National | PANORAMA

Youth Volunteer Engagement Model

What it is: Mobilization of students and local youth (e.g., “Green Volunteers”) for tree planting, maintenance, and awareness-building.
Why it matters: Builds long-term stewardship and community ownership of restored areas.
Transferability: Can be replicated for climate education, waste management, or community energy projects.

Enabling Conditions:

Strong partnerships with schools, universities, and youth NGOs.
Training and safety guidelines for fieldwork.
Incentive structures (certificates, recognition, or small stipends).
Community support to integrate youth efforts into broader reforestation projects.

National

Blockchain-Verified Tree Registry & Certificates

What it is: Each planted tree is assigned a digital ID and certificate stored on blockchain.
Why it matters: Builds trust with funders, companies, and individuals by proving tree ownership and survival.
Transferability: Applicable to carbon markets, biodiversity credits, or ecosystem services accounting.

Enabling Conditions:

A functioning blockchain environment and smart contract platform.
Partnerships with IT developers and registry operators.
Clear project metadata (species, GPS coordinates, planting date).
Stakeholder willingness to adopt digital certification instead of traditional paperwork.

National

Digital MRV (Measurement–Reporting–Verification) System

What it is: AI-powered monitoring platform combining drones, satellite imagery, and blockchain verification.
Why it matters: Ensures transparency, traceability, and credibility of every planted tree.
Transferability: Can be adapted to monitor other nature-based solutions (wetlands, grasslands, mangroves, etc.).

Purpose:
To ensure that every tree planted is measurable, reportable, and verifiable in a transparent way. It solves the credibility gap in reforestation projects, where funders often cannot confirm survival or carbon impact.

How it works:
Treelings deploys drones and satellites to capture high-resolution imagery. AI algorithms detect tree survival, growth, and canopy cover. These data points are stored and shared through a user dashboard. The system reduces manual error, provides near-real-time monitoring, and can be adapted to other ecosystems.

Enabling Conditions:

Reliable internet and cloud infrastructure for data transfer and storage.
Access to drones, satellite imagery, and AI/remote sensing expertise.
Technical capacity for system calibration and algorithm training.
Open collaboration with local authorities for field data validation.

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Technology and innovation to create digital platforms that are accessible and tailored to local needs

The image shows campaign participants at the beach, in Koh Tao, with boats in the background. They are holding a sign of the campaign.

Koh Tao, Better Together and Krungthai Bank

Krungthai Bank

Krungthai Bank (KTB), a key partner in the "Koh Tao Better Together" crowdfunding campaign, developed an easy-to-use electronic donation platform integrated with the Thai tax system. The bank's innovation lab offered to create the e-donation platform. Through a QR code, Thai citizens were able to donate to the account "Raks Thai Foundation, UNDP and Krungthai Love Koh Tao" in a quick, transparent, and verifiable way. The platform allows Thai donors to automatically send their donation information to the Revenue Department for tax deduction. Moreover, UNDP designed another e-donation platform for international donors.

KTB acted as the initial donor of the campaign, contributing 30% of the fundraising target. Furthermore, the bank committed to covering the remaining donations if the target was not met, which proved unnecessary thanks to the success of the e-donation platform.

Additionally, KTB trained boat drivers on how to access the bank's existing digital financial services. These include Krungthai NEXT — an e-banking app with multiple functionalities for directly managing personal finances —, and Krungthai Connext — a free notification system via the LINE messaging app that provides real-time updates on financial transactions.

The key enabling factor is the establishment of effective public-private partnerships to leverage the expertise of each stakeholder in addressing a common issue. By uniting BIOFIN's financial expertise, KTB's innovation, Raks Thai Foundation's experience in engaging local communities, and the government's role in overseeing financial services, it was possible to develop and disseminate an appropriate e-donation platform.

Another relevant condition is effective communication strategies to increase public awareness of, and access to, the e-donation platform.

It is imperative to promote multisector engagement in order to solve today's pressing issues. In a scenario that global and local challenges are multidisciplinary by nature — from financial constraints amid a global health crisis to biodiversity degradation associated with tourism —, working across silos enables to effectively and quickly address the many components of an issue, catalyze positive outcomes, and increase support to the solution.

Moreover, it is crucial to develop solutions that reflect recent advancements in innovation and digitalization. When well-designed, digital tools have the potential to exponentially increase the number of impacted individuals (i.e., surpassing the fundraising target) and simplify processes (i.e., connecting the e-donation platform with the tax system). Equal importance must be given to the training of locals on these digital tools, enabling just and equitable access.

"Koh Tao Better Together" page on Krungthai Bank's website.

Data-driven and evidence-based design for effective crowdfunding strategies

UNDP Thailand conducted a socio-economic impact assessment of Covid-19 on Koh Tao's tourism sector. Using pre-pandemic data and information from locals, the study concluded that small tourist boat drivers are amongst the most affected and most vulnerable segment of the population due to the complete dependence on tourism. The study also found an estimated minimum living cost of USD 500 (THB 15,000) for individual households on Koh Tao and that 90% of them received almost no income since the beginning of the pandemic. The study served as the foundation for the campaign and enabled the estimation of a baseline, making sure that the solution addresses the most vulnerable groups and provides an income that can, at least, alleviate sustenance needs. The campaign was also designed with support from UNDP's Crowdfunding Academy, with expertise in this area.

Enabling conditions include the availability of socioeconomic data prior to the event (in this case, the Covid-19 pandemic) or the ability to collect data from relevant stakeholders before designing the crowdfunding campaign. Another enabling condition is having the technical capacity or necessary support to translate existing data and studies into the design of a project/program.

