Local Econocast: Episode 6

Introduction to Commonland

Commonland believes that landscape restoration offers tremendous untapped opportunities for sustainable economic development. To demonstrate this potential, Commonland aims to realize large-scale landscape restoration with local farmers, land-users and experts, based on sustainable 4 returns business cases. Its holistic restoration approach combines and connects 3 different landscape zones (Natural, Combined, Economic) for a period of 20 years, delivering 4 returns (Return of Inspiration, Social Capital, Natural Capital, Financial Capital). Currently, Commonland has projects in South Africa, Spain, Australia and the Netherlands.

This episode features Willem Ferwerda, CEO, Commonland Group. Mr. Ferwerda has extensive experience in ecology, biodiversity, conservation and business. He was the former Head of the Netherlands office of IUCN and is the founder of Leaders for Nature. He is also board member and advisor of several academic institutions. In 2010 he created the first agreement on ecosystems and biodiversity between the Netherlands Confederation of Industries and nature organizations.

In the second part of this episode, Blaise Tchabi from the Local Development Finance Practice at UNCDF, will share his stories and perspectives in the development field. He has been working with UNCDF for 22 years and his work focuses on programme management, financial planning and local development funds in West Africa.

About the Local Econocast

Welcome to the Local Econocast produced by Local Development Finance Team at the United Nations Capital Development Fund! We are a centre of excellence and innovative fund for local government finance and local economic development finance in the world’s 47 least developed countries. In this podcast series, we share and broadcast cutting-edge knowledge, ideas and insights from experts and practitioners on various topics related to local economic development and the role of local government. There are two parts in each episode – an interview with a guest who has a fresh perspective on local development, and a conversation with a staff member who will share their stories, experiences and passion in the development field.