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 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.
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
Building Cocoa Ambassadors: A Case Study on Youth Capacity-Building in Jembrana, Indonesia
Like many other regions and sectors, there is a dearth of young farmers entering the cocoa value chain in Jembrana. Only 10% of the famers in Jembrana are youth. Many young students living in rural areas in Indonesia attend agriculture schools because they are an affordable and accessible alternative to traveling to major cities to […]
Nuestra Selva, Nuestro Futuro: A Case Study on Experiential Learning in Calakmul, Mexico
The Rainforest Alliance has been working since 2016 with youth and community partners in Calakmul, Mexico to prepare young people for a meaningful and financially viable future within their communities. The ability of youth to access employment and education in their communities is crucial to combating out-migration and ensuring the continuation of sustainable farming and […]
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.