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 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.... 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
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
All resources for Livelihoods
What is Sustainable Agriculture?
Definitions differ, but at its heart, sustainable agriculture is about meeting the needs of the present, without sacrificing those of tomorrow—it’s farming that is environmentally sound, socially responsible, and profitable for farmers.... Continue Reading
The Business Case for Collective Landscape Action
Rates of forest and biodiversity loss are accelerating throughout the tropics alongside escalating global impacts of climate change. Commodities such as coffee, timber, palm oil, rubber, and cocoa drive much of this deforestation. We need transformative solutions to ensure a climate-positive future that creates long-term benefits for people and nature. The Business Case for Collective […]
Feed the Future Honduras Productive Agroforestry Systems
The northern Atlantic region of Honduras has vast production and forest corridors. The region offers excellent agroecological conditions for diverse and sustainable production of key commodities such as timber, shade-grown cocoa and cardamom, and exotic and citrus fruits. However, dominant production models are unsustainable, contribute to widespread production inefficiencies, and deteriorate the natural resources that […]
Prosperous and Resilient Landscapes in Guatemala
In Guatemala, large swaths of rural populations depend on ever-collapsing ecosystems and fast-disappearing natural resources for their livelihoods. Decreased incomes limit families’ ability to respond to weather- and market-related shocks, and unsustainable production practices put immense pressure on forests, further threatening livelihoods. Economic desperation leads many communities to turn to informal, temporary income sources, or […]
Resilient Ecosystems and Sustainable Transformation of Rural Economies
Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are the largest producers of cocoa in the world, with millions of families relying on the crop for their livelihoods. Yet cocoa farmers earn, on average, only six percent of the final product’s value in stores, making poverty and food insecurity common. Additionally, women make up a significant part of the […]
Women’s Economic Empowerment
Women provide immense contributions to productive value chains globally. Throughout Mesoamerica, women work in the production of coffee, cocoa, cardamom, potato, and so many other crops that global markets demand. As part of our Women’s Economic Empowerment in Mesoamerica Initiative, the Rainforest Alliance and partners are working alongside women, including Indigenous women and youth, in […]