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
Chocolate Prices Have Soared. A New Law Threatens to Keep Them High
The Wall Street Journal spotlights the challenges facing smallholder cocoa farmers in West Africa as the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) takes effect. It also highlights the Rainforest Alliance's on-the-ground role in helping these farmers align with the legislation's requirements.
Can the rising cost of chocolate help cocoa producers go green?
Climate Change News delves deep into the intricate dynamics of the cocoa industry, with a particular focus on West Africa. Rainforest Alliance experts highlight how the recent cocoa price hikes have underscored the industry's susceptibility to climate change and the pressing need for more sustainable and regenerative farming approaches.
Project Profile: A Partnership for Sustainable Farming in Tropical Asian Landscapes
The Sustainable Farming in Tropical Asian Landscapes (SFITAL) project aims to link small-scale producers to global supply chains in an environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially responsible manner.... Continue Reading
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.... Continue Reading
Commentary: Cocoa Prices Skyrocket, But Farmers Left Behind
Cocoa prices have reached record highs due to severe supply shortages globally. The worsening impact of climate change, plant diseases, and socioeconomic challenges faced by cocoa-producing countries have all played a role. Smallholder farmers in West Africa, who supply around 70% of the world's cocoa, bear the brunt of these challenges despite being crucial players in the industry.
Researchers find concerning repercussion of our love of chocolate: ‘Cocoa farmers are also on the front lines’
This article highlights the importance of buying sustainably sourced cocoa to help mitigate environmental and social impacts within the cocoa sector, particularly in West Africa. Kwame Osei, current Senior Director for Global Programs at the Rainforest Alliance, explains why poverty is the main driver of deforestation in this sector and region.