Rainforest Alliance supporting Latin American youth

Rainforest Alliance works to involve Latin American youths, among whom unemployment and poverty levels are high. According to the organisation, the average age of producers worldwide is 60 years old. Some reasons for this are that the young are migrating to escape a cycle of working poverty; youths are excluded from the decision-making and political processes; there is a lack of skills training for the sector; and there is insufficient investment in technologies to develop sustainable production. Meanwhile, the need for basic foodstuffs continues to grow. Since 2016, Rainforest Alliance has been engaged in the Nuestra Selva, Nuestro Futuro initiative in Calakmul, Mexico, which works with over 120 young people on tropical forestry projects, including full scholarships for six students.