Studies reveal that more needs to be done to network small and medium forest enterprises with markets and service providers. Small forest enterprises start-ups in least developed countries are high. But keeping them going sustainably is a major challenge. PROPOSAL
| Agri-agency | Own contribution executor | Other parties | Total requested budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriterra | AOPP | ||
| € 0,00 + € 0,00 | € 0,00 | € 0,00 | € 0,00 |
| Based on FAO document in English : Reducing poverty by linking SMFEs with non-timber forest product (nfp) processes, markets and service providers (2007) Non-forest products are struggling to respond to the challenges of small and medium forest enterprises (SMFEs). These typically make up the majority of enterprises and the main source of forest employment in many countries. IIED research in 6 countries, among which Mali, and FAO-supported conferences on SMFEs in 2006 in Costa Rica and Vietnam concluded that more needs to be done to network SMFEs with markets and service providers. Small forest enterprises start-ups in least developed countries are high. But keeping them going sustainably is a major challenge. In least developed countries, support structures for forest associations either do not exist or fail to reach those who need help most. It is this lack of “connectedness” that the project addresses – based on substantial evidence of demand from partners. The Forest Connect Facility started in 2007 as an innovative three year project in order to ‘connect’ SMFEs : (i) to non-forest products processes (giving greater voice and empowering them to be heard by non-forest products) (ii) to emerging markets (by enhancing existing SMFE associations) (iii) to service providers (strengthening capacity to offer appropriate training and finance). The aim is to spread guidance and training materials on models of information services / support network that enhance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of pro-poor SMFEs. These are reflected in the project outputs mentioned below. Objectives - To develop guidance on models of flexible information services / support networks that enhance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of pro-poor small forest enterprise associations - To spread uptake of those models Expected outputs incl. development of deliverables : - Stronger national ‘Forest Connect’ information services / support networks for small forest enterprise associations. - Policy lessons and a non-forest products facility ‘toolkit’ of guidance and training materials promoting successful models of flexible support to remote small forest enterprise associations - A programme of outreach through non-forest products processes to roll out, test and revise this ‘toolkit’ across regions in which SMFEs offer a significant opportunity to reduce poverty. 2008 results in Mali FAO tries out different models of national institutional hubs for the Forest Connect facility. FAO and Sahel Eco screened possible hubs in Mali and ended with a choice to work with AOPP, as it as producers' organisation that can reach even the last village. Sahel Eco still covers for any lack in knowledge of forest products by support them on a regular basis since 2007. L'AOPP a exécuté en mai et juin 2008 l'Etude diagnostique sur les petites et moyennes enterprises forestières" (document disponible) en partenariat avec FAO et Sahel Eco. En sommaire le projet-pilote à pu réaliser : - L'identification des petites et moyennes entreprises forestières (PMEF) au Mali dans les organisations paysannes ; 6 associations et 15 coopératives sont diagnostisées. - La rencontre avec les animateurs régionaux pour les enquêtes - La capitalisation des informations collectées, par description des produits forestières non ligneux au Mal, leur utilisation, et les prix rapportés par région. - La création d’un site web Forest Connect (par l'AOPP) L'étude recommande les suivantes opportunités pour développement la commercialisation des PMEF au Mali (avec les acteurs respectives) : - Les marchés villageois hebdomadaires, les marchés des centres urbains, les foires et expositions nationales et régionales (FEBAK, SIAB) - L’existence de structures techniques d’appui pour l’émergence des produits forestiers non ligneux (Direction de la conservation de la nature), - L’existence d’institutions de financement (Kafo Jiginew, BNDA, BMS) - Les marchés sous régionaux, les foires sous régionales (FIARA). Proposal 2009 The 2009 workplan 'stratégie de mis en oeuvre des activités 2009' : lasts from June-December. It entails 14 prioritary activities, planned precisely per month, location and actors, in the 4 identified regions and the capital. Stakeholders are AOPP, Sahel Eco, DNCN, FAO (together forming the 'comité de pilotage') and the identified SMFEs. The project is coordinated by a responsable technique of AOPP who has been involved since 2007. The budget amounts to CFA 22.880.900 ~ € 34.880. FAO/CBED suggests to contributed USD 10.000 > 15.000 ~ € 7.040 > 10.560. There is no own contribution from or via AOPP foreseen. Requested budget is therefore in the range of € 24.320 > 27.840. Further information re. Forest Connect in Mali can be found at : http://www.fao.org/forestry/42297/fr/ http://www.aopp-mali.org/spip.php?article48 |
GOALS
| To substantially reduce poverty for forest-dependent people in key non-forest products facility countries by increasing the number of successful and sustainable small forest enterprise associations |