17/3 2025

Results from our ”Tropical Forests Initiative”

In 2024, the projects under our “Tropical Forest Initiative” were successfully concluded. Four organizations received a total of 19.5 million SEK to carry out projects aimed at preserving tropical forests in the Amazon, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia.

At the beginning of 2020, The Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation consulted various experts in climate issues and philanthropy to find ways to enhance the Foundation’s impact in the environmental sector. Given the complexity of environmental issues, the role of civil society, and the discussions held, we decided that we could make the strongest impact by focusing our support to different thematic focuses, leading to the “Tropical Forest Initiative.”

Our goal with this initiative was to contribute to the preservation of tropical forests in the Amazon, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia by supporting efforts within three thematic areas identified with experts: legal and political frameworks, markets, and local communities. Through outreach efforts, several promising organizations were identified and encouraged to apply within the initiative. A total of 19.5 million SEK was granted to four organizations: World Resources Institute, ClientEarth, Re:wild, and Rainforest Foundation US.

We are pleased to see that the projects within the initiative have succeeded in protecting and preserving tropical forests, contributing to combating climate change and preserving biodiversity.

The World Resources Institute has enhanced efforts to combat tropical deforestation through the Global Forest Watch monitoring system. A total of 2,400 individuals have been trained to use this system, expanding the monitored forest area from 38 million hectares to 47 million hectares.
ClientEarth has worked to curb deforestation in the Amazon by holding multinational companies and investors accountable in legal cases. They have also reviewed potential prosecution paths related to trade in goods linked to the Amazon.
Re:wild has strengthened the protection of Suriname’s tropical forests. They have established a new protected forest area, trained ten individuals in the application of environmental legislation, and expanded satellite monitoring to cover the entire country, approximately 16.4 million hectares, to address illegal activities.
Rainforest Foundation US has conducted rights-based conservation efforts to protect critical ecosystems in Guyana. A total of 1.8 million hectares of traditional land and valuable forests in Guyana have received increased protection.Rainforest Foundation US has conducted rights-based conservation efforts to protect critical ecosystems in Guyana. A total of 1.8 million hectares of traditional land and valuable forests in Guyana have received increased protection.

Photo: Erik Hallengren