Indigenous Land and Livelihoods
Investing in local governance: a proven pathway to resilient forest communities in the Congo Basin
Insights from RFUK’s recent field mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo. RFUK’s recent field mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reaffirmed a critical lesson for conservation and development partners: strong local governance drives some of the most effective and sustainable outcomes for building resilient forest communities. Across Kinshasa and the Equateur province, … Read more
Protecting those who protect the forest: RFUK publishes new guidance to support community defenders in the Congo Basin
Deep in the forests of the Congo Basin, documenting illegal logging, or other illegal extractive activities, can come at a cost. Community observers, many of them volunteers, set out to monitor forest activity to protect their lands, defend their rights and ensure that forest laws are respected, knowing they may face intimidation, threats or even … Read more
Indigenous forest observers drive action against illegal mining in the Peruvian Amazon
New results from the Madre de Dios region in southeastern Peru’s Amazon Basin show how Indigenous-led monitoring is protecting forests, influencing policy and confronting rising threats. RFUK’s Peru Coordinator, Daniela Velit, recently visited Puerto Maldonado, the capital city of the Madre de Dios region, and saw first-hand how RFUK’s project alongside Indigenous rights organisation FENAMAD is … Read more
From the Ene River in Peru to the global stage: the journey of Nilda Chávez
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the leadership of Indigenous women by sharing the story of Nilda Chávez whose journey from the Ene River to the global stage shows the power of community, determination and women’s leadership. At RFUK, we are proud to work alongside our partners and communities in Peru to help build the … Read more
Peru’s Supreme Court sets landmark precedent against intimidation lawsuits targeting Indigenous defenders
In a landmark ruling, Peru’s Supreme Court has overturned a defamation judgment against the Indigenous rights organisation FENAMAD, recognising that a powerful timber company misused the justice system to silence public interest advocacy. The decision marks a major step forward in protecting freedom of expression and Indigenous rights, and sets an important precedent against so-called SLAPPs, Strategic … Read more
Intelligence Report on Ecosystem Collapse Highlights Urgent Need For UK Action on Forests
This is NGO Forest Coalition’s response to the UK government’s Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security. The UK government’s national security assessment released on 20 January 2026 underscores a stark reality: accelerating nature loss is not just an environmental issue, it is a foundational threat to global stability and UK security. … Read more
II Congress Ama Ene Strengthens Asháninka Women’s Leadership in the Ene River Basin
Pamakiari, Ene River Basin, Peru – August 2025 The II Congress Ama Ene has brought together more than 150 Asháninka women from 19 communities along the Ene River, marking an important milestone in advancing Indigenous women’s leadership and gender rights in the region. On 14 August, CARE boats travelled upriver, stopping at each community to … Read more
Against the odds: two forest communities in conflict-affected North Kivu approve sustainable management plans
This story is the last of a five-part Forests for the Future impact series on how community forests in the DRC are enabling communities to drive their own development and protect climate critical forests In the heart of the Bapere sector of Lubero Territory, North Kivu, a region often overshadowed by insecurity and conflict, two … Read more
Key Land-Use Planning Law Passed in the DRC
On 1 July 2025, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed into law the country’s first-ever land-use planning legislation, Law No. 25/045, marking a major milestone in the pursuit of fair and effective governance of natural resources in one of the world’s most forest-rich nations. The law’s adoption follows a multi-stakeholder process … Read more
New analysis shows extent of threat posed by new DRC oil block licensing round
Kinshasa, DRC / London, UK A new report, released today by Earth Insight in collaboration with Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) and Congolese partners Our Land Without Oil (Notre Terre Sans Pétrole) and CORAP, reveals the potential social and environmental impacts of planned oil development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The government cancelled a … Read more