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Read the latest news from the Forest Smallholders Project about stories, events, trainings and other activities in the pilots in Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.

News

Read the latest news from the Forest Smallholders Project about stories, events, trainings and other activities in the pilots in Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Rujinaree Ar-lai shows her wood lamp product made from wood waste.Konwilai Wongyoth

Championing gender equality in the small-scale forest sector

On this year's Women's Day, the Forest Smallholders Project is highlighting the importance of gender equality in the small-scale forest sector. Gender equality is a crucial factor in creating a sustainable and equal future.
Husband and wife displaying their products at a trade fair, Lao PDR.Khamphoui Saythala

Promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in the Mekong region’s small-scale forest sector

We have published a briefing paper to analyse how gender equality in the Mekong small-scale forest sector can be pursued through promoting women’s economic rights and empowerment
Illustration showing OHS challenges for MSMEs in the wood industryWilfredo Elis / European Forest Institute

Improving occupational health and safety among micro, small and medium wood processing enterprises

We have published a technical briefing to introduce OHS in the context of the wood-processing industry, describing challenges faced by MSMEs and sharing training recommendations based on our experience in the Mekong region.

Legality in the forest sector: New insights into obstacles and incentives for MSME formalisation

In a new joint report, the FAO-EU FLEGT Programme and the European Forest Institute (EFI) make a case for acknowledging the complex circumstances of forest-sector MSMEs, particularly in countries where requirements for legality compliance and achieving formal status are unclear.

MSMEs important partner to improve forest governance and reducing deforestation and forest degradation

To better understand strategies to support MSMEs towards goals, the FAO-EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Programme and the European Forest Institute (EFI) hosted a webinar entitled ‘How has supporting MSMEs to operate legally and sustainably improved forest governance and livelihoods?’.

Webinar to explore how support to MSMEs improves forest governance and livelihoods

MSMEs play a critical role in meeting the growing demand for timber products worldwide. In an upcoming webinar, the FAO-EU FLEGT Programme and the European Forest Institute (EFI) will host a discussion on how support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can improve forest governance and livelihoods.

COVID-19 takes a heavy toll on Myanmar’s wood-based micro and small businesses

MSMEs are the backbone of Myanmar’s economy. They constitute 99% of formally registered enterprises, and generate significant livelihood and employment opportunities. But the pandemic has had severe impacts on customer demand, revenue, finances, workers and the availability and distribution of raw materials.

Supporting forest- and timber-based MSMEs in the Mekong region to operate legally and sustainably

A new brief describes the approach adopted by the European Forest Institute (EFI) over the last five years to support forest- and timber-based MSMEs in the Mekong region to operate legally and sustainably. The publication highlights the challenges and solutions tested, and lessons learnt from EFI’s interventions.
Mangkol Wandee measures a treeSomporn Khongthanakrittakorn, European Forest Institute

Trees give small farmers in Thailand access to loans

The EU FLEGT Facility has published a story describing how farmers in Thailand are starting to reap the benefits from international timber trade talks between Thailand and the European Union. Until recently, forest laws put limitations on farmers around the harvesting and transportation of certain tree species.
Agus Djailani, European Forest Institute

Old wood becomes a source of legal timber in Thailand

Reclaimed timber is contributing to Thailand’s local economy and becoming an important livelihoods source. Timber from old houses that have come to the end of their lifecycle are being bought by traders and turned into a thriving business.

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.