Social Impact Evaluation of FSC Certification in Brazil

This technical report outlines a research project commissioned to evaluate the social impacts of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forest management certification in Brazil. The project aims to assess whether FSC certification is achieving its intended social outcomes and to identify any unintended social effects that may have arisen. It will also explore factors influencing the results and the study's limitations. The research will employ a mixed-method approach, including interviews with various stakeholders such as federal and state authorities, management units, certification bodies, and local communities, including Indigenous Peoples. The study is structured in three phases: a desk study to gather historical and contextual information, research design and implementation, and restitution of findings to relevant authorities. Key deliverables include reports on the institutional context of certification, social impacts, and peer-reviewed publications, which will support FSC's efforts to enhance its standards.