Indigenous Land and Livelihoods
RFUK launches first partnership in Ecuador to help Indigenous communities protect forests and livelihoods
On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we are celebrating Indigenous leadership in forest stewardship through our new partnership with Corporación Chakra, an Indigenous-led organisation representing Kichwa communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon, supporting efforts to protect forests, strengthen sustainable livelihoods and safeguard traditional knowledge for future generations. RFUK has taken an exciting step into … Read more
RFUK and partners launch new phase of community forest monitoring in the DRC
RFUK and our partners have officially launched a new phase of community-led forest monitoring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking the start of an ambitious new three-year programme to strengthen Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ ability to protect their forests. The launch took place during a ten-day workshop in Kinshasa, bringing together … Read more
ANNUAL REVIEW 2025
We are delighted to present our 2025 Annual Review, which highlights the key achievements and impact of RFUK’s projects and campaigns over the past year in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and forest communities around the world.
Community Forest Success in North Kivu, Against All the Odds
In the forests of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a region that has endured years of insecurity and uncertainty, an incredible story of community resilience is unfolding. On 2 June 2026, the Masombea community in Lubero Territory, North Kivu, officially secured legal recognition of its community forest (Concession Forestière des Communautés Locales, … Read more
A 2033 vision for a new era of rainforest protection
RFUK’s 2033 Vision: A New Era of Rainforest Protection sets out our roadmap for the next decade of rainforest conservation. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience working alongside Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the vision outlines how combining community-led action with systemic change, innovative technology and stronger partnerships can drive action at the scale … Read more
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