Community Forests and Land Rights

DRC announces creation of the world’s largest ‘community’ reserve: what needs to happen now

22 January 2025

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has announced the creation of one of the world’s largest protected areas, covering more than 540,000 km² – an area the size of France. Stretching from Beni in the east of the country along the RN4 road and the Congo River basin to … Read more

Bridging Forests and Markets Through Sustainable Cocoa Livelihoods in Peru

20 December 2024

A groundbreaking collaboration with the award-winning Asháninka Kemito Ene cooperative in Peru is enabling Indigenous smallholders to use cutting-edge technology to break down barriers to accessing international markets for their sustainably produced cacao. As global deforestation continues to threaten biodiversity and climate stability, regulatory frameworks such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) have emerged to … Read more

RIGHTING WRONGS: HOW TO ENSURE GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CONGO BASIN

27 November 2024

A new RFUK report highlights the continuing lack of protected area accountability in the Congo Basin.

New RFUK report highlights the continuing lack of protected area accountability in the Congo Basin

27 November 2024

Following the latest round of negotiations over the future of biodiversity conservation efforts at COP16, a new report by RFUK urges for accountability and redress for the past and ongoing harms caused by fortress conservation programmes across the Congo Basin. ‘Righting Wrongs‘ highlights the pressing need for effective, independent and sufficiently-resourced Grievance and Redress Mechanisms, … Read more

Indigenous-led forest monitoring initiative leads to powerful action against illegal miners in Peru

20 September 2024

A two-year Indigenous-led forest monitoring initiative in Peru’s Madre de Dios region has yielded remarkable results, leading to unprecedented legal action against illegal mining operations. This project confirms once again the power of combining community-led monitoring with state-of-the-art technologies to protect climate critical forests. Faced with many different challenges, including Peru’s political crisis and increased … Read more

Reflecting on ‘Lands in the Right Hands’

18 September 2024

This September, to mark our 35th anniversary, Rainforest Foundation UK had the immense pleasure of hosting ‘Lands in the Right Hands,’ an immersive rainforest event that brought the magic of the Congo Basin to the heart of London. As we reflect on the evening, we are filled with gratitude for the great turnout and enthusiastic … Read more

Introducing ForestEye, a cutting-edge tool for local deforestation analysis

16 September 2024

RFUK is thrilled to announce the beta launch of ForestEye, an innovative web-based tool designed to provide precise, local analysis of deforestation. Developed by RFUK’s Mapping and Development team, ForestEye is set to transform the way deforestation is monitored, understood and addressed at the grassroots level. ForestEye was conceived in response to increasing demands for … Read more

Recognising the sacrifices of Indigenous Defenders in the Amazon

9 August 2024

On this International Day of Indigenous Peoples, we are partnering with AIDESEP, the national Indigenous organisation in Peru, to celebrate the courage and resilience of Indigenous environmental defenders and call for their right to life to be upheld. These communities, whom we consider our partners and colleagues, bear a heavy burden in their efforts to … Read more

Introducing Kerry Lemon

18 July 2024

By Louise Cordery Introducing “Lands in the Right Hands”: An Immersive Art Experience with Kerry Lemon This 5 September, Rainforest Foundation UK is taking a bold, creative leap. We’re blending the worlds of immersive art and environmental activism to bring the rainforest to you in a whole new way. Art has always been a powerful … Read more

RFUK publishes new guidelines for Indigenous Peoples and local communities faced with carbon market projects

18 June 2024

Amid a surge in demand for forest land in the Congo Basin for carbon offset projects, RFUK has launched a new set of guidelines to help impacted local communities to better understand these projects and how to exercise their rights in relation to them. Carbon offset projects are often marketed as a win-win solution to … Read more