Project Sekoly Maintso
Planting trees to offset carbon, support community resources, and promote sustainable land use
The construction of schools is vital for improving access to education, but it also comes with an environmental cost. The production and transport of building materials generate carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. The impacts of climate change are disproportionately felt by the communities SEED works with in southeast Madagascar, where shifting and increasingly extreme weather patterns are disrupting livelihoods, especially for households reliant on agriculture. To address this issue and reduce the environmental impact of construction and transportation, SEED Madagascar began Project Sekoly Maintso (Malagasy for “Green Schools”).
SEED’s Response
Launched in 2022, Project Sekoly Maintso offsets the carbon emissions generated by SEED Madagascar’s education infrastructure programme through community-led tree planting. Across five communities, trees are planted on two types of sites of community-owned land: carbon offset sites, designed to absorb each school’s emissions over a 10-year period, and resource-use sites, which become available for harvesting and will provide sustainable, long-term natural resources for local households.
Planting trees and improving agricultural practices contribute to the preservation of our planet and future generations
Haussmann, Project Coordinator
Impact (January 2022 – March 2026)
- 238,778 kg of carbon offset, including offsetting over 55% of six school constructions
- Over 15,000 trees planted, including 10,000 for carbon offsetting,4,500 for community resource use, 300 natives, and 600 fruit trees
- Eight environmental education sessions delivered to students on sustainability and environmental stewardship
- Nine fire agents recruited and trained to lead community fire response
- 10-metre firebreaks established and maintained at all planting sites to reduce wildfire risks
Next steps
- Plant ≈1000 trees during the 2027 planting season to offset emissions from three new school constructions
- Expand planting for community resource use, supporting long-term access to natural resources
- Plant 200 fruit trees at two project-supported schools to enhance nutrition and green school environments
- Deliver additional environmental education sessions for students
- Continue fire agent training, community mobilisation, and firebreak maintenance across all five communities
Donors
Project Sekoly Maintso was made possible through the generous support of private donors.
