2024 Year in Review: Strengthening Livelihoods, Restoring Landscapes & Advancing Cultural Arts

In Madagascar the new year is a time of feasting, community, and gratitude. On behalf of all on our team at Conservation through Poverty Alleviation International (CPALI) and our sister artisans and farmers behind the Tanana Madagascar social enterprise, we want to say how grateful we are for our circle of friends and supporters. Together this year, we've helped strengthen livelihoods, restore nature, support local innovation, and advance traditional arts and culture for future generations. There's much to celebrate!

Nature Conservation

A leader of CPALI's sister team in Madagascar overlooks forest-bordering rice paddies in one of the focal communities in our farmer-led agroforestry initiative. Farmers receive training in native host tree planting and wild silk production. Using CPALI's fly-free method, rare moths complete their lifecycles after farmers collect their silk. This helps subsistence farming families earn valuable income while advancing conservation. (Image credit: Mamy Ratsimbazafy)

In 2024 CPALI launched 2 collaborative initiatives--a new farmer-led agroforestry program and an invasive plant-fueled biochar program. Under these, 8,000 seedlings were planted in biodegradable pots in two village-based tree nurseries, with plans to plant an additional 32,000 seedlings in 2025. Biochar stoves were iterated that run on invasive plants instead of forest-depleting firewood and charcoal, and minimize smoke inhalation by design. Our local sister team collaborated with 30 farmers and delivered training in agroforestry and biochar production to 16 village-based leaders.

Poverty Alleviation

Traditionally inspired textiles made from wild silk and raffia (many using locally produced natural dyes) can support fair employment in one of the world's ten poorest countries. This is an especially important income opportunity for women with school-aged children. (Image credit: Lalaina Raharindimby)

This year CPALI helped 18 local artisans and staff, of whom 10 are single mothers, earn a fair income. Three artisans had a child complete secondary education in the past year–an impressive accomplishment in remote regions of Madagascar and an important step toward generational poverty alleviation. Farmer earnings from wild silk and raffia harvests were sufficient to pay school fees for an estimated 370 children.

Arts & Culture

Skilled local artisans work with CPALI's nature-based social enterprise to co-design traditionally inspired woven and non-woven textiles for exhibition and sale. These works of art are Fair Trade and Certified Wildlife Friendly and help elevate Malagasy arts and culture with global audiences. (Image credit: Tananasilk.com)

This year under our nature-based social enterprise, Tanana Madagascar (tananasilk.com), 2,900 locally produced Fair Trade & Certified Wildlife Friendly items were sold to national and global buyers. Our artisans’ textiles were exhibited at 3 shows and 1 gallery in the United States, including the 2024 Future Fabrics Expo in New York City, alongside other exciting emerging sustainable materials.

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