Peoples Forests Partnership

What Peoples Forests Partnership does

Peoples Forests Partnership (PFP) is a non-profit global coalition launched at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 to drive climate and conservation finance directly to Indigenous Peoples, traditional owners, local communities, and Afro-descendants (IPLCs) who steward forest ecosystems. The Partnership operates as a convening and standards-setting organization rather than a commercial entity: it facilitates connections between forest communities, carbon project developers, climate financiers, and NGOs, while maintaining a nine-principle Governing Framework covering Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), equitable revenue sharing, grievance mechanisms, and biodiversity safeguards. The Interim Executive Committee is mandated to have 50% representation from Indigenous Peoples' organizations and 50% women, and the founding members include OPIAC, AMPB, RECOFTC, Forest Trends, CIPRED, Wildlife Works, Everland, and GreenCollar. The secretariat is hosted by RECOFTC in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Partnership's operational model centers on regional member meetings, capacity-building workshops, knowledge exchange programs, and presence at major climate forums (COP26, COP27, COP28, London Climate Action Week, Africa Climate Week). It has expanded from eight founding members to include organizations representing 250,000+ community members and 2+ million hectares of tropical forests across the Americas, Africa, and Asia, with member onboarding occurring at each annual COP. Facilitated members have secured a $2 billion portfolio of community-based forest conservation projects through carbon project developer Wildlife Works and financier Hartree, targeting prevention of 200 million tonnes of deforestation emissions over ten years and a goal of mobilizing $20 billion annually by 2030.

Revenue mechanics are non-commercial: PFP does not sell products or services and instead channels funding from grants, institutional donors (Nia Tero, World Bank EnABLE Multi-Donor Trust Fund), and membership support to its convening, advocacy, and capacity-building programs. Distribution occurs through direct membership engagement, climate conference participation, regional meetings in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and structured knowledge exchange curricula (e.g., the September 2024 Chiang Mai Knowledge Exchange co-organized with UNDP, AIPP, TEBTEBBA, and RECOFTC). The Partnership also engages in policy advocacy through open letters to standards bodies such as SBTi and in support of rights-based REDD+ frameworks.

Name

Peoples Forests Partnership

Legal name

Peoples Forests Partnership

Website

https://peoplesforestspartnership.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Peoples Forests Partnership is a non-profit global coalition launched in 2021 that convenes Indigenous Peoples, local communities, carbon project developers, and climate financiers to channel direct climate finance to forest communities, operating across the Americas, Africa, and Asia with a 250,000+ member base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate and Conservation Finance Facilitation

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (115)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAD

Forestry & Reforestation

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAGAA

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYAFAMAAAJ

Forest Ecosystem Services & Carbon/Conservation Programs

Agriculture & Food Production/Forestry & Logging/Forest Management & Silviculture

SECONDARYBPADALAA

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYIMAMAJAM

Community Forestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship Services

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Paper & Forest Products/Forest Management, Reforestation & Carbon Forestry Services

Keywords

• Climate finance facilitation
• Forest conservation partnerships
• Indigenous community support
• Carbon market governance
• Rights-based conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Climate Finance Facilitation: As a non-profit partnership, the organization does not generate revenue itself. It facilitates direct climate finance flows from private sector investors, carbon credit buyers, and donors to Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendants through community-based forest conservation and carbon projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Peoples Forests Partnership is a global non-profit coalition that facilitates equitable climate and conservation finance for Indigenous Peoples, traditional owners, local communities, and Afro-descendants (IPLCs). It develops nine governing principles for rights-based forest conservation, convenes stakeholders at global climate events such as the UNFCCC COPs, and operates partnership infrastructure that connects forest communities with carbon project developers, climate financiers, NGOs, and governments to enable direct climate finance flows and capacity building.

Product overview

Peoples Forests Partnership is a global coalition and platform that connects Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendants (IPLCs) with climate finance opportunities. Rather than offering a traditional product portfolio, the organization provides a partnership framework, capacity-building programs, knowledge-exchange workshops, and governance principles that enable forest communities to access voluntary carbon markets and direct climate investments. The partnership facilitates connections between forest community organizations, carbon project developers, climate financiers, NGOs, and companies, operating through regional membership meetings, working groups, and an interim secretariat. The core service is the partnership infrastructure itself—connecting consenting communities to resources and facilitating equitable climate finance flows.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Governing Principles Framework A documented framework of nine governing principles for working with forest communities, covering respect for rights, lands and resources of Indigenous Peoples and local communities; Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC); participation and grievance mechanisms; fair and equitable revenue sharing; good governance; positive impact on livelihoods and biodiversity; high-quality practices; spirit of collaboration; and international and local obligations. The principles were authored and endorsed by Indigenous and local community representatives.
• Climate Finance Facilitation Service A convening service that facilitates direct climate finance flows from private sector investors, carbon credit buyers, and donors to Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendants through community-based forest conservation and carbon projects. Operates through direct dialogues between IPLCs, carbon project developers, and funders.
• Knowledge Exchange on Carbon Markets A training program providing capacity building on carbon markets, project development, and Indigenous rights for Indigenous Peoples and local community members, including a Knowledge Exchange event for Asia held in Chiang Mai in September 2024 co-organized with RECOFTC, AIPP, TEBTEBBA, and UNDP.

