How can carbon finance do more to strengthen rural livelihoods and empower the communities on the frontlines of climate change? Social Impact Pioneers - Anna Kilpatrick, from PUR, Ann Vaughan & Lilian Gwazayo of CARE, and Olaf Westermann, from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) explore this critical question.
The conversation, in turn, hears from people implementing carbon finance programmes with a focus on deepening livelihood benefits in countries from around the world, including Mr. Matola Sigele in Malawi; Karimi in Cambodia; Emmanuel and Joshua in Uganda.
Together, they unpack how nature-based solutions, carbon markets, and community-led restoration can deliver climate impact rooted in equity and sustainability. The conversation dives into payment for ecosystem services, carbon equity, and the importance of long-term investment in communities that steward forests and farmlands.
You will hear how carbon projects are reshaping livelihoods—improving food security, empowering women, and restoring degraded landscapes. And also some of the challenges - in making these programmes work - whether land rights, short-term rewards, or understandable skepticism.
This episode offers practical insights for businesses, investors, and NGOs seeking to align carbon finance integrity with inclusive development.
Listen now to explore how climate finance can be a cornerstone of sustainable livelihoods—not just a co-benefit.
This conversation is hosted by Yvette Torres-Rahman, co-founder of Business Fights Poverty.
Social Impact Pioneers:
- Anna Kilpatrick, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at PUR, whose agroforestry projects help global companies decarbonize agricultural supply chains while improving smallholder incomes.
- Ann Vaughan, Associate Vice President for Resilient Futures at CARE, leading work to unlock climate finance that reaches 25 million people, especially women and girls.
- Olaf Westermann, Senior Technical Advisor on Climate Change and Agriculture at CRS, connecting conservation, livelihoods, and equity in nature-based carbon projects worldwide.
- Lilian Gwazayo, Field Advisor, & Environmental Scientist, CARE, Malawi.
Links:
Redd+ Projects: https://unfccc.int/topics/land-use/workstreams/redd/what-is-redd
PUR: https://www.pur.co/
Catholic Relief Services: https://www.crs.org/
Care: Malawi We Staan Nog Steeds: https://www.carenederland.org/verhaal/malawi-we-staan-nog-steeds
Care: Malawi: Herstel van groene vegetatie draagt bij aan duurzame toekomst
https://www.carenederland.org/nieuws/malawi-het-herstellen-van-groene-vegetatie
CARE Malawi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-international-in-malawi/posts/?feedView=all
CARE Nederland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-nederland/posts/?feedView=all
Restore Africa: https://www.evergreening.org/restoreafrica/
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with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
How can carbon finance do more to strengthen rural livelihoods and empower the communities on the frontlines of climate change? Social Impact Pioneers - Anna Kilpatrick, from PUR, Ann Vaughan & Lilian Gwazayo of CARE, and Olaf Westermann, from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) explore this critical question.
The conversation, in turn, hears from people implementing carbon finance programmes with a focus on deepening livelihood benefits in countries from around the world, including Mr. Matola Sigele in Malawi; Karimi in Cambodia; Emmanuel and Joshua in Uganda.
Together, they unpack how nature-based solutions, carbon markets, and community-led restoration can deliver climate impact rooted in equity and sustainability. The conversation dives into payment for ecosystem services, carbon equity, and the importance of long-term investment in communities that steward forests and farmlands.
You will hear how carbon projects are reshaping livelihoods—improving food security, empowering women, and restoring degraded landscapes. And also some of the challenges - in making these programmes work - whether land rights, short-term rewards, or understandable skepticism.
This episode offers practical insights for businesses, investors, and NGOs seeking to align carbon finance integrity with inclusive development.
Listen now to explore how climate finance can be a cornerstone of sustainable livelihoods—not just a co-benefit.
This conversation is hosted by Yvette Torres-Rahman, co-founder of Business Fights Poverty.
Social Impact Pioneers:
- Anna Kilpatrick, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at PUR, whose agroforestry projects help global companies decarbonize agricultural supply chains while improving smallholder incomes.
- Ann Vaughan, Associate Vice President for Resilient Futures at CARE, leading work to unlock climate finance that reaches 25 million people, especially women and girls.
- Olaf Westermann, Senior Technical Advisor on Climate Change and Agriculture at CRS, connecting conservation, livelihoods, and equity in nature-based carbon projects worldwide.
- Lilian Gwazayo, Field Advisor, & Environmental Scientist, CARE, Malawi.
