Livelihoods

Rural prosperity, responsible business

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.

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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.

Organizational Updates

Innovative Ways to Enhance Living Income for Cocoa Farmers

At the Rainforest Alliance, we believe in a shared responsibility approach that encourages companies to do their part in ensuring a living income for farmers. This is the basis of our initiatives, the Living Income Module and the Living Income Fund.... Continue Reading

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All resources for Livelihoods

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Project Profiles

Project Profile: Advancing the Sustainable Tea Sector in Türkiye

This new tailor-made program in partnership with JDE Peet’s, aims to strengthen JDE Peet’s tea supply chain—and the Turkish tea sector more broadly—by training thousands of local tea farmers on improved sustainability practices.

Impact Study

Baseline Evaluation of the RA2020 Living Wage Strategy

This report, commissioned by the Rainforest Alliance (RA), offers a baseline study analyzing the dispositions of Certificate Holders and Supply Chain Actors against the living wage requirements and... View more


Available in: English

Organizational Updates

Innovative Ways to Enhance Living Income for Cocoa Farmers

At the Rainforest Alliance, we believe in a shared responsibility approach that encourages companies to do their part in ensuring a living income for farmers. This is the basis of our initiatives, the Living Income Module and the Living Income Fund.