Social Development Programs – Mekong Timber Plantations

About 

Mekong Timber Plantations is a core asset of the Tropical Asia Forest Fund 2 (TAFF2), located in Laos. The plantation is managed with a dual focus: producing certified sustainable timber and delivering measurable social impact through community engagement. In 2025, the asset continued to strengthen its relationships with surrounding villages, aligning forestry operations with inclusive development goals. 

Key Initiative 

The team implemented a community engagement program that includes educational support, volunteer activities, and livelihood development. This involved awarding scholarships to local students, organising volunteer events with local youths, and supporting smallholder farmers through access to seedlings at subsidised prices and technical assistance before and after planting. These initiatives are designed to build trust, improve local capacity, and ensure long-term positive relationships with communities adjacent to the plantation. 

Impact 

The program has helped deepen community ties and promotes shared value between forestry operations and local development. It contributes to social license, supports youth education, and empowers households to participate in sustainable land use practices. The initiative reflects New Forests’ broader commitment to responsible investment in emerging markets. 

Statistics 

• Four university students awarded scholarships and have received annual payments since 2022, and another four in the planning phase. 
• Seven volunteer groups trained by the company since 2024 with the mission to become young leaders and build local students’ soft-skills capacity. 

Souvanane Keothammavong – Head of Sustainability for Mekong Timber Plantations said, 

“Throughout the six years I have been working with MTP under New Forests’ oversight, I have felt grateful to be part of a socially responsible company. With continuous FPIC, fair grievance resolution channels, periodic living wage assessments, and youth development programs, we are not just planting trees, but creating opportunities for employees and local communities while building the foundation of a sustainable future.”