Partners
Partnerships with mission-driven organizations and institutions fuel the Company's growth while providing value throughout the chain of stakeholders.
KEYSTONE PARTNERS
LAND DEGRADATION NEUTRALITY FUND
The Land Degradation Neutrality Fund (LDN) is an impact investment fund created to invest in projects that reduce or reverse land degradation. Initiated by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Mirova, LDN seeks to be a source of transformative capital bringing together public and private investors to support triple bottom line projects that contribute to land degradation neutrality, a major global challenge that was officially designated as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Fund provides patient long-term finance and technical assistance for land use transformation, shifting the trend from land degradation and unsustainable land use to land rehabilitation and sustainable land use.
CENIARTH
Ceniarth is a principal investment firm specializing in investments in companies that benefit underserved communities. Ceniarth was founded in 2013 and is based in the United Kingdom. Their program work is global and aims to address underserved communities in developing markets, as well as low-income communities in more developed economies.
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTERS
INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group and was created to advance economic development by investing in strictly for-profit and commercial projects that aim to reduce poverty and promote development. The World Bank has played a major role in Bhutan’s development for 35 years, while the IFC has been active during the past decade.
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution whose mission is to help its developing member countries reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of their people. Since its activities began in Bhutan in 1982, the ADB has become one of the leading sources of development support, extending various programs in the areas of energy, transport, finance, and urban development.
GLOBAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM
The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) is a multilateral mechanism to assist in the implementation of pledges made by the G20 which aim to improve income and food security in low-income countries through boosting agricultural productivity. GAFSP addresses the underfunding of certain agricultural regions and supports strategic investments in food security under development by partner countries.
MOSAICO MANAGEMENT
Mosaico Management invests at the intersection of human activity and natural capital, through thoughtful fundamental research and active portfolio management.
RESPONSABILITY INVESTMENTS
responsAbility, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, provides debt and equity financing predominantly to non-listed firms in emerging and developing economies. Since the Company's inception in 2003, responsAbility-managed funds have disbursed USD 10 billion in private debt and private equity to companies in the financial inclusion, sustainable food, and climate finance sectors whose business models directly support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
RS GROUP
RS Group is a Hong Kong-based family office with a mission to create a paradigm shift in societal values and priorities so that economic growth does not jeopardize human development and environmental sustainability. Through their investments, the RS Group seeks to shape a compassionate society that desires a better world for future generations, while protecting “the commons” upon which all life on Earth depends.
MULAGO FOUNDATION
Mulago funds high-performance organizations that tackle the basic needs of the very poor. Mulago focuses on health, poverty, agriculture, and conservation in the world’s poorest places. Mulago invests in big ideas, focused on maximum social impact and scalability.
SMALL GIANTS
Small Giants B Corp is an impact investment firm, storytelling platform, and educational institution focused on catalyzing systemic environmental and social change.
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
The Government of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs funded a $1.3 million technical assistance grant to enable Mountain Hazelnuts to enhance climate-resilience throughout the hazelnut value chain. The program included seven modules that supported research into the key issues affecting Bhutan’s hazelnut planting environment, development and implementation of solutions, followed by training of stakeholders. The grant was administered by the Asian Development Bank and implemented by Helvetas, the Swiss development agency.
GOVERNMENT OF SWEDEN
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) funded a $200,000 technical assistance grant to enable Mountain Hazelnuts to enhance inclusiveness amongst stakeholders in the hazelnut value chain, with a special focus on women and entrepreneurs. The grant was administered by the Asian Development Bank and implemented by Helvetas.
BUSINESS CALL TO ACTION
Business Call to Action (BCtA) selected Mountain Hazelnuts as one of its distinguished partners. BCtA is a global initiative that aims to support private-sector efforts to develop inclusive business models that offer the potential for both commercial success and development impact. It is supported by several international organizations and hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Mountain Hazelnuts has developed a close collaboration with Stanford University, particularly with the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). To date, 20 experienced Stanford GSB professionals have served as consultants to Mountain Hazelnuts in Bhutan. These professionals have contributed their knowledge and energy to projects from improving IT systems to developing logistics management software customized to Bhutan’s roads and trails.
