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Enabling micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in legal timber production and trade

Transformational changes generated by the FAO-EU FLEGT Programme

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 96 p.

Author Pohnan, E.; Cammaert, B.; Cavanagh, T.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-137301-9

Series title FAO Forestry Paper

Series number No. 189

Synopsis (short abstract) Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a critical role in meeting the growing demand for forest products worldwide, with potential to contribute to responsible supply chains that combat illegal logging while promoting economic growth. However, a growing number of countries are adopting demand-side control measures that require proof of legality of forest products. Forest sector MSMEs will require significant support – and changes to the types of support they receive – to fulfil and even take advantage of these new and emerging market requirements and related opportunities. This paper draws from 110 initiatives in 20 countries supported by the FAO-EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Programme between 2016 and 2022 and seeks to provide examples of how to support forest sector MSMEs cost-effectively and at scale to integrate them into domestic and international legal timber value chains. The initiatives discussed in this paper offer a wealth of experience and knowledge, which can be capitalized upon to boost forest-dependent livelihoods and promote both social equity and sustainability within timber supply chains. Implementing a portfolio of these strategies in a comprehensive support package generate “transformational changes” that help realize the potential of MSMEs to move past traditional business-as-usual modes of operation towards sustainable growth and more inclusive, resilient economies.

Cite this content as:

Pohnan, E., Cammaert, B. and Cavanagh, T. 2022. Enabling micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in legal timber production and trade – Transformational changes generated by the FAO-EU FLEGT Programme. FAO Forestry Paper, No. 189. Rome, FAO. 


https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3107en

Language English

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