Thriving Communities, Healthy Landscapes
We're helping more than two million farmers embrace more sustainable growing practices that can help build resilience to climate change and boost yields.
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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 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.
Our Work to Improve Rural Livelihoods
To improve rural livelihoods, we foster deep collaboration between farmers, civil society organizations, companies, and governments.
Our Work with the Global Living Wage Coalition
The Rainforest Alliance believes that workers around the world should be paid enough money to provide a decent life for themselves and their families.
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.
All resources for Livelihoods
Greener Agriculture Is a Win for Farmers, Food Companies and the Environment
Conventional farming is one of the world's greatest drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss, and we're running out of time to reverse its adverse effects.
Choosing People AND Planet: Are Women in Your Definition of Sustainability?
People and nature are inextricably linked - the wellbeing of one is central to the other and vice versa. Sustainability is the true intersection of people, planet and profit which gives us hope for the future.
World Wide Waste: Turning Used Banana Stems into Hair Extensions and Fabric
The African country of Uganda is one of the world’s largest consumers of bananas. But for every ton of the fruit, plantations leave behind two tons of refuse. TexFad transforms them into tough fiber that can be woven into rugs, place mats, and even hair extensions.
Glass Interviews Nigel Sizer of the Rainforest Alliance about Its Work with Guatemala’s Rural Communities
Glass talks to Nigel Sizer, Chief Global Alliances Officer of the Rainforest Alliance, about its work with Guatemala's rural communities, and why this is such a pivotal time for the future of a country emerging from conflict and political instability.
How Companies Can Share Responsibility in Paying Farm Workers a Living Wage
We’re committed to addressing living wage through our 2020 Certification Program, the ALIGN tool, and innovative projects like Better Pay in Practice. If your company is interested in directly contributing to achieving living wages in your supply chain, we are here to help.... Continue Reading
Project Profile: Transforming the Cocoa Sector in Indonesia Through Value Addition for Smallholders (TRACTIONS)
Indonesia's small-scale farmers can transform the cocoa sector into a powerful engine of rural prosperity and sustainability.... Continue Reading