The lands and resources of forest peoples around the world are threatened by logging, mining, oil, gas, hydropower and the expansion of agriculture, as well as wildlife conservation projects. Millions of indigenous and tribal peoples are affected by these activities but their voices are seldom heard by the policy makers and enterprises that decide the fate of the forests.

In most countries, indigenous peoples are the poorest sectors of society, least able to access education, health care, employment and justice. They are often subjected to ethnic discrimination, social exclusion and arbitrary violence. Few governments have policies to redress these inequities.

Forest peoples need support to conserve their lands and their resources and to develop sustainable activities that strengthen their communities, protect the environment and reduce poverty. In areas where forests have been destroyed, forest peoples need alternative livelihoods and support for forest restoration.

Pushing for change
The Forest Peoples Project was set up in 1999 as the charitable arm of the Forest Peoples Programme, to improve social, economic and environmental conditions for indigenous and tribal forest peoples worldwide. We work with forest peoples to help them: