Borneo’s forests have long been cleared for agricultural purposes. Traditionally, local communities rely on this for subsistence and use slash and burn, a method of farming where people cultivate one area intensively for a couple of years before moving onto a new area. This leaves cleared habitat severely degraded, contributing to biodiversity loss and poor ecosystem health. However, it is hard for communities to transition to alternative income generating projects without extra support.

To support local communities to make the transition and replace this damaging practice, we set up our sustainable livelihoods programme which has devised three projects in collaboration with community groups. These include agroforestry, small-scale fish-farming and local handicraft businesses which prioritise women’s groups - an already established example being our Eco bag initiative. Through these initiatives, we offer alternative, sustainable income as well as greater protection for forests.