A wide range of international, national and local civil society groups are heavily involved in the cause of sustainable food production. With their hands-on work they contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and the well being of smallholder farmers in a variety of ways.

They defend the rights of local and indigenous communities and protect the environment. In all cases, their knowledge, expertise and voice are crucial to the work of the Green Commodities Programme.

Our collaboration with civil society groups is manifold and mutual. We share sector knowledge and best practices and we help each other to establish strategic connections with private companies and government institutions. For example:

• The UNDP is a member of the Tropical Forest Alliance, 
• We regularly participates in events of the World Cocoa Foundation, the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil and the ISEAL Alliance.

We also ensure all relevant civil society stakeholders play an important part in the National Commodity Platforms and the development of national plans to address the root causes of unsustainable production practices.