Winrock International joins Accountability Framework initiative to advance ethical, deforestation-free supply chains
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Aug. 27, 2025 — Winrock International has joined the Accountability Framework initiative as a delivery partner, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to helping companies build supply chains that are environmentally sustainable and respectful of human rights.
The AFi is a global coalition of more than 20 environmental and social nongovernmental organizations working to eliminate human rights abuses, deforestation and ecosystem conversion from supply chains. Launched in 2019, the initiative provides a comprehensive framework for companies to set goals, take action and monitor progress toward ethical sourcing of deforestation-risk commodities. As a delivery partner, Winrock will support businesses in applying the Framework to their operations, helping them address environmental and social risks in agriculture and forestry supply chains.
“Joining the Accountability Framework initiative aligns perfectly with Winrock’s mission to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources,” said Colin Quinn, portfolio director for Winrock’s Environment & Climate group. “We’re excited to bring our deep expertise in climate change mitigation, resilient agriculture and combatting trafficking and child labor to help companies build supply chains that are both sustainable and equitable.”
Winrock offers tailored advisory services across responsible sourcing, human rights due diligence, responsible recruitment, grievance remediation, regenerative agriculture, nature-based solutions, and climate resilience and mitigation. Winrock’s integrated approach is rooted in more than four decades of field experience in collaborative implementation of agriculture, economic development, environment and clean energy, and human and fair labor and social capital projects in the U.S. and around the world.
As a trusted delivery partner with AFi, Winrock will support companies working to set and achieve supply chain goals that are aligned with the Framework, including:
- Conduct commodity-specific benchmarking and sourcing area risk profiling;
- Guide the development of responsible sourcing policies and public commitments;
- Provide training and stakeholder engagement across supply chains;
- Establish grievance mechanisms and remediation measures; and
- Present partnership options based on supply chain analyses.
“This partnership builds on Winrock’s vast experience as one of the world’s leading implementers of survivor-focused counter-trafficking work and other human rights programming,” said Stephanie Lillegard, portfolio director of Winrock’s Human Rights & Empowerment group. “We also bring a strong track record advising some of the world’s largest food service companies on both ethical supply chains and GHG emissions reduction and accounting. By integrating the Accountability Framework into our work, we’re helping companies take meaningful action to protect both people and the planet.”
Winrock will also contribute to the ongoing evolution of the Framework by sharing insights from its work and collaborating with other partners to refine best practices.
For more information about the Accountability Framework initiative, visit https://accountability-framework.org.
Contacts:
Stephanie Lillegard, portfolio director for Human Rights & Empowerment: Stephanie.Lillegard@winrock.org
Matt Silveira, associate director of Sustainability Services: Matt.Silveira@winrock.org