Visual Stories of Sustainability Across Continents:
A SAFE Journey
This exhibition in the context of the Altamira Summit in November 2025 presents a collection of 32 photographs from Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Zambia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Indonesia — countries actively engaged in the SAFE project.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The SAFE DR Congo project works in the Yangambi, Virunga and the Kahuzi-Biega National Parks (amongst others) to promote sustainable agricultural practices, minimize forest degradation, and prevent deforestation, specifically around protected forest ecosystems.
The Focus is on increasing sustainable agricultural practices for value chains, like cocoa, coffee and natural rubber, resulting in strengthened business relations for farmers based on increased trust, transparency and sustainability starting at the production
point of supply chains. The following pictures show the beauty of the ecosystem and the resilience of its people.
A view over a stretch of the Congo Basin Forest in Yangambi, seen from the CongoFlux tower. The 55m high tower is the first of its kind in the globally-important Congo Basin Forest. It is equipped with an array of sensors that monitor a range of atmospheric parameters in real time, to measure the net exchange of greenhouse gases between the broader forest ecosystem and the atmosphere.
Nyani Quarmyne/GIZ
A view over a stretch of the Congo Basin Forest in Yangambi, seen from the CongoFlux tower. The 55m high tower is the first of its kind in the globally-important Congo Basin Forest. It is equipped with an array of sensors that monitor a range of atmospheric parameters in real time, to measure the net exchange of greenhouse gases between the broader forest ecosystem and the atmosphere.
Nyani Quarmyne/GIZ
Esperance Masika works at Copack in Beni, drying and processing cocoa beans, North Kivu, DRC, 2024.
Hugh Kinsella Cunningham / Virunga Foundation
Esperance Masika works at Copack in Beni, drying and processing cocoa beans, North Kivu, DRC, 2024.
Hugh Kinsella Cunningham / Virunga Foundation
Washing stations of the “Coopérative de Café Sélectionné de Kalehe” (COCASKA) participating in the Best of Congo Coffee Quality Cooperative Competition taken by CongoAgri Platform in June 2025, Kalehe, DRC, 2025.
CongoAgri
Washing stations of the “Coopérative de Café Sélectionné de Kalehe” (COCASKA) participating in the Best of Congo Coffee Quality Cooperative Competition taken by CongoAgri Platform in June 2025, Kalehe, DRC, 2025.
CongoAgri
Forests shelter countless species, including us humans and this gorilla family in the Virunga National park.
Brent Stirton/Virunga
Forests shelter countless species, including us humans and this gorilla family in the Virunga National park.
Brent Stirton/Virunga
Cameroon
SAFE Cameroon aims to raise awareness among the public and the private sector about the EUDR and its importance for future exports from Cameroon to the EU market. Amongst various work streams the aim is to include marginalized communities into sustainable cocoa value chains.
Once forest dwellers, now at the forest’s edge, the Baka people navigate a fragile balance between tradition and survival. The following pictures trace their enduring bond with the forest, the quiet dignity of daily life, and the weight of displacement.
Jeanne Nomo, the matriarch of a Baka family, with other family members en route to plant crops near Akom in the South region of Cameroon. They intend to plant cocoa seedlings as well as food crops, and will harvest the latter while waiting for the cocoa trees to mature. August 2025.
Nyani Quarmyne/ GIZ
René Etoa Moto bagging cocoa beans that had been drying in the sun in Akom in the South region of Cameroon. They will be stored overnight to avoid the risk of theft or getting wet from rain, and returned to continue drying the following day. August 2025
Nyani Quarmyne/ GIZ
René Etoa Moto bagging cocoa beans that had been drying in the sun in Akom in the South region of Cameroon. They will be stored overnight to avoid the risk of theft or getting wet from rain, and returned to continue drying the following day. August 2025
Nyani Quarmyne/ GIZ
Etienne Mopolo, a Baka community elder, addressing the ancestors before leading visitors into a sacred forest in Assok in the South region of Cameroon.
Nyani Quarmyne/ GIZ
Marie Eboutou, a member of a Baka family, amidst her cassava crop. Shifting cultivation is practiced.
Nyani Quarmyne/ GIZ
Indonesia
In Indonesia, the SAFE project cooperates closely with the private sector and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) promoting sustainability in palm oil, natural rubber, and cocoa commodities. SAFE has fostered equitable partnerships between smallholders and supply chain actors. Through co-creating solutions and leveraging investment from private sector, the SAFE project showcases models for an inclusive transition to sustainable and legal, production.
The following pictures show the delicate balance between forest protection and farmers livelihoods in the natural rubber value chain in Southern Sumatra.
A view from the Wan Abdul Rachman Forest Park in Lampung, southern Sumatra, Indonesia. According to Sumisno, head of the Wanakarya Farmers’ Association, many areas that are now part of the forest park have in the past been used for agriculture and completely deforested.
