“It's critical to understand the real-world impacts of EU policies. Those directly affected must be heard.”- Rita Raleira, AidEnvironment

Rita Raleira is an expert in deforestation-free supply chains and policy analysis at AidEnvironment, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to drive sustainable and equitable change in supply chains.

What does the change you are trying to achieve look like? Why is the EU important?

I work on deforestation linked trade flows between producing countries in the Global South and consumer markets mostly in the Global North. I focus on sustainability solutions at the intersection of nature conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development for social transformation.

In a globalised world, making supply chains sustainable requires a comprehensive approach—from cradle to grave or farm to fork. Leveraging the influence the EU, an important end market, is key. The EU has put in place sustainability standards and policies that can drive global change and help promote greater fairness and sustainability worldwide.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) are key, and so are national initiatives such as Germany’s Supply Chain Act and France’s Duty of Vigilance Law. My research supports the drafting and the effective implementation of these laws, ensuring they are robust and have impact.

It's critical to understand the real-world impacts of these policies. Those who are directly affected must be heard, and their needs should be reflected in policy objectives. To achieve transformative and equitable change local communities must benefit.

Which challenges are you facing?

Being heard on trade justice at EU level remains a major challenge. There is a serious imbalance between civil society organisations (CSOs) and industry stakeholders—we have fewer resources and less access to key decision-makers. Reaching the right people at the right time is often difficult.

Another major challenge is the information gap. We invest a lot of effort in raising awareness and promoting justice by highlighting the impacts of EU trade policies on communities outside the EU. Many people in supply chains do not have a clear understanding of the requirements they are expected to meet. There is a need for better information exchange and dialogue to on the impact of EU decisions on actors in producing countries.

Information on legislative changes often does not reach people in the Global South. There is a  lack of support to empower local stakeholders to participate in shaping EU processes that impact them.

One tip you want to share with other public interest advocates?

Coming together, organising, and taking action in a coordinated and targeted way—especially when grounded in grassroots movements—is critical for driving meaningful change.

The EU Academy provides an insider’s perspective, practical tools for effective advocacy towards EU and national decision-makers and helps to build a network. That’s key to making an impact.