Links:
Redd+ Projects: https://unfccc.int/topics/land-use/workstreams/redd/what-is-redd
PUR: https://www.pur.co/
Catholic Relief Services: https://www.crs.org/
Care: Malawi We Staan Nog Steeds: https://www.carenederland.org/verhaal/malawi-we-staan-nog-steeds
Care: Malawi: Herstel van groene vegetatie draagt bij aan duurzame toekomst
https://www.carenederland.org/nieuws/malawi-het-herstellen-van-groene-vegetatie
CARE Malawi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-international-in-malawi/posts/?feedView=all
CARE Nederland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-nederland/posts/?feedView=all
Restore Africa: https://www.evergreening.org/restoreafrica/
Overcoming Poverty: Driving Workforce Development & Economic Empowerment, with Megan & Scott
Social Impact Pioneers
33 minutes 2 seconds
9 months ago
Overcoming Poverty: Driving Workforce Development & Economic Empowerment, with Megan & Scott
Work should be the most reliable path out of poverty. But for many, low wages, job insecurity, bureaucratic red tape, and the benefits cliff create barriers to financial stability. Social Impact Pioneers Megan Spurgeon and Scott C. Miller are transforming economic empowerment by revolutionising workforce development and breaking systemic cycles of poverty in the U.S
Megan Spurgeon is the Director of Empower Upper Cumberland, a collective impact initiative dedicated to creating sustainable workforce and human services solutions in Tennessee. With a strong background in higher education, workforce development, and community action, Megan is a key player in aligning economic, social, and workforce initiatives for lasting change.
Scott C. Miller, founder of Circles USA and president of The Poverty Solution, has been a national leader in poverty alleviation for over 40 years. He has helped communities raise over $200 million to support families in achieving long-term economic independence. His groundbreaking Poverty Alleviation System (PAS) - germinated from collaborations with the Walmart Foundation and Keurig — is a comprehensive framework that supports individuals in fully escaping poverty and contributes to reducing poverty rates at scale.is replacing outdated poverty management models with innovative, results-driven solutions.
During this podcast conversation Megan and Scott explore:
✔️ The Shift from Poverty Management to True Poverty Alleviation – Why current systems fail and how to implement real change.
✔️ Collaboration for Impact – How businesses, nonprofits, and policymakers must work together for sustainable results.
✔️ Breaking the Cycle of Poverty – The biggest challenges and innovative solutions shaping the future.
✔️ The Role of Employers & Policy in Economic Empowerment – How businesses can support workforce development and retain talent.
So whether you are working to address poverty, curious about the programmes supporting workforce development or simply in need of some positivity – Megan and Scott are your people.
Links:
• Scott Miller - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcmillerprofile/
• Megan Spurgeon - www.linkedin.com/in/megankellyspurgeon
• The Poverty Solution: https://www.thepovertysolution.com/
• Empower UC - https://empoweruppercumberland.org/
• Annual Report - https://empoweruppercumberland.org/news-and-events/prosperity-press/
• TANF Opportunity Act - https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/tanf-opportunity-act.html
• UCHRA - https://uchra.org/
Social Impact Pioneers
How can carbon finance do more to strengthen rural livelihoods and empower the communities on the frontlines of climate change? Social Impact Pioneers - Anna Kilpatrick, from PUR, Ann Vaughan & Lilian Gwazayo of CARE, and Olaf Westermann, from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) explore this critical question.
The conversation, in turn, hears from people implementing carbon finance programmes with a focus on deepening livelihood benefits in countries from around the world, including Mr. Matola Sigele in Malawi; Karimi in Cambodia; Emmanuel and Joshua in Uganda.
Together, they unpack how nature-based solutions, carbon markets, and community-led restoration can deliver climate impact rooted in equity and sustainability. The conversation dives into payment for ecosystem services, carbon equity, and the importance of long-term investment in communities that steward forests and farmlands.
You will hear how carbon projects are reshaping livelihoods—improving food security, empowering women, and restoring degraded landscapes. And also some of the challenges - in making these programmes work - whether land rights, short-term rewards, or understandable skepticism.
This episode offers practical insights for businesses, investors, and NGOs seeking to align carbon finance integrity with inclusive development.
Listen now to explore how climate finance can be a cornerstone of sustainable livelihoods—not just a co-benefit.
This conversation is hosted by Yvette Torres-Rahman, co-founder of Business Fights Poverty.
Social Impact Pioneers:
- Anna Kilpatrick, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at PUR, whose agroforestry projects help global companies decarbonize agricultural supply chains while improving smallholder incomes.
- Ann Vaughan, Associate Vice President for Resilient Futures at CARE, leading work to unlock climate finance that reaches 25 million people, especially women and girls.
- Olaf Westermann, Senior Technical Advisor on Climate Change and Agriculture at CRS, connecting conservation, livelihoods, and equity in nature-based carbon projects worldwide.
- Lilian Gwazayo, Field Advisor, & Environmental Scientist, CARE, Malawi.
Links:
Redd+ Projects: https://unfccc.int/topics/land-use/workstreams/redd/what-is-redd
PUR: https://www.pur.co/
Catholic Relief Services: https://www.crs.org/
Care: Malawi We Staan Nog Steeds: https://www.carenederland.org/verhaal/malawi-we-staan-nog-steeds
Care: Malawi: Herstel van groene vegetatie draagt bij aan duurzame toekomst
https://www.carenederland.org/nieuws/malawi-het-herstellen-van-groene-vegetatie
CARE Malawi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-international-in-malawi/posts/?feedView=all
CARE Nederland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-nederland/posts/?feedView=all
Restore Africa: https://www.evergreening.org/restoreafrica/
