Restoring degraded mangroves in North Sumatra and Aceh
The Ibu Bakau project restores 870 hectares of degraded mangrove ecosystems across North Sumatra and Aceh provinces.
Planting ran from 2020 to 2023. Developed by VNV Advisory, with Vlinder among its first crucial financing partners, the project combines large-scale mangrove restoration with community participation, long-term ecosystem protection and sustainable livelihood development.
In validation under Gold Standard
The Ibu Bakau project is going through validation under the Gold Standard, an internationally recognised carbon standard focused on verified climate impact and sustainable development benefits.
The project follows Gold Standard requirements for carbon accounting, monitoring and independent verification, providing a framework to quantify and verify the climate impact of mangrove restoration while also tracking broader environmental and community outcomes.
Project ID · GS 23213 on the Gold Standard registry →
Restoration that creates local livelihoods
Community participation is central to the Ibu Bakau approach. Local communities are involved in mangrove restoration and long-term conservation while also gaining access to new livelihood opportunities designed to reduce pressure on coastal ecosystems.
The project supports income-generating activities, vocational training and community-led enterprises, including silvo-fisheries, mangrove-based food products and traditional batik made with natural mangrove dyes. Women’s groups play a particularly important role: across the wider Ibu Bakau programme, seven women’s collectives involving 104 members have established mangrove-based enterprises.
Project documents
Public-facing documents for the Ibu Bakau project.
Project documentation on the Gold Standard registry View documentation on Gold StandardWant to learn more, buy credits, or back the project?
Get in touch with the project team.