Fairventures Worldwide Uganda has officially transitioned its country operations into a fully local organisation now known as Good Forests Foundation Uganda (GFU), marking a major shift toward locally led climate action and sustainable forestry initiatives.
The handover ceremony was held Thursday at the organisation’s offices in Crown House, Kampala, where leaders, partners and government representatives witnessed the symbolic transfer of all projects, partnerships and field operations to the new Ugandan-led entity.
James Thembo, Director of Good Forests Foundation Uganda, said the transformation reflects a deliberate effort to strengthen local ownership and resilience in Uganda’s forestry and environmental restoration sector.
"I’ve been serving at Fairventures Worldwide, now closed, as Co-Country Director in charge of Forestry and Operations. Fairventures had been here since 2018, focusing on tree growing—not just planting but growing trees with communities. To date, they have grown around 2.1 million trees across 22 districts," he said.
Thembo noted that Fairventures’ German leadership recognised that locally grounded institutions create stronger long-term impact.
"Being of German origin, they learned that being local means more impact than being foreign. We’ve seen international organisations come and leave when funding ends. But a local organisation, even with no funding, stays," he said.
He added that the transition was designed to empower Ugandans to lead, sustain and grow the organisation’s mission.
"So they resolved to transform the Fairventures Uganda office into a local independent organisation called Good Forests Foundation. Good Forests Foundation takes on all Fairventures’ projects. Fairventures is not going away; they will remain in Germany as the main donor of the organisation," he said.
Thembo said GFU will build on Fairventures’ legacy but expand into new livelihood opportunities for rural farmers.
"What we plan to do is integrate cash crops or commodity trees—cocoa, coffee and a lesser-known crop called Hass Avocado. The farmer is given a portion of timber trees and a portion of cash crop trees so that within two years, they can begin earning," he explained.
He revealed that the organisation is already signing MOUs with chocolate processors and export companies such as Esco and MuldBack Chocolate to directly link farmers to markets.
GFU will also promote energy-saving cookstoves to reduce woodfuel consumption.
"As we spread the gospel of growing trees, we also want households to use energy-saving stoves that keep fire controlled. A tree that would be used up in a day could instead last three days," he said.
Thembo encouraged Ugandans to embrace tree planting as part of national programmes and cultural celebrations.
"Can we ensure that everyone receiving PDM money plants at least 10 trees? Can cultural leaders encourage every family to plant a tree on Christmas?" he said.
Patience Naamara, representing Fairventures Worldwide Uganda, highlighted the organisation’s milestones over the last seven years.
"Fairventures Worldwide started operations in 2018… Our team has grown from 3 staff in 2018 to 53 workers in 2025. A total of 6,518 farmers have benefited. We have distributed 2,140,962 seedlings, and 1,054,471 trees have been tracked and monitored to date," she said.
She emphasised that the transition is not an end but an evolution.
"FVW will continue to provide technical expertise and resources. Long-term impact is possible when local communities and institutions are empowered," she added.
Representing the Ministry of Water and Environment, Assistant Commissioner Issa Kamwesigye applauded the organisation’s professionalism and alignment with Uganda’s forest sector reforms.
"The contribution of Fairventures—now Good Forests Uganda—in professional competence, skills development and quality service delivery speaks volumes about their training," he said.
He highlighted ongoing government efforts to regulate foresters, strengthen carbon markets and support deforestation-free commodity systems for cocoa and coffee.
"It’s important that as we package messages, we move together. Good forests mean good everything—not just climate action," Kamwesigye said.
Megan King, CEO of Fairventures Worldwide, affirmed their long-term commitment as GFU’s main donor.
"We will continue to be that bridge. We’re not going anywhere—we've got your back," she said.
She expressed confidence that GFU will grow into a strong and self-reliant institution.
"Someday in the future, we hope to become a less important donor as Thembo and his team stand on their own feet," she added.
GFU will focus on forest landscape restoration, community livelihood empowerment, sustainable forest-based value chains, farmer training and coordination, and climate-smart rural development.
This transition marks a significant milestone in the localisation of environmental conservation efforts in Uganda, placing renewed emphasis on sustainability, community ownership and long-term resilience.