Social Benefits
Plan Vivo projects provide real social benefits, such as a diversification of local incomes and increased farm productivity. Forestry activities can provide timber; poles; fuelwood; fruits and medicines to local farmers. Projects that provide reliable, renewable electricity to remote villages can facilitate the development of cottage industries in areas of low employement. The Plan Vivo process allows producers to plan activities around their own needs and resources. This results in the empowerment of communities, and other stakeholders who are consulted on project activities.
Poverty reduction is one of the major benefits of Plan Vivo projects.
- Payments enable farmers to invest in sustainable, economically viable systems that reduce dependency on aid or government support
- In a cash poor economy the increased income leads to higher standards of living. Payments for example can be invested into enterprises including craft making, or can be used to pay school fees.
- Improved land management means less movement is required as land can support agriculture for long periods of time. This makes access to healthcare and eductation easier.
- Human capital in terms of business skills means access to other markets becomes a possibility. For example the community groups set up for the Scolel Te project were able to join a fair trade coffee growers cooperative.
- NTFPs including honey, fruit, timber for construction and fuelwood become available. Trees also provide shade for animals and crops
Financial Management
Careful financial management ensure that carbon finance reaches the right people and is used responsibly. This is done in several ways
- An independent 'Trust Fund' can be set up to act as a community bank.
- Each community member or community group should have their own account, to give flexibility to spend it on what they want. Training in numeracy, and accounting skills should be given where required.
- It is beneficial if the women are empowered to take charge of the finances, as they are more likely to be responsible with it.
- A community fund can be set up to allow the community to invest in larger scale investments such as a healthcare centre. This community fund can be also used for whole village projects, such as the protection of village forest areas for avoided deforestation offsets.