What Drives Us
Mission Statement
EWP Principals bring invaluable operational experience to Liberia, marked by ground breaking achievements such as exporting 21,000 tonnes of woodchips to Italy—the first of its kind from Liberia via bulk carrier. Collaborating closely with the Liberian Tchien Menyen Indigenous people and the Liberian Forestry Development Authority for 18 months, we’ve forged a genuine Community Forestry Partnership, founded on the principles of partnership rather than concession. Our initial project area spans 50,000 hectares, offering a sustainable harvest potential of 800,000 metric tonnes. We adhere to modern sustainable forestry practices, ensuring complete traceability from preparation for harvest to exportation. With meticulous tree cataloging and a science-based approach, we mitigate any resource risks, ensuring a sustainable and responsible operation.
Sustainability and community empowerment are a principal focus of EWP. Fostering environmental, social, and economic sustainability often involves empowering local communities. Here are several ways in which sustainability and community empowerment intersect:
- Participatory Decision-Making:
Involve local communities in decision-making processes related to sustainability initiatives. This ensures that projects align with community needs and aspirations.
- Education and Awareness:
Empower communities through education and awareness programs on sustainable practices. This includes environmental conservation, responsible resource management, and the benefits of sustainable living.
- Capacity Building:
Provide training and capacity-building programs to enhance the skills of community members. This may include education on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy technologies, and other eco-friendly practices.
- Access to Resources:
Ensure equitable access to natural resources, such as water, land, and forests, so that communities can use these resources sustainably and derive economic benefits without depleting them.
- Economic Opportunities:
Create sustainable economic opportunities within communities, such as eco-friendly businesses, agroecology initiatives, and community-based tourism. This helps diversify income sources and reduces dependency on unsustainable practices.
- Local Entrepreneurship:
Support local entrepreneurship by encouraging the development of small businesses that align with sustainable practices. This can include eco-friendly manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, or artisanal products.
- Collaboration with Indigenous Knowledge:
Recognize and integrate indigenous knowledge and traditional practices into sustainability initiatives. Communities often possess valuable insights into sustainable resource management based on centuries of experience.
- Renewable Energy Access:
Provide access to clean and renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and improve energy access in remote areas.
- Community-Based Natural Resource Management:
Implement community-based natural resource management, allowing communities to actively participate in the conservation and sustainable use of local ecosystems.
- Health and Well-being Programs:
Implement health and well-being programs that enhance community resilience and address social determinants of health. Healthy communities are better equipped to adopt and sustain eco-friendly practices.
- Gender Equality:
Promote gender equality and ensure that women within communities have equal access to resources, education, and economic opportunities. Empowering women often leads to more sustainable and resilient communities.
- Technology Transfer:
Facilitate the transfer of sustainable technologies to communities, enabling them to adopt innovative solutions for waste management, water purification, and other environmental challenges.
- Land Tenure Rights:
Secure land tenure rights for local communities, ensuring that they have ownership and control over their land. This helps prevent land degradation and supports sustainable land use practices.
- Cultural Preservation:
Support initiatives that preserve and celebrate local cultures. Cultural empowerment contributes to a sense of identity and pride, fostering community cohesion and resilience.
Sustainability and community empowerment are interconnected aspects of holistic development. When communities are actively involved and empowered, they become stewards of their environment, leading to more resilient and sustainable societies.
To this end the EWP Partnership Agreement includes obligations for infrastructure and services to enhance the living conditions, health and education opportunities for the Indigenous Liberians • Grand Gedeh is a remote, isolated county in Liberia, border by Cote D’Ivoire. Its forests are subject to cut and slash raids. EWP will resolve to protect the community and its precious commodities.
- EWP has made a commitment to have the majority of wood veneer machines operated by Indigenous Liberian women.
- Establish apprenticeship programs so that members of the Community can develop carpentry skills and expertise so that they can create their own spin off business (such as furniture and lumber) with the full support of EWP. BREAKTHROUGH ROYALTY STRUCTURE • The Indigenous Liberians will be paid Royalties at multiple stages of the Value Chain 1. At round log stage from forest 2. At Sawmill stage 3. At Veneer stage
