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Our Work to Improve Rural Livelihoods
To improve rural livelihoods, we foster deep collaboration between farmers, civil society organizations, companies, and governments.
What's at Stake
Across the tropics, farming and forest communities face a daily struggle to cover life’s basic needs. Breaking the cycle of rural poverty—and tackling the ensuing impacts for people and nature—is critical for a more sustainable future for us all.
RURAL POVERTY, DEFORESTATION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Rural poverty is at the root of many of our most pressing global challenges, from child labor and poor working conditions to deforestation for agricultural expansion. Economic desperation exacerbates these complex issues, which are deeply embedded in global supply chains. The result is a vicious cycle of environmental destruction and human suffering.
Our Impact
Our work to cultivate rural prosperity brings real, measurable benefits for farmers, forest communities and Indigenous peoples around the world.
Building a sustainable forest economy
US$69.7 million
earned by our Maya Biosphere Reserve community partners from 2013-2021*
The Rainforest Alliance has been working with the community forestry concessions in Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve since 1999—helping to develop thriving forest enterprises based on the responsible harvesting and processing of non-timber forest products (such as nuts and palm fronds), in addition to timber for export, according to the rigorous standard of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
*2013-2021 earnings from 100+ small and medium-sized forest-based businesses in the community concessions of Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve.
Improving farmer incomes
40% higher cocoa income
on West African small-scale certified farms*
In 70 countries, farmers are trained in more sustainable practices that boost climate resilience, conserve biodiversity, and promote worker wellbeing—while also helping to increase productivity and improve their incomes. Learn more
*Three studies published in 2018-2020 reveal that income from cocoa production is 40% higher on average on Rainforest Alliance and UTZ Certified farms in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, compared to non-certified farms:
Our Work: Livelihoods
The Rainforest Alliance partners with frontline communities to build thriving rural economies rooted in more sustainable growing practices and forest stewardship. We also promote responsible business practices to ensure that companies recognize and reward sustainability transformation—in the field as well as the boardroom.
Article
Protecting Biodiversity and Livelihoods in Cameroon
Our work in this region lends support for community forest enterprises as they plan sustainable forest management activities, utilize best forestry practices, boost their business skills, and engage in strategies for value-added processing and penetrating premium markets for timber and other forest products.
Organizational Updates
Living Income: Moving from Measurement to Action
As founding members of the Living Income Community of Practice, we’re committed to finding solutions to address the living wage gap.
Article
Guatemalan Indigenous Entrepreneur Meets with Kamala Harris
A longtime participant in our programs in Guatemala met with Vice President Harris.
All resources for Livelihoods
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Sell Sheet
Improving Farmer Food System Resilience through Climate-Smart Agriculture
A key aspect of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is helping farmers to improve farm productivity, thus achieve higher incomes and improved standard of living. Our four main interconnected areas of
View: Improving Farmer Food System Resilience through Climate-Smart Agriculture
Shaping Human Rights and Environmental Policy for a Sustainable Future
Advocacy complements the other main areas of our work by shaping policies and practices that will affect agriculture, forests, and business for years and decades to come.[Read more...]
Project Profile: Mount Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods Program
According to a United Nations report, approximately 12 million people in Kenya live on degraded land and food productivity has fallen behind the rate of population growth. This has resulted in farmland extending up the mountain and encroaching into protected forests.[Read more...]
Five Coffee Farmers Who Inspire Us
Coffee farmers protect forests and biodiversity, build their farms’ climate resilience, promote human rights, and improve livelihoods. Here are five remarkable individuals who motivate us even more than the coffee they grow.[Read more...]
Media Coverage
“You can’t be a CEO without a carbon agenda”: Santiago Gowland
The CEO of the Rainforest Alliance on the need for businesses to bring about real environmental reform.
Topics: Certification
Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa
We work with almost one million cocoa farmers to build thriving livelihoods and climate resilience through certification and training.[Read more...]
