By Gijs Tolmeijer | Organisation & Business Development Coordinator
Project: Food Forestry – Truly Valuable
GlobalGiving’s Food Forestry – Truly Valuable initiative promotes establishment of food forests to restore ecosystems, increase biodiversity, and improve food security and nutrition in vulnerable communities. These multi-storied agroforestry systems provide year-round yields of fruits, nuts, vegetables, medicinal plants and timber while enhancing soil health, sequestering carbon, and building resilience in the face of climate challenges.
Recent Progress
A dedicated student team from the University of Amsterdam (UvA) has recently concluded development of a demo version of an innovative tool designed to assist local stakeholders in planning, implementing, and managing food forestry systems and communicating its true value. The tool integrates ecological data, yield projections, and community needs into actionable recommendations and has been validated through pilot testing.
Next Steps
We are now working to transition the tool into a launchready version, in collaboration with the nonprofit Association Voedsel uit het Bos. This next phase includes user interface refinement, stakeholder workshops, and integration into local foodforest planning processes. With support from this association and guidance from local communities, we aim to enable broader uptake of the tool across demonstration sites.
Together, these advancements reinforce the project's mission: to communicate food forestry true value—both ecologically and socially.
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