Livelihoods and SNV partner to empower smallholders through regenerative agriculture and agroforestry

Livelihoods Venture, social business and SNV, global development partner, have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the transition to regenerative, deforestation-free supply chains benefiting farmers, nature and businesses committed to sustainable sourcing. This aligns with the global push toward sustainable palm oil production — one that also protects biodiversity and ecosystems.

By leveraging their complementary expertise and networks, the partnership will start with inclusive and sustainable palm oil supply chains in Indonesia and expand to other commodities and landscapes across sectors and geographies.

This new partnership builds on a technical and financial model successfully co-developed and implemented by Livelihoods and SNV since 2021 in North Sumatra, Indonesia, through the Biodiverse and Inclusive Palm Oil Supply Chain (BIPOSC) project. Enabled by the Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming, the project brought together a broad coalition of partners — including independent smallholders, cooperatives, corporate buyers, philanthropic organisations, research bodies, and public and financial institutions — to strengthen sustainability across the local palm oil value chain.

The model has already supported 3,000 farmers to adopt regenerative palm practices that improve soil health, enhance biodiversity and increase incomes. Around 5,000 hectares of palm farms are now transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices. In addition, functional farm institutions have been established, enabling farmers to access high-quality organic fertiliser at affordable rates, as well as financial support to maintain household income during the palm replanting phase.

Building on these foundations, the partnership has also catalysed innovation — most notably through the launch of blended finance mechanism for independent smallholders in Sumatra in March 2025.

As part of their expanded collaboration, Livelihoods and SNV will co-develop a tailor-made regenerative palm oil solution. This initiative will support smallholders with training and incentives, restore land through future-proof practices, reduce carbon emissions, and increase carbon storage. It will also incorporate blended finance mechanisms, ensure compliance with industry standards, strengthen traceability, prevent deforestation, protect biodiversity, and include rigorous impact measurement.

Drawing on insights from North Sumatra and with input from scientific partners, Livelihoods and SNV will also publish a paper outlining a regenerative palm oil framework to guide wider industry adoption.

Eric Soubeiran, CEO of Livelihoods, said “Smallholder farmers, especially the most vulnerable, are at the heart of this partnership. With SNV, we’re scaling a successful model that links farmer livelihoods to ecosystem restoration through regenerative agroforestry, supporting them to lead the shift toward resilient and sustainable agriculture.”

Annemieke Beekmans, Director of Technical Expertise, SNV, added "Smallholder success and climate resilience are not only compatible, but mutually reinforcing. Together with Livelihoods, we’re expanding a proven model by scaling regenerative agriculture across diverse commodities and landscapes, contributing to system change and sustainable sourcing."

By bridging expertise across the agroforestry, development, financial, research, and corporate sectors, and drawing on their experience in the BIPOSC project, Livelihoods and SNV are setting a sustainable benchmark for responsible agricultural production and sourcing at scale.

About Livelihoods

Since 2009, Livelihoods has been a social business committed to transforming global agricultural supply chains and driving large-scale climate action. We work alongside farmers and rural communities to scale regenerative agriculture, improve yields, and build resilient, sustainable sourcing models that benefit both people and the planet. Beyond supply chains, Livelihoods is a pioneer in carbon finance, managing three dedicated carbon funds that restore ecosystems, expand agroforestry, and accelerate clean energy solutions. With 42 active projects, we have replanted 150 million trees and positively impacted more than 2 million people. Learn more: livelihoods.eu

About SNV

SNV is a global development partner, rooted in the African and Asian countries where we operate. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, it is our mission to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems to enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. Learn more about our work in Indonesia