WESM are starting to resume operations. They are optimistic they can meet their planting targets as communications gradually improve.

The next phase of co-operative training has been postponed until March/April once the damage in the communities has been assessed.

February

Favourable planting weather has enabled good progress in all our communities, and we are nearly halfway to our target, despite a number of roads and bridges requiring detours following the floods.

Costs are a major challenge to WESM due to vehicle breakdowns, inflation, and government-imposed price increases for fuel which has doubled in price. Our volunteer planters face even more severe economic hardship as a result which makes the development of the income generating projects identified all the more important.

 March

It has been another busy month in the field for our planting communities, aided by continuing rains. WESM are including bananas this year to provide another source of food and income from the program. These should provide a harvest within 9-18 months depending on the weather and soil conditions.

Looking forward, costs are a major concern and we're preparing an analysis of cost increases for us to consider in preparation for next year. The cost of fuel and seedlings are the main problem with both having doubled in local currency terms since August 2025.

With your continued support we can keep making a difference to the lives of communities in Malawi though our tree planting promise and also Our Malawi Partnership.