When the forest park was established in 1998, the farmers and the Department of Forestry began working together to find a balance between conservation and farmers’ needs. The area is now classified as a “social forestry” zone, in which the community may farm in agroforests and harvest non-timber forest products, like natural rubber, cocoa, or coffee, but may not cut trees or cause further deforestation. Thanks to the reforestation work, water sources that were running dry now serve farming communities.
Nyani Quarmyne / GIZ
A view from the Wan Abdul Rachman Forest Park in Lampung, southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
According to Sumisno, head of the Wanakarya Farmers’ Association, many areas that are now part of the forest park have in the past been used for agriculture and completely deforested.
When the forest park was established in 1998, the farmers and the Department of Forestry began working together to find a balance between conservation and farmers’ needs. The area is now classified as a “social forestry” zone, in which the community may farm in agroforests and harvest non-timber forest products, like natural rubber, cocoa, or coffee, but may not cut trees or cause further deforestation. Thanks to the reforestation work, water sources that were running dry now serve farming communities.
Nyani Quarmyne / GIZ
Yarmiatun preparing to depart her home in Bogorejo in southern Sumatra, Indonesia, for her and her husband’s nearby rubber farm.
Nyani Quarmyne / GIZ, October 2025
Yarmiatun preparing to depart her home in Bogorejo in southern Sumatra, Indonesia, for her and her husband’s nearby rubber farm.
Nyani Quarmyne / GIZ, October 2025
Yarmiatun in a shaft of sunlight on her and her husband’s rubber farm near Bogorejo in southern Sumatra, Indonesia. She says they have approximately one hectare of land planted with 500 rubber trees, and 400 coffee trees on a further half acre. Their income is split roughly 50/50 between the two crops.
Nyani Quarmyne / GIZ, October 2025
Yarmiatun in a shaft of sunlight on her and her husband’s rubber farm near Bogorejo in southern Sumatra, Indonesia. She says they have approximately one hectare of land planted with 500 rubber trees, and 400 coffee trees on a further half acre. Their income is split roughly 50/50 between the two crops.
Nyani Quarmyne / GIZ, October 2025
A drop of latex falling from a spigot on a rubber tree on a farm belonging to Yarmiatun and her husband near Bogorejo in southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Nyani Quarmyne / GIZ, October 2025
A drop of latex falling from a spigot on a rubber tree on a farm belonging to Yarmiatun and her husband near Bogorejo in southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Nyani Quarmyne / GIZ, October 2025
Peru
To promote a just transition toward sustainable, deforestation-free value chains SAFE Peru strengthens public policies that support sustainable agricultural practices, formalizes land tenure through agroforestry systems, provides access to services and markets for small-scale producers, and improves the competitiveness of the agricultural sector by facilitating access to international markets. For this, SAFE Peru cooperates at local level in the Amazon regions of Huánuco, Ucayali, Pasco and Junín. They also work with private sector stakeholders, especially with exporting companies and cooperatives in cocoa and coffee value chains. The following pictures show forest guardians, cocoa production and precious landscapes.
A group of cocoa farmers standing on their plot in the sunshine in Satipo, Peru, 2024.
Luis Carrera / GIZ
A group of cocoa farmers standing on their plot in the sunshine in Satipo, Peru, 2024.
Luis Carrera / GIZ
A guardian of the forest in the Comunidad Nativa de Yamino, Ucayali, Peru. 2023.
Gino Zúñiga / GIZ
A guardian of the forest in the Comunidad Nativa de Yamino, Ucayali, Peru. 2023.
Gino Zúñiga / GIZ
A farmer harvesting coffee in Oxapampa, Peru. 2019.
Diego Pérez / GIZ
A farmer harvesting coffee in Oxapampa, Peru. 2019.
Diego Pérez / GIZ
The spirit of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest seen from the sky, San Martín, Peru. 2019.
Diego Pérez / GIZ
The spirit of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest seen from the sky, San Martín, Peru. 2019.
Diego Pérez / GIZ
Ecuador
SAFE Ecuador promotes sustainable production by supporting national and local initiatives, strengthening smallholder farmers of cocoa, coffee, and palm oil, and ensuring deforestation-free practices. It implements traceability systems and due diligence pilots to meet EUDR requirements while building national expertise through training and capacity development. Partnerships with European buyers connect small producers to international markets and enhance production capacities in the northern Amazon region, with the aim to ensure long term sustainability. The following pictures show the work in a cocoa cooperative.
Two women from the “Asociación Sinchi Chakra Warmi” dry cocoa beans in Ecuador, September 2024, showing the dedicated work behind sustainable cocoa production.
GIZ
Two women from the “Asociación Sinchi Chakra Warmi” dry cocoa beans in Ecuador, September 2024, showing the dedicated work behind sustainable cocoa production.
