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.... Continue Reading
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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.... Continue Reading
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.... Continue Reading
All resources for Livelihoods
Heart, Soul, and Chocolate: Meet Bali’s Champion for Cocoa Policy Reform
Agung Widi has had great impact on Indonesia's cocoa policy through her foundation Kalimanjari. She shows us how advocacy can be a deeply personal and inclusive process.... Continue Reading
Youth Inclusion and Engagement Enabling Sustainable Livelihood for Young People in Rural Communities
For all individuals, that crucial transition period between childhood dependence and adult independence has a cascading impact on their entire future—not only shaping the course of their lives, but also those of their families and the communities to which they belong. A successful youth transition produces an adult who has the knowledge, resources, and skills […]
Towards Sustainable Cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire: The Impacts and Contribution of UTZ Certification Combined with Services Provided by Companies
This impact evaluation was commissioned to Wageningen University, and analyses the contribution of certification and interventions of companies implementing certification with groups of farmers in Côte d’Ivoire. The outcomes analysed are increased yields, improved income, improved working and living conditions, and better environmental protection. The results indicate that cocoa farmers increased their knowledge and implement […]
Impacts of Cocoa Sustainability Initiatives in West Africa
This scientific article analyses the social, economic, and environmental effects of voluntary standards initiatives and corporate initiatives in the cocoa sector in West Africa, largely focusing on farm and farmer group. It is based on empirical evidence from large-scale, mixed-method studies using a suite of socioeconomic, agronomic, and environmental indicators to compare the situation of […]
The Rainforest Alliance Takes a Deeper Look into the Kenya Tea Sector with Independent Study
The study looks at impacts of transition to mechanized harvesting; employment terms and conditions; gender discrimination; wages; occupational health and safety; housing and living conditions; and operational grievance and remedy mechanisms. ... Continue Reading
Youth Inclusion Interventions: A Best Practices Guide
Young people are critical to the Rainforest Alliance’s mission. Investing in the future of forests and communities means investing in the next generation of leaders, technicians, community members, and forest guardians. That’s why we’ve created a useful reference guide for sustainability experts who wish to develop youth-related projects in different regions around the world. This […]