Event

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

Hybrid event

Location
Coex, Seoul, Korea
Date
03 May 2022
Time
12:30 – 2 pm KST
10:30 – 12 pm ICT
5:30 – 7 am CEST
Organisers
European Forest Institute
RECOFTC
Royal Forest Department of Thailand
Language
English
Downloads
Event flyer

Introduction

This event is held in the context of the World Forestry Congress 2022. It will bring to life experiences and lessons learnt from tackling the challenges micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises face to operate legally and sustainably in the forest sector in the Mekong region.

The speakers will discuss ways to strengthen the technical and operational skills of small tree growers and timber processors, and how to create an enabling environment for them to contribute to forest governance, rural livelihoods and gender equality.

The event will cover issues of scale, costs of compliance, gender equality, decent work and inclusive economic development.

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Agenda

12:30 Setting the scene by the moderator

12:35 Testing solutions to the challenges of MSMEs: lessons learned from the Mekong region.

Thomas Colonna, Forest Governance and Private Sector Expert, European Forest Institute.

12:50 Thailand’s experience supporting smallholders in the forest sector.

Boonsuthee Jeravongpanich, Technical Forestry Officer, Forest Certification Office, Royal Forest Department of Thailand.

13:05 Social and gender analysis of FLEGT on opportunities and risks for wood processing and furniture small and medium enterprises in Lao PDR.

Nathalie Faure, Senior Program Officer, Governance, Institutions and Conflict Transformation, RECOFTC.

13:20 The situation and challenges of plantation smallholders in Vietnam.

Vu Thi Bich Hop, Chair and Executive Director, The Centre for Sustainable Rural Development.

13:35 Q&A

13:55 Wrap-up by the moderator

Moderated by: Alexander Hinrichs, Head of Asia Regional Office, European Forest Institute

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

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