About Rainforest Partnership

Who We Are

Rainforest Partnership is an international non-profit enterprise committed to protecting tropical rain forests.

What We Do

We partner with forest communities to help them make an income that allows them to protect their forests.  We do this by working with communities to develop and market products made out of raw materials found only in the rainforest or by providing services that are unique to rainforest.  By developing the market for these products, locally, elsewhere in Latin America, and in the U.S., sales of these goods and services give residents a financial stake in protecting their forests.

How We Work

Our model is collaborative, bottom-up, and results-driven.  We work with communities that want an alternative to deforestation.  By enabling communities to have an active role in project design and implementation and by using market-based approaches we collaboratively prevent deforestation and foster economic development.  By creating a global network—linking people to people, community to community—we create long-term economic and environmental sustainability.

What We Believe

The way to protect the “lungs” of the planet is to help the people who live in those “lungs” have a better standard of living, to grow their economy in harmony with their rainforest. Our mission is to partner with people who live in and around tropical rainforests to develop environmentally sustainable economies to protect and regenerate their forests. Our vision is that, together with our partners, we will become a global leader in the development of sustainable economies to preserve tropical rainforests around the world.

Our Work & Accomplishments in Chipaota Artisan Project (2009-June 2010)

-The community members created the “Alima Waska” artisan group and Rainforest Partnership now works with them to create a successful business and market their products.

-Designed a studio to exhibit and store handicrafts made by the women, which is currently under construction. 

-Worked with a group of 15 women to make their products more unique and distinctive in order to create a product that buyers will recognize as being made in Chipaota and to ensure a competitive edge over others offering similar products. 

-Conducted a series of workshops, which addressed quality control, business management and new artisan techniques.  Also, RP has worked with the group to create a logo to further brand recognition and the popularity of the product. 

-Empowered the group, especially the women, by supporting them to earn their own income source that values their knowledge and skills.

Goals for 2012 in the Chipaota Artisan Project

- Identify distribution channels in Lima and the nearby town of Tarapoto. 

- Develop a marketing strategy, including labeling of products with the Alima Waska logo.

- Work with the women to further develop their marketing and business skills. 

- Plan the remodelling of the second floor of the artisan studio to turn it into a hostel where visitors can stay.

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