Renowned board game designer Uwe Rosenberg, known for classics like Agricola, Patchwork, and A Feast for Odin, is nearing a significant milestone in his ambitious project to create a forest in the Ghanaian savannah. Launched in 2022 in collaboration with sustainability business Click A Tree, the Board Game Road project aims to plant 40,000 trees along a rural road while providing fair employment for local communities.
The initiative has already secured support from 18 board game publishers, including Rosenberg’s co-founded company Lookout Spiele, now part of Asmodee. Other backers include Amigo, Feuerland, Hans im Glück, Skellig Games, Edition Spielwiese, and Spielworxx. Just two more publishers are needed to reach the target of 20 participants.
Inspired by Atiwa
Rosenberg conceived the project after researching Ghana for his 2022 board game Atiwa, which centers on building sustainable communities near the Atiwa mountain range. The game incorporates themes of environmental conservation, such as using fruit bats to foster a symbiotic relationship with farmers.
Through Board Game Road, Rosenberg seeks to provide tangible benefits to the local community. The project will create 10,000 hours of employment—equivalent to 250 weeks of full-time work—for tasks like planting and maintaining the forest. Additionally, it will fund 8,000 training days in local business schools, equipping around 40 people with valuable skills.
Kickstarter Success for Click A Tree
Rosenberg’s efforts have extended to the design of a board game, Click A Tree, which aims to raise awareness for the project. The tile-laying game, published by Skellig Games, focuses on Ghanaian farmers adapting to climate challenges by planting crops in the shade of trees.
The game’s Kickstarter campaign has nearly reached £20,000, with over 400 backers contributing since its launch. The campaign runs until February 4, giving supporters a chance to help fund this eco-conscious initiative.
As Board Game Road approaches its goal, Rosenberg’s project continues to highlight the potential for board games to inspire real-world change while fostering sustainability and fair employment.