STANFORD D.SCHOOL
Stanford’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) distinguishes itself with a singular approach to innovation and creativity. Through its “Design for Extreme Affordability” program, Mountain Hazelnuts was selected as a partner organization. Stanford has funded eight professionals with expertise in engineering, business, and public policy to develop low-cost, locally appropriate drying and de-husking solutions for smallholder farming families.
NATIONAL PARTNERS
Ministry of Labour and Human Resources (MoLHR) - Youth Engagement and Livelihood Program (YELP)
Mountain Hazelnuts is committed to fostering the development of entrepreneurs in the agribusiness sector across Bhutan. With support from the MoLHR, the Company has established a year-long agricultural and entrepreneurial skills training program under the Youth Engagement and Livelihood Program (YELP). This comprehensive curriculum equips unemployed youth with the necessary skills that are directly applicable to all aspects of agriculture in Bhutan. In addition to assisting in alleviating the high level of Bhutanese youth unemployment, Mountain Hazelnuts is developing entrepreneurs with the necessary business skills to provide services in many areas of Bhutan’s agricultural economy. The shared vision is that the program could support 100 youth per year.
THE LODEN FOUNDATION
The Loden Foundation is a CSO in Bhutan with a mission to foster an enlightened and happy society through promotion of education, social entrepreneurship, and Bhutan's tradition and culture. Through a competitive selection process, the Loden Entrepreneurship Programme provides interest and collateral free loans to support businesses developed by youth and aspiring entrepreneurs. The Loden Foundation mentors selected youth entrepreneurs, and provides a range of capacity building and networking opportunities to these new business founders.
The Loden Foundation and Mountain Hazelnuts have jointly established a funding window, the Loden Hazelnut Program, dedicated to supporting new ventures along the hazelnut value chain, thereby contributing to the stimulation of entrepreneurship across Bhutan. The Program targets female entrepreneurs to improve their access to development finance.
Please see a list suggesting examples of potential businesses within the hazelnut value chain here.
YIGA CHOCOLATE
Yiga Chocolate, founded by Ms. Kinley Pelden, is a Bhutanese start-up that uses high quality local ingredients to produce artisanal chocolate products. Mountain Hazelnuts collaborates with Yiga Chocolate to produce a special line of hazelnut confectionery. This collaboration is based on a shared commitment to achieving social and environmental impact alongside economic profitability. Mountain Hazelnuts works closely with Bhutanese companies to encourage participation in the hazelnut value chain and supports entrepreneurship throughout the Nation, a key driver of job creation.
GYALPOZHING COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF BHUTAN
Gyalpozhing College of Information Technology (GCIT) was established to become Bhutan’s leading technical training institution with a vision of “The center of excellence in information technology steeped in GNH values.” The Company established a broad based collaboration with the GCIT to enable the Mountain Hazelnuts team to provide students with exposure to the Company’s cutting edge design and use of technology. The Company offers internships to a select group of students from the College. The students are given in-depth training in various aspects of Mountain Hazelnuts’ IT operations, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with senior IT experts on the development of their final year project. In addition, Mountain Hazelnuts makes available its senior staff to serve as lecturers and external examiners for various subjects, including the assessment of final year projects.
SUMTRHANG MONASTERY
Located in the mountains above Ura Valley in Bumthang District, Sumtrhang Monastery is one of the oldest Buddhist monastic establishments in Bhutan. Founded in the 1220’s, it has been the seat of a significant spiritual and cultural lineage that has remained unbroken for eight centuries. The temple and facilities fell into decline due to economic hardships of the local villages associated with the Monastery. Mountain Hazelnuts has made a long-term commitment to help fund the restoration and upkeep of Sumthrang Monastery, including support for the resident nuns, enabling the Company to generate positive social impact and a meaningful connection with one of Bhutan’s precious institutions.