The importance of designing programs and projects based on data and well-conducted studies, ensuring that the project effectively meets the needs of participants. Beyond supporting the design of the crowdfunding campaign, the impact assessment of Covid-19 on Koh Tao revealed how, on the one hand, local livelihoods became vulnerable without tourism and, on the other hand, the pause in visitor activity allowed nature to recover. Therefore, the crowdfunding campaign — and the Covid-19 impact assessment — were the entry point for rethinking a more sustainable future for tourism on the island. These efforts led to the establishment of tourism fees as of April 2022, generating revenues to fund biodiversity conservation.

Hybrid sailing catamaran integrating renewable energy for sustainable nautical tourism

catamaran Mundo Marino

free

The Mundo Marino ECO catamaran demonstrates how hybrid propulsion (sail + electric engines), combined with solar panels and hydrogenerators, can significantly reduce emissions in passenger transport and tourism activities. This building block showcases the integration of renewable technologies into a large-capacity (250 pax) vessel, allowing silent navigation, lower fuel dependency, and direct education of tourists on sustainability. It provides a replicable model for coastal operators seeking to align maritime tourism with decarbonisation and marine conservation goals.

Access to advanced hybrid propulsion technology (Torqeedo Deep Blue).
Regulatory frameworks encouraging low-emission vessels.
Collaboration with ports providing infrastructure for hybrid/electric operations.
Market demand for sustainable tourism experiences.

Hybrid systems require significant initial investment; financial incentives and partnerships are essential.
Crew training on renewable systems is critical for smooth operation and passenger engagement.
Public communication (e.g., Blue Flag certification, onboard environmental education) increases acceptance and replicability.
Maintenance of battery systems and renewable modules requires new skills not always present in traditional shipyards.

Implementation

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

National

https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/mundo-marino-eco-hybrid-sailing-catamara…

Catalyzing Additional Resources via Social Engagement and Champions: the Tamaraw Society

To support the crowdfunding campaign, the Philippine Parks and Biodiversity launched the Tamaraw Society initiative in July 2020.

The Philippine Parks and Biodiversity is a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to conserving the country's biodiversity through multistakeholder partnerships, ranging from grassroot communities to the private sector.

The Tamaraw Society consisted of a group of organizations and individuals, mostly from younger generations, who committed to running their own fundraising activities to support the crowdfunding campaign with at least USD 400 each (PHP 20,000 at the time). The 19 participants, referred to as champions, collectively raised USD 7,789 (PHP 389,450). They conducted activities such as online raffles of film cameras, online selling of secondhand clothes, auction of digital artworks, and merchandise sales such as tamaraw tote bags and shirts.

A key enabling factor was the pre-existing expertise of the Philippine Parks and Biodiversity in running champion-based initiatives. The NGO had previously called for private sector and individual champions to support its programs as a creative financing method, which helped the implementation and success of the Tamaraw Society initiative.

A key lesson learned is that creative financing solutions can complement broader strategies, such as crowdfunding, by actively engaging civil society around a shared cause.

Press release about the Tamaraw Society campaign

Use of traditional and social media as marketing instruments to accelerate awareness rais-ing and resource mobilization

https://www.undp.org/philippines/press-releases/togetherfortamaraws-campaign-launched-help-tamaraw-rangers-and-wardens

BIOFIN Phillipines, UNDP

The crowdfunding campaign maintained a strong presence on traditional and social media. Daily posts were tailored to strengthen the business case for donations, highlighting key events such as the Tamaraw Month, the death of the last captive-bred tamaraw, Kalibasib, and a tamaraw killed by poachers. By leveraging a mix of media platforms, the campaign reached both national and international audiences and engaged diverse age groups.

Social media posts were reposted and shared by BIOFIN Global and Philippines, UNDP Philippines, and various accounts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Moreover, a national Tamaraw Ambassadors program was launched on social media, engaging public figures to promote the campaign. These communication strategies effectively reached the general public within and beyond the Philippines.

Traditional media also supported the campaign, with coverage from reputable news networks like Stand for Truth and GMA Digital Specials.

Lastly, a promotion email was sent to over 2,000 individuals through the BIOFIN global mailing list, targeting a specialized audience of professionals and partners in the biodiversity sector.

A key enabling factor was the established presence and reputation of UNDP in the Philippines, along with its partnership with relevant actors such as the DENR. This contributed to the rapid promotion of the campaign across social media, quick engagement of public figures, and the public's trust in the initiative. The donation of USD 4,400 from Congresswomen Josephine Ramirez Sato to kick start the campaign, being the highest contribution, was important for the momentum of the campaign.

A key lesson learned is that an effective marketing campaign should leverage multiple media platforms and tailor its messages to engage diverse audiences. While the Tamaraw Ambassadors program likely helped reach younger audiences and social media users, the campaign advertisements in printed media may have been more effective with older audiences.

The main challenge in the marketing strategy was the inability to produce new on-site photos and videos, given travel restrictions and budget constraints for hiring specialized personnel. This was addressed by creatively using existing materials, such as video clips from the 2019 documentary film Suwag o Suko and photos from the 2018 Biodiversity Camp—an initiative from UNDP-BIOFIN and the TCP that gathered journalists and influencers in the natural habitat of tamaraws to raise awareness about the need to mobilize funds for their protection.

Together for Tamaraws Call for Donations

Video from the Tamaraw Ambassador Gab Mejia on social media

GMA Public Affairs video posted on social media

2018 Biodiversity Camp on PANORAMA Solutions