The validation audit in Samana took place from 27 July to 4 August, without any logistical problems and avoiding the increasingly frequent rain showers during this period. It had to be postponed from mid-June to the end of July due to Schneider Electric’s acquisition of EcoAct: Verra had requested changes to the project documents before opening the public consultation period prior to any audit (here are the documents: https://registry.verra.org/app/projectDetail/VCS/4870)
The mission involved 14 people:
- The two auditors from Earthood and their interpreter
- The two consultants from our partner EcoAct
- The Executive Director of GUIDRE and his right-hand man
- The director of arboRise
- Two drivers
- The GUIDRE field team consisting of four supervisors and one forester
Nepolion and Manish, the two auditors from Earthood, visited 15 randomly selected plots in seven villages and interviewed more than 30 people: plot families, seed families, village chief, CGC, president of women’s groups, youth representatives, imam, etc.
Interviews in the villages of Ballacondedou, Kamandou, Sogboro et Sokourala:
The field visits raised few questions: the baseline was deemed acceptable and the growth of the young shoots (sown in 2024) plausible. However, the sometimes implausible responses of those interviewed sparked more discussion. Some beneficiaries, so overwhelmed by this unfamiliar situation, literally panicked as if they were taking an exam. Others had not yet internalised all aspects of the project, which is perfectly normal since we have only been in Samana for 18 months. These hesitant responses may generate as many ‘findings’ on the part of the auditors, but this is the human aspect of any community project.
On a plot of land in Farawanidou with the owner, the GUIDRE team and Margarita from EcoAct:
