Even where indigenous people have gained secure rights over the forests in which they live, they are often still under pressure from outsiders, including those wishing to log the forests for timber or extract minerals. To some members of indigenous groups, often younger generations, such activities could provide a source of income to obtain western consumer goods and services with which they are having increasing contact.

Many forest communities are also very poor. Whilst their basic needs are often supplied by the forest, many forest people also wish to use modern medicines, agricultural inputs and other goods in order to improve their quality of life.

The Foundation therefore aims to help such communities to develop new and sustainable sources of cash income. This can involve the development of new ‘micro-enterprises’ and marketing initiatives, the introduction of new crops or varieties, or the management and processing of plants found naturally in the forest.

This work can be particularly important for women in forest communities, who are often the most economically disadvantaged.

• Ambohimahamasina - Madagascar
• Baka Rights and Mapping - Cameroon
• Capacity Strengthening - DRC
• Community Legal Field Workers - Cameroon

Choose another theme Select Capacity Strengthening Community Forests Deforestation Income Generation Law and Policy Territorial Mapping and Security