Today, I’m joined by Jamie Lawrence, Co-Founder of Xilva. In this conversation, Jamie describes the project evaluation process taken by Xilva, which evaluates nature-based solutions projects for numerous capital providers, from investors to corporates and donors. Jamie describes the six categories of Xilva’s Due Diligence Framework and explains the reasoning for interconnecting these in an assessment. After evaluating more than 300 projects, he explains the three common mistakes project developers make when preparing for funding. He also stresses the merits of the promising projects that cross the Xilva desk. We talk more about the importance of a good strategy on the side of the capital provider to prevent a project from stalling due to misalignment in internal processes.
Assets like forestry are perhaps one of society’s most undervalued assets. We will value those forests for specific assets like timber when they are providing so much more. They could be in a water catchment area, they provide the very air that we breathe, biodiversity, culture, it is a given.
Favourite tree: Cork tree (Quercus suber)
Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink
Producer and editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives
01:13
Background of Xilva & Jamie
03:19
Silva;s services in nature-based solutions space
05:09
Profiles of clients - capital providers
06:49
How do you find projects?
08:06
Screening strategy for projects
10:27
Due diligence to support clients - six categories of framework
16:24
Clients bring own criteria
17:50
External collaborations or expertise, leverage global assets
20:44
Types of projects
21:52
What makes a strong project - and which issues exist in practice/ignored factors
24:50
Communication on the ground, challenges, & risk management
30:11
Strengths in projects, makes projects shine
32:27
Reasons for projects getting stuck
37:14
Effect of voluntary and carbon markets on supply and demand of nature-based solutions. Difference in perceptions in different markets (Global North/Global South)
41:59
Next for Silva
44:43
Actionable advice
47:08
Contact details
Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud
Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud
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