Vichada Climate Reforestation, Colombia

Vichada Climate Reforestation is a large-scale forest restoration project in Colombia's Vichada Department, within and around the Bita River Basin (municipalities of Puerto Carreño, La Primavera, and Cumaribo). It is developed by FORLIANCE GmbH, with implementation by local participants Inverbosques S.A. and Aldea Forestal S.A.

The project rebuilds anthropogenically degraded savanna grassland into permanent conservation forest, with no timber harvest or commercial use. Planting began in 2006 using pioneer species (Acacia sp., Pinus sp., Eucalyptus sp.) as nurse cover to stabilize degraded soils, and is now transitioning toward close-to-nature forest structure through native species enrichment planting and assisted natural regeneration. The restored area exceeds 25,000 ha within a broader project area over 100,000 ha. Both participants hold FSC (SLIMF) certification and have committed to conserving the forest for 50 years.

The project impacts SDG 13, 8, and 15, with co-benefits in biodiversity protection, soil restoration, watershed conservation, and habitat connectivity. Beyond carbon, it operates under a defined benefit-sharing framework reaching landowners, employees, and local communities, bringing direct employment above minimum wage to one of Colombia's most remote and marginalized departments while supporting local capacity building and structured community engagement.