LocationsEmpowering rural communities to build resilience through nature-based solutions in Timor-Leste
Planting for the Future: Reforestation Brings New Life to Aileu and Liquica
May 19, 2025
Community members in Aileu gather at the reforested site, standing proudly beside the trees they planted together as part of the UNDP-GCF project - a living symbol of resilience, unity, and hope for a greener future
Jaquelina Correia/UNDP Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste, May 2025: In the heart of Timor-Leste’s rural highlands, communities in Aileu and Liquica are embracing nature-based solutions to combat the growing challenges of climate change. Through the UNDP-GCF project “Safeguarding Rural Communities and Their Physical Assets from Climate-Induced Disasters,” local farmers, women, and youth are leading a movement to restore degraded land, protect water sources, and build more resilient livelihoods.
Over 57 hectares of land - equivalent to nearly 80 football fields - have been reforested since the start of the year. In Aileu, 36 hectares of land were replanted with native and fruit trees, while Liquica saw more than 21 hectares revitalized. This green transformation is not just about trees - it’s about empowering people to protect the land they depend on.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
During recent field visits to the planting sites, project staff and local partners observed encouraging results. Most seedlings have taken root successfully, with survival rates reaching over 85% in Aileu and around 75% in Liquica - despite tough conditions like poor road access, dry weather, and limited water.
To support these young trees, local farmers are using eco-friendly techniques such as mulching with leaves to trap moisture, and creating “biopores” - small holes around plants that help store water and reduce erosion. In Aileu, a new drip irrigation system will be introduced in the coming months, giving farmers a practical and low-cost way to care for seedlings during the dry season.
In the village of Durubasa in Liquica, change is growing not only in the soil - but in the lives of women like Agusta dos Santos, a mother of five who never imagined she would become a leader in sustainable farming.
After participating in project-led training, Agusta began managing her own 0.266-hectare farm. Using the new techniques she learned, she planted a variety of climate-resilient crops. With better road access - also improved by the project - she now reaches the local market in under an hour, compared to the previous two-hour walk. Her family earns an additional $15–20 per week from selling vegetables, fruit, and other produce.
Her story is part of a bigger shift. Women across Liquica and Aileu are stepping up, gaining confidence, and proving that sustainable farming is not just men’s work - it’s a shared responsibility and opportunity for everyone.
Agusta dos Santos stands proudly by the tree she planted in Durubasa, Liquica. Through the UNDP-GCF project, she gained skills in sustainable farming, boosting her family’s income and inspiring other women to lead in climate action.
Jaquelina Correia/UNDP Timor-Leste
Community at the Center
The reforestation project has worked hand-in-hand with local communities since its beginning. Villagers were actively involved in preparing the land, planting seedlings, and maintaining farms. Traditional practices like tara bandu - Timor-Leste’s customary law used to manage natural resources - have also been introduced to protect planted areas from livestock and promote collective care for the environment.
Although some challenges remain - such as water shortages, distance from farms to homes, and competing priorities during harvest or cultural events - local farmers continue to show commitment. Additional support and training from partners will help ensure that the trees planted today grow into strong forests tomorrow.
Mr. João Alves and Mrs. Helena de Jesus, reforestation project beneficiaries, stand beside a Quilaria Malaccensis (Gaharu) tree, one of the high-value species planted to restore degraded land and protect against erosion.
Jaquelina Correia/UNDP Timor-leste
Looking Ahead: A Greener, Safer Tomorrow
As the dry season approaches, plans are already in place for replanting in the next rainy season (November–December 2025). More than 50 women will join upcoming training programs, and new seedlings will be raised in local nurseries to reduce transportation loss and improve survival rates. Through this project, rural communities are not only restoring the land - they are reclaiming their future, one tree at a time.
About the Project
The project “Safeguarding Rural Communities and Their Physical Assets from Climate-Induced Disasters” is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste.
Its goal is to reduce the vulnerability of rural communities to climate change by strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure, restoring forests and ecosystems, and promoting sustainable land and water management practices. Special focus is given to empowering women, improving local livelihoods, and ensuring community ownership of climate solutions. This initiative is part of Timor-Leste’s broader commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future for all.
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