KAYA Newsletter #5. August / September 2025
KAYA Newsletter #5. Aug/Sep 2025
Introduction
KAYA is striving towards launching its agroforestry and reforestation projects in Angola, and much has happened lately on the ground. After identifying suitable regions in the Malanje province in the north of the country, we are now about to begin the implementation phase of the agroforestry project.Â
In order to begin, we have carefully engaged local stakeholders including the communities who will be involved, and who we will work with to improve the soil, improve crop yields and crop diversity, and ultimately reduce carbon emissions.Â
We will also be present at the upcoming Climate Week NYC 2025 in September. Read on to get the latest updates about all things KAYA.Â
Latest News
Agroforestry project implementation phase nears
According to carbon market verification bodies and standards, the implementation phase of a nature-based solutions project officially begins when the first on-the-ground project activities are carried out that directly result in climate and ecosystem outcomes (e.g., tree planting, assisted natural regeneration, establishment of protection measures, or introduction of sustainable land-use practices). KAYA is fast approaching this stage with the completion of several important phases.Â
To reach this stage we’ve undertaken preparatory activities including site selection and baseline studies to understand local conditions. We recently completed community engagement meetings – and soil preparation is the next step. Ploughing and clearing land to accommodate agroforestry rows is expected to take place in September 2025.Â
Community engagement meetings
After identifying suitable areas to launch our agroforestry project, we recently engaged six farming cooperatives in the vicinity of Malanje using free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) methods. The KAYA field team first met with the Soba (traditional leader) and local administrative representatives to formally introduce the project and seek their permission to engage with the broader community.
The meetings were attended by Sr. Lucrecia Sonhi Dala – a representative of the Environmental Development Assessment agency (EDA) from the local Cacuso Municipality. We aim to involve local stakeholders in the consultation process, and the presence of the EDA as a government representative, ensures they can bear witness and are firmly a part of the process.Â
Our team outlined the agroforestry project plans, explaining how it will work, the roles each community member will play, their rights, and the grievance mechanism in place.
We created hand-out materials to help explain how the project will work and to introduce the concepts of climate change and carbon credits, supporting deeper engagement and understanding of our plans.
Crop voting
Communities were given a chance to vote on which crops they would like to include in the project. Our field team listed a wide range of crops that could thrive in new agroforestry systems, centred around native species and popular staple crops. Communities expressed a general preference for fruit trees, reinforcing the value of our nursery capacity-building efforts and the KAYA Lab demonstration visits, which help local farmers refine and improve their techniques.
Storytelling
At KAYA, we recognise that storytelling is a powerful tool for connecting people to the real impact of nature-based solutions. On our recent visits to rural communities in Angola, we met local people in our identified project areas to understand their situation and begin telling their story. In a country where awareness of carbon projects is limited and community voices are rarely heard, sharing these experiences is essential.
We hope to revisit these communities to demonstrate the progress and tangible impact of our work, highlighting how restoration and sustainable land-use activities benefit both people and the environment, while fostering trust and engagement with local and international stakeholders.
Road repairs
To facilitate the development of agroforestry plots in the six identified cooperative areas, KAYA will be developing the necessary infrastructure, including the repair of roads leading to the applicable regions. These improvements will provide co-benefits – not only aiding the implementation of the project but also providing rural communities better access to markets, health centres and schools.
New York Climate Week
Our CEO Chaitanya Sure will be attending Climate Week New York City 2025 from 23–28 September, the world’s largest annual gathering of climate leaders, innovators, investors, and policymakers. For KAYA, it is a unique opportunity to showcase our nature-based solutions in Angola on the global stage, connect with partners advancing high-integrity climate action, and engage in critical discussions on climate finance and sustainable land use.
His presence underlines our commitment to building strong international partnerships and mobilising resources for large-scale ecosystem restoration. He will also be available for bilateral meetings throughout the week to explore collaboration opportunities with organisations and individuals who share our vision for impactful, community-driven climate solutions.
KAYA is looking to further discussions around themes of food security, regenerative agriculture, and scaling finance for nature-based solutions.
If you’ll be in New York and would like to meet, please reach out to Chaitanya at chaitanya.sure@kaya.global.
Industry News
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) has released new guidance to strengthen how the market addresses permanence – the risk that stored carbon could be re-emitted. For project developers like KAYA, this matters directly: permanence is often the most scrutinised element of nature-based solutions, and the ICVCM’s proposals – ranging from harmonised risk assessments and buffer pool stress-testing to exploring permanence funds – set clearer expectations for how projects should manage long-term risks.
For KAYA, these developments are encouraging. They not only validate the importance of building robust safeguards into project design, but also open opportunities to engage with innovative tools that enhance resilience and investor confidence. By aligning early with these evolving standards, KAYA can demonstrate leadership in Angola and beyond – showing that our projects are not only high-integrity today but also designed to stand the test of decades.
Hiring
KAYA is currently seeking a AFOLU Project Development Specialist (f/m/d), a Forestry Specialist (f/m/d), a Head of Climate (f/m/d), and an Angola Human Resources Manager (f/m/d). Applicants can reach us by writing to work@kaya.global. Keep an eye on our LinkedIn page and our website job portal for openings.
Join our mission to scale high-integrity nature-based solutions in Angola and beyond. Thanks for reading!
KAYA Climate Solutions
