Supporting smallholders in the forest sector to work sustainably

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up 80–90% of forest enterprises in most timber-producing countries. These MSMEs play a key role in rural economies, generate jobs and can be part of the solution to reducing deforestation and forest degradation. Under its Forest Smallholders Project, the European Forest Institute (EFI) is supporting wood-based MSMEs in four Mekong countries to operate legally and sustainably.

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Countries where we work

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Testing solutions in our pilots

Promoting gender equality

Gender equality through women’s economic empowerment and participation is enshrined in the national regulatory and policy frameworks of Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. These national frameworks are the countries’ efforts to fulfill binding obligations and voluntary commitments to various international standards.

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Publications

Wood waste products displayed at a fair in Attapeu.Manivone Viengsay

Empowering women to turn wood waste into products in Attapeu, Lao PDR

EFI provided training to small-scale wood processing enterprises in Attapeu, Lao PDR on how to upcycle wood waste into useful products, to increase incomes and reduce environmental impacts. Women in the industry were also given gender awareness and leadership training.

Promoting gender equality among micro and small enterprises in the wood-processing industry – findings and recommendations from Viet Nam

Gender analysis of two villages in Viet Nam that produce furniture and other timber products. The analysis is aimed to micro- and small-scale wood processors to identify opportunities for gender-related activities.
Monruedee Taemduem poses next to the tree she tagged.Somporn Khongthanakrittakorn

The road to equal opportunities in Thailand’s forest sector: Women engage in tree planting and timber processing for sustainable livelihoods

A training organised by the Forest Smallholders Project of the European Forest Facility (EFI) in a small village of the Lampang Province north of Thailand has provided women with the skills they need to engage in family timber businesses and play more diverse roles, thereby contributing to more sustainable livelihoods.

Resources

Training materials

Good Manufacturing Practices

Good Manufacturing Practices can increase the competitiveness and resilience of MSMEs and provide incentives for them to adopt legal and sustainable sourcing and processing practices. Good Manufacturing Practices enable MSMEs to achieve continuous business operations.

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Good Manufacturing Practices

Good Manufacturing Practices can increase the competitiveness and resilience of MSMEs and provide incentives for them to adopt legal and sustainable sourcing and processing practices. Good Manufacturing Practices enable MSMEs to achieve continuous business operations.

News

Events

Strengthening the ability of smallholders in the Mekong region forest sector to operate legally and sustainably

This event will bring to life experiences and lessons learned from tackling the challenges smallholders face to operate legally and sustainably in the forest sector in the Mekong region. The event will explore ways to strengthen the technical and operational skills of smallholders and create an enabling environment for them to contribute to forest governance, rural livelihoods and gender equality.

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Strengthening the ability of smallholders in the Mekong region forest sector to operate legally and sustainably

This event will bring to life experiences and lessons learned from tackling the challenges smallholders face to operate legally and sustainably in the forest sector in the Mekong region. The event will explore ways to strengthen the technical and operational skills of smallholders and create an enabling environment for them to contribute to forest governance, rural livelihoods and gender equality.
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About the Forest Smallholders Project

Since 2016, the European Forest Institute (EFI) has been supporting wood-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in four Mekong countries to operate legally and sustainably. Under its Forest Smallholders Project, EFI has been testing solutions to MSMEs’ key challenges in pilot projects. Lessons learnt from these pilots are documented and disseminated nationally, regionally and internationally. Through its support to MSMEs, the Project promotes gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in the forest sector.

Disclaimer

This website has been produced with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of the authors and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of funding organisations.