GIZ
As a young member of the “Asociación Oriente San Carlos” in Ecuador, Ingrid underlines the need to advance gender equality and foster the meaningful inclusion of women and youth in value chains.
GIZ
Ingird Valencia and Gonzalo, members of the “Asociación Oriente San Carlos” planting new cocoa in Ecuador in September 2024.
GIZ
Ingird Valencia and Gonzalo, members of the “Asociación Oriente San Carlos” planting new cocoa in Ecuador in September 2024.
GIZ
Marcia Taboada of the “Asociación Oriente San Carlos” in Ecuador, September 2024. Marcia explains that the ToT on EUDR and traceability has strengthened her understanding of EU regulations and supports efforts to improve cocoa quality and traceability to access European markets.
GIZ
Marcia Taboada of the “Asociación Oriente San Carlos” in Ecuador, September 2024. Marcia explains that the ToT on EUDR and traceability has strengthened her understanding of EU regulations and supports efforts to improve cocoa quality and traceability to access European markets.
GIZ
Brazil
The SAFE Brazil project operates in the Transamazon and Xingu region, within the municipality of Altamira in the state of Pará. Its goal is to promote the sustainability of local supply chains, particularly cocoa and cattle ranching, by strengthening regularization and legality in production, improving market access and value addition, promoting traceability systems, encouraging forest ecosystem preservation, and facilitating access to finance. The project works closely with families of local producers living in agrarian reform settlements. The following photos highlight the landscape and the farming communities of Altamira.
Amazon rainforest and the Xingu River in Altamira, Pará, Brazil, 2025.
El-Elyon Monteiro / GIZ
Amazon rainforest and the Xingu River in Altamira, Pará, Brazil, 2025.
El-Elyon Monteiro / GIZ
Ear-tagged cattle in the field.
El-Elyon Monteiro / GIZ
Ear-tagged cattle in the field.
El-Elyon Monteiro / GIZ
Man harvesting cocoa in agroforestry system.
El-Elyon Monteiro / GIZ
Man harvesting cocoa in agroforestry system.
El-Elyon Monteiro / GIZ
João and Jiovana, founders of Cacau Xingu cholocate brand, in a greenhouse with cocoa beans.
El-Elyon Monteiro / GIZ
João and Jiovana, founders of Cacau Xingu cholocate brand, in a greenhouse with cocoa beans.
El-Elyon Monteiro / GIZ
Uganda
SAFE Uganda aims to support Ugandan coffee producers in meeting the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The project focuses on awareness raising, promoting sustainable agricultural practices for coffee productivity and forest conservation, strengthening capacities for scaling up traceability systems, facilitating business linkages and financing. Furthermore, it supports multistakeholder partnerships and platforms to develop sustainable policies and knowledge exchange. The following pictures show the coffee production in Central Uganda.
Raw coffee beans from Uganda, freshly harvested — the first step from farm to cup.
Malik Farouq / GIZ
Raw coffee beans from Uganda, freshly harvested — the first step from farm to cup.
Malik Farouq / GIZ
A member of the NUCAFE Factory holds raw coffee beans in Uganda, May 2025.
Malik Farouq / GIZ
Mr. Simon Akena walks among the coffee plantations during a visit to the Central Coffee Farmers Association in Uganda, May 2025.
Malik Farouq / GIZ
Mr. Simon Akena walks among the coffee plantations during a visit to the Central Coffee Farmers Association in Uganda, May 2025.
Malik Farouq / GIZ
Lush coffee plants thrive at the Central Coffee Farmers Association, where sustainable practices meet local expertise.
Malik Farouq / GIZ
Lush coffee plants thrive at the Central Coffee Farmers Association, where sustainable practices meet local expertise.
Malik Farouq / GIZ
Zambia
The SAFE project in Zambia aims to raise public and private sector awareness of the EUDR and its relevance for future Zambian exports to the EU market. The project is working with smallholder farmers and communities to promote sustainable agricultural practices, minimise forest degradation, and prevent deforestation.
The project is taking an integrated landscape approach, fostering collaboration among various stakeholders and prioritising environmental considerations. SAFE strengthens Zambia’s preparedness in the soy value chains for potential exports to EU markets. The following pictures show forest protectors, alternative livelihoods and soy production.
Beehives hung in the Community Forestry Areas in Mumbwa district.
Luke Katemba / GIZ
Beehives hung in the Community Forestry Areas in Mumbwa district.
Luke Katemba / GIZ
Honorary Forestry officers on graduating day before being commissioned to implement their work.
COMACO
Honorary Forestry officers on graduating day before being commissioned to implement their work.
COMACO
Ms Racheal, Soy Farmer in Zambia.
Luke Katemba / GIZ
Raw soya in the hands of one of the lead farmers, Ms Racheal.
Luke Katemba / GIZ
Raw soya in the hands of one of the lead farmers, Ms Racheal.
Luke Katemba / GIZ
