In a heartening act of environmental solidarity and support, a famous French bicycle manufacturer has chosen Kurdistan for his annual global reforestation project, committing €60,000 to plant 10,000 trees in the Simele district of Duhok Governorate.
Each year, Sergio Deutro chooses a country to support its ecological initiatives and carries out a noble environmental charity project. After successful initiatives in Turkiye and Armenia, this year he has brought his vision to Kurdistan, to support the region’s efforts to combat climate change.
“Kurdistan has a beautiful natural landscape,” Deutro told Kurdistan Chronicle. “I wanted this year’s project to support people and ecosystems in a place that doesn’t always get the international attention it deserves. Environmental action is a way of standing with people – and giving something back to the planet.”
The tree-planting initiative is being implemented on the ground by Yak Dar, a Kurdish environmental organization led by Hakar Subhi, in coordination with locals and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). According to Subhi, Simele was chosen for its urgent need for reforestation and its openness to environmental education.
“Simele has fewer green spaces and limited access to ecological resources,” Subhi explained. “This project will not only reintroduce trees to the soil, but also reconnect local communities to the land through care and knowledge.”
Each family receiving a tree will also receive a custom wooden planter box, as well as guidance from volunteers on how to care for it. The idea is to foster community ownership, turning every household into a guardian of the region’s greenery and helping to ensure a much greener future.
Ali Dolamari, the KRG’s representative in France, confirmed Deutro’s donation and praised the spirit of international cooperation behind the effort. “Deutro’s commitment to Kurdistan is deeply appreciated,” Dolamari said. “He brings with him not only financial support, but also the spirit of empathy and environmental unity.”
Pedaling for the Planet
Tree planting began in early spring and is scheduled to continue over the next three months until all 10,000 trees are planted. Priority is being given to native and drought-resistant species to ensure long-term resilience in the face of climate challenges that may affect the Kurdistan Region. Iraq as a whole is notably prone to the impacts of climate change, a crisis the UN has labeled “the biggest threat Iraq has ever faced.”
Deutro is a former professional cyclist who has taken on the roles of climate avenger and superhero, an environmental activist. Through his initiative, “Pedal for the Planet,” he raises funds and awareness for reforestation and ecological recovery projects worldwide. He personally travels to each selected country, cycles across parts of the region, and works closely with local organizations to ensure each project is both worthy and productive.
“This isn’t just about trees,” Deutro said. “It’s about dignity, sustainability, and showing that people – no matter where they are – deserve to breathe cleaner air, live with shade, and have hope.”
As thousands of trees begin to take root in Kurdistan, they stand as a living symbol of environmental renewal and of the shared human effort to care for one another and the Earth we all depend on. Deutro’s endeavor adds to the initiative led by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to combat climate change.
