01
Rights of defenders and indigenous peoples
Promoting and protecting the rights of environmental defenders, local communities and indigenous populations.
NGO · Gabon · Since 1998
Protect the forest,
defend those who live in it.
Informing, training and supporting stakeholders for sustainable and equitable management of natural resources in Gabon and the Congo Basin.
1998
Year founded
6
Gabonese provinces
85%
Of forest territory
2009
Goldman Prize — Marc Ona
1998
Our origins
From the Koungou Falls to natural resource governance.
Brainforest is a Gabonese non-governmental organisation. Founded in 1998, its initial goal was to protect the Koungou Falls on the Ivindo River, threatened by a dam intended to power the Belinga iron ore mine.
Since then, its work has expanded to natural resource governance: forests, land tenure, transparency, community and environmental defender rights, and equitable revenue sharing.
What we do
Four pillars, one commitment: sustainable and equitable management.
02
Economic alternatives in rural areas
Supporting sustainable economic alternatives that strengthen the autonomy of forest communities.
03
Governance, law and transparency
Supporting participatory governance, law enforcement and transparency in the Forest-Environment sector.
04
Community lands and resources
Promoting community rights over land and natural resources in Gabon and the Congo Basin.
In the field
Latest projects
In progress · Estuaire — parcs d'Akanda et de Pongara
CCGL Akanda & Pongara
Strengthening local governance around national parks and improving living conditions for neighbouring communities.
Read project
Goldman Environmental Prize · 2009
“This is not a personal or Gabonese fight. It is a global battle. The future of our children is at stake.”
Marc Ona Essangui — founder, executive secretary
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