The Gaia Foundation is an international non-government organisation (NGO) based in London. Its mission is the protection of cultural and biological diversity, and democracy.

Amazonia: Indigenous Peoples & Tropical Rainforests

Amazonia is one of the greatest areas of cultural and biological diversity. Gaia began work there when they were invited by Chico Mendes, a famous rubber tapper leader who was later assassinated, and Ailton Krenak, a well known indigenous leader, to form an "affectionate alliance" with them.

Since then Gaia has formed an alliance with indigenous groups in Colombia through the COAMA (Consolidation of the Amazon Region) Programme which has now been running for 11 years. The COAMA programme last year won the Right Livelihood Award for "Vision and Work forming an essential contribution to making life more whole, healing our planet and uplifting humanity".

Protecting and Defending Biodiversity against Global Trade Forces

In the mid 1990's the corporate interests in biodiversity intensified as the coincidence of Genetic Engineering capacity and the formation of the World Trade Organisation claimed to be the new global government. It became clear that this commercial hegemony over people and the planet's biodiversity needed to be challenged.

African negotiators have taken on this challenge, and over the last few years have worked together as a continent to develop common positions at international forums such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the World Trade Organisation , to protect biological diversity and people's democratic control of their lives and resources. Other developing countries have aligned behind Africa. Throughout this process Gaia has been working on a programme of activities to support this.