Vlinder restores mangrove ecosystems with local communities, developing high-integrity projects that benefit people, nature, and the climate. Their flagship initiative, the Papariko Project, is a 1,500-hectare mangrove reforestation effort on Kenya's southern coast.

The project is a true world-first: not only is it Kenya's first registered blue carbon project on Verra, but it's the first anywhere to be certified for its combined impact on carbon removal, community benefits, biodiversity, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"Papariko is not just about planting trees—it's about communities leading climate action in a way that is both socially just and ecologically credible," explains Lena Mechekova, Founder & Head of Projects at Vlinder. The project focuses on restoring areas that cannot regenerate naturally, ensuring forest ownership and carbon revenues remain with the communities to build long-term economic resilience.

For the Papariko Project, the core challenge was proving the starting conditions on the ground. To ensure methodological integrity and build trust with investors and auditors, Vlinder needed to scientifically demonstrate that the targeted mangrove sites were truly degraded and lacked the capacity for natural regeneration. While they had collected high-resolution drone imagery, they needed an independent expert to process and analyse the data to validate their field assessments.  

Treeconomy provided the third-party expertise Vlinder needed. By meticulously analysing the drone data Vlinder had collected, our team delivered an independent assessment of the site's ecological status. This process confirmed the baseline conditions of the planting areas, providing a crucial layer of data-driven proof to support Vlinder's certification efforts  

The collaboration was built on technical expertise and a shared goal of achieving the highest standard of credibility.

"The Treeconomy team was highly responsive, technical, and collaborative," says Lena. "They worked closely with us to analyse our drone data and align their insights with our ground-truthing results and certification requirements." 

The primary outcome of the collaboration was clear and tangible: Treeconomy's analysis provided the defensible proof Vlinder needed to confidently approach the formal validation process.

As Lena states:

"Treeconomy's analysis of our drone data provided independent validation of our baseline. This strengthened our submission for the project's validation". This input was critical in ensuring full alignment with the Verra methodology.  

Looking ahead, Vlinder is focused on completing the restoration of the 1,500-hectare Papariko Project by 2028. Their vision extends beyond this initial site, with plans to expand to new project areas in Tana River, Kwale, and Kilifi counties. This growth will be coupled with a continued commitment to facilitating additional sustainable livelihoods, ensuring that community benefits scale alongside ecological restoration.

Based on his experience, Lena offers a clear piece of advice for other developers looking to build high-integrity projects:

"Integrating remote sensing and drone analytics early is essential. It saves time, money, and gives you a defensible foundation for carbon certification and credibility."

Vlinder's success demonstrates the critical role that independent, data-driven evidence plays in the success of innovative nature-based projects. If you're developing a project, Treeconomy is here to help you build the case for credibility and impact.

Learn More About Our Services: Discover how our can support your project's journey from concept to certification with assessments like Project Site Eligibility, Carbon Projections, and Dynamic Performance Benchmarking.

Ready to Move Forward? If you're looking to de-risk your project, ensure compliance, and attract investment, get in touch with our commercial team today to discuss your specific needs.