People and forests

Indigenous Peoples and traditional forest-related knowledge

FAO/Brent Stirton Getty images for FAO CIRAD CIFOR WCS

Micro, small and medium-scale forest enterprises

News

Community-managed funds key to protecting Brazilian Amazon

24/09/2021

Direct support to community-managed funds will help address challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss and rural poverty in the Brazilian Amazon.

Indigenous peoples are key to a healthier planet

09/08/2021

On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, David Kaimowitz, Senior Forestry Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Manager of the Forest and Farm Facility, explains why empowering Indigenous Peoples can help fight our climate, nature and health crises.

5 ways Indigenous Peoples can help the world eliminate hunger

09/08/2021

Indigenous Peoples and their food systems can provide answers to food insecurity and climate change.

Publications

A mapping of social protection needs and opportunities for forest-dependent communities in Uganda

2017

This study investigates poverty and vulnerability of forest-dependent communities. The qualitative approach sought to determine and analyse the diversity of social protection needs and opportunities for forest-dependent communities in five districts and make recommendations as to action to address them.

Social protection for building the resilience of forest-dependent people: Evidence, linkages, practices and potential applications

2017

This study provides a rationale for building linkages between social protection and sustainable forestry in developing countries.

FAO Forestry Paper 179: National socioeconomic surveys in forestry

2016

Forests and trees contribute in multiple ways to reducing food insecurity, supporting sustainable livelihoods and alleviating poverty. As FAO’s State of the World’s Forests 2014 (SOFO 2014; FAO, 2014a) shows, for about one-third of the world population wood is the primary or only energy source, demonstrating the relevance of “wood security” in food security in many regions.

Videos

Forests for a sustainable future: educating children — testing lessons in the Philippines

01/03/2024

Children in primary school today will play a significant role in bringing about the changes needed to ensure a sustainable future for forests.

Grass charcoal production in Ghana

01/08/2023

In Ghana, small producers are revolutionizing the production of charcoal. By using savanna grasses to make charcoal briquettes producers promote renewable...

Forests for a sustainable future: Educating children in Tanzania

01/07/2023

FAO is teaching children in Tanzania about the importance of managing forests sustainably. A three-year-project funded by Germany has developed forest...

Restoring land and livelihoods with beekeeping in Tanzania

20/05/2023

In northern Tanzania, recurring drought in recent years caused by climate change has put pressure on communities who make their livelihoods by keeping...

Forests for a sustainable future: educating children — testing lessons in Tanzania

01/05/2023

Children in primary school today will play a significant role in bringing about the changes needed to ensure a sustainable future for forests. “Forests...

Sustainable wood: Climate-friendly cities

01/12/2022

Find more videos on the FAO Forestry YouTube playlist

Sustainable wood: Housing a growing population

27/10/2022

A growing population means more buildings to fit everyone. By 2030, we will have to house an additional 3 billion people. Using wood from sustainably...

Sustainable Wood: Building the future

13/10/2022

Wood can be a material of the future, helping to build a bio-economy for the planet's health and economic recovery. Durable “cross-laminated timber”...

Indigenous Peoples’ food systems

06/08/2021

This video provides an overview on the common and unique sustainability elements of Indigenous Peoples' food systems.

International Day of Forests 2021: Forest restoration – a path to recovery and well-being

21/03/2021

Restoring forests helps build a healthier world for ourselves and for future generations. By replanting and managing forests sustainably, we can help...