Proforest is founded.
Who we are
Proforest is a unique, non-profit group. We support companies, governments, civil society and other organisations to work towards the responsible production and sourcing of agricultural and forest commodities.
Through our consultancy services, we help companies put their sustainability commitments into action, both within and beyond their own supply chains. These cover issues like protecting and restoring forests and natural ecosystems, respecting workers’ rights, advancing gender equality, and engaging with communities and indigenous people.
We also facilitate pre-competitive collaboration with peer companies and other stakeholders like governments, civil society and communities.
Our donor-funded programmes allow us to work over a longer period of time to develop an environment where companies can implement more responsible production and sourcing practices.
We work with a host of different organisations to support landscape approaches and multi-stakeholder initiatives that build common goals, address systemic issues and deliver positive outcomes at scale.
In 2020 we celebrated twenty years of Proforest. We used the opportunity to look back over the past two decades reflecting on our work and the people that made it possible. We shared these memories in reflective overview - Proforest at 20. We have also collated a timeline to some of these milestones below - just click on the arrow to expand on the date.
2000
2001
PF contributes to the Migros Criteria for environmental and social best practices for oil palm plantations, a first for the industry.
2002
Annual Training Programme launched. Over 5,000 people trained since!
2003
Edition one of the High Conservation Value Toolkit released.
2004
Proforest tasked to manage the central point of expertise on timber for the UK Government for the next 8 years.
2005
Proforest involved in the process to establish RSPO and building first iteration of its Principles and Criteria.
2006
We established the HCV Network.
2007
Facilitated the original process of developing the RSPO Principles & Criteria (P&C) and subsequent revision processes.
2008
Our Kuala Lumpur office launched - and was already delivering RSPO Lead Auditor Training Courses.
2009
The High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) Toolkit for Malaysia published by WWF-Malaysia.
2010
Proforest Initiative – charity arm to work alongside consultancy services was formed.
Ghana office opens.
2011
Brasilia office established.
2012
The Africa Practitioners Network set up.
2013
Smallholder Acceleration and REDD+ Programme (SHARP) – until 2019
2014
Proforest and EU REDD Facility publish briefings on FLEGT & REDD+ as innovative approaches to forest governance.
Proforest's approach to training changes from being UK-based to a diversified regional training programme covering more than 50 modules over a range of sectors.
2015
Cali office opens.
HCVN as independent.
A Practical Guide to Responsible Sourcing published.
2016
Gender mainstreaming strategy – internal and external
APOI launch
2017
Supporting public consultation on the Accountability Framework Initiative (AFi) in Colombia and Peru.
2018
Launch of a new guide to sustainable rubber.
2019
Mexico Holistic Programme to support the sustainable development of the Mexican palm oil sector starts - companies incl. Oleopalma becomes first RSPO certified company in Mexico.
Proforest provides technical coordination and support to the new established Palm Oil Collaboration Group and its working groups.
2020
Launch of soy toolkit – first of others
NDPE IRF launched
Proforest celebrates 20 years with a look back over the last two decades progress and the people who made it.
2021
Launch of PF Academy
HR Defenders guidance