Quantifiable outcome

• $20 billion annually by 2030 targeted in climate finance mobilization
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• RECOFTCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Co-funded and co-organized Knowledge Exchange on Carbon Markets and Indigenous Peoples in Asia (Chiang Mai, September 2024).
• Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Co-organized Knowledge Exchange on Carbon Markets and Indigenous Peoples in Asia, September 2024 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
• TEBTEBBAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Co-organized Knowledge Exchange on Carbon Markets and Indigenous Peoples in Asia, September 2024 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Co-organized Knowledge Exchange on Carbon Markets and Indigenous Peoples in Asia, September 2024 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
• COICA (Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon River Basin)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Represents 511 Indigenous communities across the Amazon. Joined the partnership in August 2024.
• Fauna & FloramajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Co-organized session at London Climate Action Week on carbon and biodiversity finance supporting community rights. Working with civil society and government partners in Liberia.
• Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Co-organized session at London Climate Action Week on community rights and climate finance.
• Cuencas Sagradas AmazónicasmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Organization working to protect sacred headwaters and Amazonian territories in Ecuador and Peru.
• SystemicamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023First company member to join the partnership in November 2023.
• IPACC (Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Network representing 135 indigenous peoples' organizations in 21 African countries - the largest indigenous peoples' network in the world. Joined March 2023.
• Ixtlán de Juárez CommunitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Indigenous community in Oaxaca State, Mexico with FSC-certified forests. Joined March 2023.
• Community-Based Biosynergy Management (CBBM)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Community conservation group in Cameroon focused on indigenous-led projects using indigenous knowledge.
• Banyang-MBO Landscape Forest Management AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Landscape forest management association in Cameroon working to improve livelihoods through forest management.
• Tribes and Nature DefendersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Indigenous-led NGO in the Philippines supporting tribal communities in forest protection.
• CONFENIAE (Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas de la Amazonia Ecuatoriana)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Indigenous organization from Ecuadorian Amazon. Accepted as member at COP27 Second General Assembly in November 2022.
• CONAP (Confederación de Nacionalidades Amazónicas del Perú)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Indigenous organization from Peru representing Amazonian nationalities. Accepted as member at COP27 Second General Assembly.
• Sacred Headwaters InitiativemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Initiative from Ecuador and Perú working to protect sacred headwaters of the Amazon. Accepted as member at COP27.
• Fundación PachamamamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022NGO from Ecuador working on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of local communities. Accepted as member at COP27.
• OPIAC (National Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Founding member representing indigenous peoples in the Colombian Amazon. OPIAC has a seat on the Interim Executive Committee with 50% representation by Indigenous Peoples' organizations.
• AMPB (Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Founding member - alliance of indigenous peoples and local communities protecting the largest forested areas from Panama to Mexico. Has seat on Interim Executive Committee.
• RECOFTCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Founding member and host of the Partnership secretariat. Provides organizational infrastructure and expertise in community forestry in Asia.
• Forest TrendscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Founding member and currently serves as the secretariat (NGO Forest Trends). Provides climate policy expertise and manages membership applications.
• CIPRED (Center for Indigenous Peoples' Research and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Founding member from Nepal working on recognition of Indigenous knowledge and customary institutions for sustainable forest management.
• Wildlife WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Founding member - carbon project developer. Has facilitated financing deal with Hartree to develop 20 community-based forest conservation projects generating $2 billion investment.
• EverlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Founding member - carbon project developer and marketing company focused on forest conservation projects.
• GreenCollarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Founding member - environmental markets company supporting carbon and biodiversity projects.
• COP26 Launch PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Partnership announced at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, with founding members signing Constitution Act in Washington DC in June 2022.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RECOFTC: Founder of PFP and host of its Bangkok secretariat. RECOFTC is a Thailand-headquartered NGO specializing in community forestry in Asia, directly comparable in mission, geography, and convening role, and provides PFP's operational backbone.
• Forest Trends: Founder and current secretariat host of Peoples Forests Partnership. Forest Trends is a US-based NGO that incubates and operates market-based mechanisms to conserve forests, with directly overlapping mission on community-based forestry finance, FPIC safeguards, and convening IPLC and corporate stakeholders.
• Fauna & Flora International: UK-based conservation NGO and active PFP partner (co-organized London Climate Action Week session). Directly comparable in mission and convening role, with overlapping geographies in Africa and Latin America.
• Rainforest Foundation Norway: Norwegian NGO that channels climate and conservation funding to IPLCs and was cited as a source for the "less than 1%" statistic in PFP's materials. Highly comparable in targeting Indigenous-led forest protection and rights-based funding flows.
• Everland: Founder of PFP and carbon-project developer/marketer focused on high-integrity, community-based forest carbon. Highly comparable in business model (community-led carbon project origination) and customer base.
• Wildlife Works: Founder and PFP anchor carbon-project developer. Wildlife Works operates community-based forest conservation and REDD+ projects globally, with overlapping customer base (IPLCs, corporate carbon buyers) and a foundational role in PFP's $2B Hartree pipeline.
• Resources for the Future (RRI): Coalition focused on Indigenous and community land rights, with directly overlapping convening function for forest communities and policy advocacy. Gustavo Sanchez of PFP sits on RRI's board.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Global environmental NGO with significant forest-conservation programs and large-scale climate-finance vehicles (e.g., NatureVest). Overlaps with PFP on rights-based forest conservation and natural climate solutions but serves a broader geographic and thematic mandate.
• Conservation International: Large established environmental NGO with global programs on forests, biodiversity, and climate finance. Operates overlapping capabilities (conservation finance, Indigenous partnerships) but as a much broader portfolio player rather than a rights-based IPLC-focused convening platform.

Regional players

• GreenCollar: Founder of PFP and one of Australia's largest environmental markets companies developing carbon and biodiversity projects. Comparable in project-development role within PFP's ecosystem, though primarily operating in Australia rather than the tropical geographies where PFP concentrates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/peoplesforestspartnership
• Facebookfacebook.com/peoplesforestspartnership
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/peoples-forests-partnership
• Instagraminstagram.com/peoplesforests

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Peoples Forests Partnership