ABOUT US
On this page is everything you need to know about us. You can use the boxes below to jump to the section you would like to know about. If you have any further questions you can contact us using our contact form.
HOW IT
ALL STARTED
THE TEAM
BEHIND TROFACO
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
ENTERPRISE
HOW IT ALL STARTED
TROFACO was established in 2014. Its founders Steffen Johnsen and Thomas O’Brien Kirk are Danish, part of a large network concerned with international development and climate change in Europe and tropical Africa and Asia. Both have worked in international development for many years. In particular, they enjoy working with farmers’ organizations that strive to serve the interests of their members also by securing well functioning internal democracy.
We know many such organizations and we know that many of their practices can benefit our global climate. Based on this experience we established TROFACO. We currently collaborate closely with more than 25 farmers’ associations and 20 schools in Cambodia and some 40 schools and farmers groups, as well as churches in Uganda.
THE TEAM BEHIND TROFACO
Steffen Johnsen
CEO
Steffen has 25 years of experience working with organized farmers, climate change, forest management and sustainable agriculture in many tropical countries. He has lived three years in Vietnam and two years in Cambodia. He holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, College of Natural Resources.
Thomas O'Brien Kirk
CFO
Thomas has over 25 years of experience in international development and has lived many years in Tanzania, working – among other things – with farmers’ cooperatives. He is a certified auditor, business advisor and on the board of several Danish Companies.
Steffen Johnsen
CEO
Steffen has 25 years of experience working with organized farmers, climate change, forest management and sustainable agriculture in many tropical countries. He has lived three years in Vietnam and two years in Cambodia. He holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, College of Natural Resources.
Thomas O'Brien Kirk
CFO
Thomas has over 25 years of experience in international development and has lived many years in Tanzania, working – among other things – with farmers’ cooperatives. He is a certified auditor, business advisor and on the board of several Danish Companies.
Huong Le
VERIFICATION EXPERT & ACCOUNTANT
Huong has worked with tropical farming and development for over 20 years. She grew up in a Vietnamese farming village, now lives in Denmark, has
Sune Johnsen
CTO
Sune, the youngest member of the team, studies at the IT University of Copenhagen. He is the son of Steffen and has lived in Cambodia and Vietnam for much of his childhood. He has designed the website and keeps all the necessary IT-systems running smoothly.
Heng Rithea
COORDINATOR, CAMBODIA
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
ENTERPRISE
We have organized TROFACO as a socio-economic enterprise with the goal of having the largest possible positive impact on the global climate. Therefore we strive to use as many of our resources as possible to plant trees.
In practice, this means that we reduce all costs as much as possible and only use what is needed for our core operation.
Furthermore, we do not pay dividends or interests to any owners or shareholders and keep our salaries to a minimum, as none of us
As a result of this, the vast majority of funds we receive are used to do exactly what we intend it to – plant more trees.
We publish all our audited financial reports here on the website for all to see, as we mean to be as transparent about our operations as possible.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding our finances, and we will do our best to give you more insight!