Objective
The project contributes to the GIZ programme "Forest conservation through sustainable supply chains" (ELKE), which strives to protect forests in the Ecuadorian provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas. To this end the project elaborates innovative solutions with stakeholders to facilitate the transition to sustainable and deforestation-free ways of production. 

Challenge 

In the target areas environmentally consumptive agriculture is a major driver of deforestation. Since 2015, around 85 per cent of agricultural, aquaculture and plantation areas have been created by clearing forests. National framework conditions do not yet sufficiently react to the challenge, e.g. by means of incentives for deforestation-free production. Market challenges (Global GAP/EUDR) are addressed by way of a landscape approach.

Our contribution

ECO Consult's contributions are: 

• Analysis of existing value chains (dairy, meat, leather, etc.) in the context of sustainable livestock management
• Analysis of market background and training needs (cooperation potential, commercial alliances, public-private agreements, due diligence regulations, trade agreements, etc.), legal and environmental analysis and advise
• Elaboration of a common public, private and civil society vision and strategy of a deforestation-free production 
• Promote vertical and horizontal linkages of QoL operators
• Strengthen advisory and training service structures (including on gender equality, digitalization and political advocacy)
• In cooperation with our partner DSIK: Identify, design and implement green credit products and financial incentives for deforestation-free livestock, advice to livestock organizations on financial solutions and training in basic financial skills to access financial products.
• Advise on creating a favorable context for deforestation-free value chains in terms of financing, certification, traceability, rural extension, etc.
• M&E to quantify progress in indicators and economic parameters (changes in market access, trade agreements), safeguarding/gender parameters and environmental parameters (reduction in deforestation, GAP+, sustainable livestock farming packages, etc.) 
• Provide organizational and technical advice to livestock organizations to improve their capacities to provide services to their partners (ToT), promote the application of sustainable and regenerative deforestation-free livestock technology packages on farms (local subsidies).
• On the national level ECO Consult and DSIK work towards a national certification standard for deforestation-free livestock farming.