Advertorial: Ethical Investments

At Ethical Investments (Ltd) we passionately believe that those who wish to gain financially from the stockmarket should also seek to ensure that the values they hold in their own lives are reflected in the actions of the companies in which they invest

Put your money to work, invest in The Cochabamba Project and help support land management and social development in the Cochabamba region of the Bolivian Amazon. Ethical Investments is all about putting capital to work, helping people and planet, doing good and earning a tidy return.

The Cochabamba Project offers real social and environmental benefits to poor communities along the western fringes of the Amazon rainforest.

Here, impoverished migrant communities cause alarming rates of deforestation through slash and burn farming - the only way they know of clearing sufficient land to grow the crops they need to survive. Unfortunately, this technique depletes the soil, which their traditional crops deplete further still, leaving no option but to repeat the process.

The society has formed a unique partnership with 978 subsistence farmers and is working with them to bring immediate and long-term benefits for their families and children for generations to come.

Firstly, the society’s funds pay for each participating smallholder to be assigned a professional agronomist to design a comprehensive land management plan, covering their entire smallholding, on average 20 – 25 hectares.

Farmers are introduced to Permaculture techniques to help retain and improve soil fertility and grow cash crops such as citrus fruits, peanuts and beans too. Each farmer can expect to increase their yields and with it their family’s income. It also means their labour is less intense and the need to slash and burn is much reduced.

Each smallholder also designates an area for commercial forestry, planting and maintaining a choice of 18 different native tree species – full growth cycles of 12-35 years. Separate areas are also designated for conservation and repair.
Profits are split 50-50 between smallholders and the members.
The project is run on co-operative principles. Whilst the society is allowed to award interest on its shares to help attract and retain the capital it needs to achieve its aims, any surplus profits it generates must be used for the benefit of the community as laid down in its rules.

The Cochabamba Project offers, long term prospects and benefits for the smallholders and their children as well as reducing deforestation and improving biodiversity.
Since March 2009 the society has raised £1.5m from almost 300 individual members. The minimum investment is £1,000, which can be paid in instalments or by a group. Interest for the year to 31st October 2010 was 7.5%, which is rolled up until shares are withdrawn. The society also offers a loan stock option for those who require income or prefer a fixed rate of interest. The current share offer ends on 31st December, though there is an "early bird" incentive for those applying before 31st October.

Further details and the full prospectus are available at www.cochabamba.coop