WeForest

Origins: 

The origins of WeForest can be traced back to Bill Liao, co-founder, in 2008 who wished to find a simple solution to the urgent issue of global warming, triggered by his 8-year-old daughter at the time. Simultaneously, Marie-Noëlle Keijzer, co-founder and CEO, had reached the decision of focussing on something meaningful after her successful career in large corporates. When Keijzer met Liao in 2009, they decided to combine their passions and transform this idea into a non-government organisation (NGO). At the beginning of their journey, as WeForest had no seed-funding, Keijzer volunteered for 3 years, knocking on many doors. Over time, however, WeForest has developed a unique capacity to mobilise companies - from startups to multinationals - to engage their employees and millions of consumers in restoring the world’s forests.

About WeForest:

WeForest is a science-based international non-profit established in Belgium with additional legal entities in France, Ethiopia and Zambia that specialises in engaging companies to act for the climate, the plant and the people. Spread over 3 continents and 12 countries, they aim to empower communities to sustainably advance and implement innovative, high-standard, scalable and lasting solutions to restore forest landscapes. Since 2009, WeForest has positively impacted around 183,000ha, restoring 22,000ha and now have an installed capacity to reach 85,000ha or 100 million trees by 2024.