Papariko
Vlinder’s flagship mangrove restoration initiative, Papariko, spans the coastal areas of southeastern Kenya. Operating in Kwale, Kilifi, and Tana River Counties, the project has to date restored more than 250 hectares of degraded mangroves while improving livelihoods for vulnerable communities, and aims to deliver an estimated 1 million tonnes of CO₂e removals.
The Papariko project is Kenya’s first registered blue carbon initiative on Verra’s registry and the only mangrove restoration project worldwide to achieve certification under Verra’s VCS, CCB, and SD VISta standards. Co-designed and co-managed with local stakeholders, the project aims to strengthen resilience through new income opportunities such as agroforestry, beekeeping, and ecotourism, with over 70% of local staff being women. By combining indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge science, Papariko aims to safeguard biodiversity, enhances fisheries, and protect communities from extreme weather.
CAPE selected Papariko for its governance structure with deep community involvement, its demonstrated impact to date and its potential to provide a scalable and replicable model for blue carbon initiatives worldwide.
Mangrove restoration is emerging as one of the most powerful nature-based solutions to address climate change, biodiversity loss and community resilience. In this video, we speak with Tom Kagerer, CEO of Vlinder, about the Papariko Blue Carbon Project in Kenya, part of the first cohort of the Carbon Accelerator Programme for the Environment (CAPE), launched by FSD Africa, Finance Earth and the African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA).
The Papariko Project is restoring 1,500 hectares of mangroves along Kenya’s coast, with 260 hectares already completed in partnership with over 300 local community members. A defining feature of the project is that 40% of carbon revenues are shared directly with local communities, supporting initiatives such as table banking, community halls, eco-tourism development and alternative livelihoods.
Recognised as Verra’s first certified blue carbon project in Kenya, and the first worldwide to achieve all three Verra standards (VCS, CCB and SDVista), Papariko is setting a new benchmark for high-integrity carbon credits and sustainable blue carbon solutions. This conversation highlights how blue carbon projects in Africa can deliver both environmental and socio-economic benefits, while attracting the investment needed to close the global nature finance gap.
