Rai Matak is a community-led, national carbon farming and community forestry program in Timor-Leste.

We’re partnering with smallholder farmers to create a better future for people and the planet.

Rai Matak partners with smallholder farming communities to grow and manage forest trees on their own land. Carbon captured by the trees is then sold via carbon credits across the international voluntary carbon market. Rai Matak farmers are not beneficiaries of climate solutions but essential partners in designing them.

Led by Timorese people, Rai Matak creates far-reaching benefits in Timor-Leste and beyond. Farmers gain the practical skills and support to establish agroforestry systems on their own land, earn a reliable income for stewarding their trees, and build greener village economies that strengthen community resilience. International partners can address their carbon footprint while contributing to climate justice by investing in a high-integrity initiative that places farmers, local leadership and long-term community benefit at its centre.

Growing our impact from strong roots

Rai Matak builds on the work of the WithOneSeed model established more than 17 years ago by xpand Foundation and the community of Baguia – the first internationally certified carbon farming program under the Gold Standard afforestation/reforestation standard in Timor-Leste.

The WithOneSeed model is dedicated to strengthening the resilience of subsistence communities on the frontlines of climate change. It centres on regenerative thinking and practices, economic opportunities linked to nature-based solutions, and universal education that values diverse forms of knowledge, including cultural and customary knowledge. It also builds regional and international partnerships that connects communities, shares learning and support community led change.

Breaking the cycle

Many subsistence farmers in Timor-Leste live on less than $1 a day.

Rai Matak helps farmers turn climate action into a reliable source of income. Tree nurseries and farmer cooperatives are established in remote villages, while subsistence farmers receive annual payments to plant and care for trees on their own land. This creates lasting livelihood opportunities and helps break the cycle of poverty, land degradation and tree loss.

Environmental, economic and social justice

We plant more than trees.

Rai Matak plants the foundations for stronger village economies, local innovation and lasting opportunity. Alongside removing carbon from the atmosphere, its agroforestry systems improve soil and water quality, support more productive crops, and strengthen community nutrition and wellbeing. Annual incentive payments can potentially double a subsistence-farming family’s income, giving people greater independence and choice while supporting local enterprise, education, training and wider participation in village life.

Achievements so far:

3,180 subsistence farmers

planting and maintaining trees

748,079 native and naturaised trees planted

(32 Tree Species)

to address deforestation

0 tonnes of carbon captured

to help shape a healthier planet for all

US $365,000+ paid directly to farmers

increasing economic wellbeing and activity

0 carbon credits sold

internationally to companies driving toward carbon neutrality

16 of 65 Administrative Regions across Timor-Leste

participating in the program

102 jobs created

to boost economic participation

10 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

directly addressed

Seeding the future

The Rai Matak program is expanding the WithOneSeed model across Timor-Leste with a goal to partner with 20,000 rural farmers to grow 10 million trees, to sequester 17 million tonnes of CO2e

TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES