Amid heightening legal scrutiny, political pressure, and physical threats, the Alliance’s Legal Desk provides critical assistance to local conservation groups. These organizations face complex regulatory changes alongside risks from drug trafficking and illegal mining, creating urgent concerns for the safety of staff and their communities.

The Legal Desk is now fundamental to the operational survival of its members. By clarifying technical requirements and ensuring timely responses to new mandates, it mitigates the danger of dissolution or suspension. This specialized capacity is indispensable for smaller organizations that lack the resources to track rapidly evolving compliance standards independently.

Key milestones and upcoming priorities include:

• During Q1 2026, the Choco Alliance facilitated compliance and guidance on new UAFE regulations. Support included two 2-day workshops, virtual update sessions, and comprehensive training manuals and tutorials.

• For the second half of 2026, the strategy shifts toward Labor Laws and Data Protection requirements, featuring specific workshops on preventing gender-based violence in the workplace.

As the only reliable source of legal guidance for many members, the Alliance ensures that grassroots groups can fulfill mandatory obligations while continuing their primary mission. By providing technical assistance and solidarity, the Legal Desk enables these organizations to defend human rights and the Chocó forest despite persistent external pressures.