Martin Schachner, Advisor for Climate Action

Photo: Luis Hinojosa (FEPP) and Martin Schachner (horizont3000)

The advisory is carried out in cooperation with Jugend Eine Welt.

Preserving the natural livelihoods of Kichwa-families in the Amazon and the Andean Highlands and reforesting degraded areas in the provinces of Napo and Chimborazo. JUGEND EINE WELT, together with FEPP, has developed this project to preserve the indigenous culture, their traditional land use systems and the forest habitats for the future.

Directly involved are 50 people (20 female and 30 male), indirectly involved 400 people (200 female and 200 male).

Martin Schachner is an agricultural economist and has been working for almost 20 years in international development cooperation in the field of rural development and protection of natural resources. He spent a large part of this time in Ecuador, where he worked with indigenous peoples and smallholder organizations in the Andes as well as in the Amazon and Pacific lowlands. Most recently, Martin worked for the German Development Cooperation – GIZ in Bonn as an advisor on sustainable agriculture.

• The advisory assignment focuses on CO2 compensation in Ecuador, supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation measures while promoting income generation for indigenous Kichwa families in the Amazon and Andean Highlands. Conducted in cooperation with Jugend Eine Welt, the assignment strengthens the sustainable management of natural resources and enhances access to climate finance. The initiative directly involves 50 individuals (20 female, 30 male) and indirectly benefits 400 people (200 female, 200 male).
• The advisor plays a key role in capacity-building within FEPP and fostering networks with climate stakeholders, including government institutions, local authorities, and international organizations. The assignment strengthens the regional office of FEPP in Riobamba and the governance structures of the Kichwa Rukullakta people in Napo, ensuring effective coordination and implementation of conservation initiatives.
• Key achievements include the development of two forest protection and reforestation projects in Kichwa territories in the Amazon and Andean regions, in collaboration with FEPP’s planning department and regional offices. A feasibility study for two certifiable climate protection projects in Rukullakta and Cebadas has been conducted, laying the groundwork for future climate finance opportunities. Additionally, several climate finance applications and environmental project proposals have been prepared and submitted to funding institutions in Austria and Germany, including the Ministry of Climate Protection and Environment and the International Climate Initiative.
• Through these efforts, the assignment strengthens indigenous land-use systems, enhances forest conservation, and supports long-term climate resilience in Ecuador.
• SDG targets: 13.2; 15.1; 15.2; 17.9