Community forestry

Kapok Tree

Photo credit: Mohsin Kazmi

Indigenous people have lived from the forest since time immemorial, using its resources sparingly and carefully so that it might continue to produce its riches. What the Rainforest Alliance brings to this age-old model are the tools and support to make it economically viable in today’s world. We connect local and indigenous communities with markets, provide technical and business support, and work to improve human well-being—all while conserving the forest.

This page features information about the Rainforest Alliance's work to promote community forestry and links to all our related content and resources.

Working with forest communities, governments, companies, and civil society organizations, we promote more sustainable forest management practices throughout the tropics. We provide training, tools, and knowledge to communities; promote youth inclusion and gender equality; work to increase forest cover, biodiversity, and carbon capture; promote secured rights to forests; and provide access to alliances, finance, and markets, so that forest communities—and forests—may thrive.

Quick Links

Integrated Community Forest Management Position Paper

This paper outlines our principles and strategies for stopping forest degradation and supporting forest communities in vulnerable tropical regions.

KLEINHANS FELLOWSHIP FOR COMMUNITY FORESTRY RESEARCH

Our Kleinhans Fellowship supports research that seeks solutions to the challenges faced by the community forestry model.

HOW OUR FOREST ALLIES WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THRIVING RURAL COMMUNITIES

Our Forest Allies initiative leverages the enormous power of our partnerships to support forest communities as they address the climate crisis and combat deforestation.

Eight Lessons from Supporting Community Forest Management and Enterprises

This paper summarizes our lessons learnt from twenty years of global experience in community forestry.

Our Work: Community forestry

All resources for Community forestry

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Annual Report

2021 Annual Report: We Grow Together

Explore the Rainforest Alliance 2021 Annual Report! Inside you’ll meet the farmers, forest communities, businesses, and individuals who are working with us to create a world where people and nature... View more


Available in: English, Spanish, German, French, Indonesian, Portuguese, Japanese

Sell Sheet

Join Forest Allies

Through the Forest Allies community of practice, we can help your company:

Invest in forest conservation and restoration beyond your operations.
Recognize Indigenous Peoples and local... View more


Available in: English

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