A key aim of COPLA is to address the effect of trade policies on those who are socially excluded.

Scholars have suggested that indigenous social mobilization in Latin America has largely been a result of shifting citizenship regimes, from corporatist to neo-liberal, in which a lack of state capacity has resulted in a loss of indigenous peoples’ rights to social support and their subsequent reactions. Variation in levels of indigenous mobilization among countries has then been attributed to a country’s unique historical factors such as a lack of resources, a country’s undemocratic context, or an absence of political entrepreneurship to make an ethnic identity politically salient.

In this article the authors highlight the extent to which indigenous peoples are losing economic and social ground as a consequence of globalisation. Both academic researchers and indigenous organizations show that market-driven global processes are increasing environmental deterioration and poverty in indigenous communities.

In this article the authors highlight the extent to which indigenous peoples are losing economic and social ground as a consequence of globalisation. Both academic researchers and indigenous organizations show that market-driven global processes are increasing environmental deterioration and poverty in indigenous communities.

Both COPLA Nicaragua and Bolivia address the use of natural resources by the poor. While it is recognised that their participation in the value chain is important, it is also true that this does not guarantee success for those involved. It is also the case that a wide range of policies are necessary to develop the systems, competencies and skills that are conducive to the poor successfully participating of community based forestry and the trade of forest-related products. A recent paper from ODI Natural Resoruces Perspective by Benno Pokorny and James Johnson suggests the following: