Join us for the launch of 'Enabling micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in legal timber production and trade: Transformational changes generated by the FAO-EU FLEGT Programme'

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 for forest products. Forest sector MSMEs will require significant support – and changes to the types of support they receive – to fulfil and take advantage of these new and emerging market requirements and related opportunities.

Between 2016 and 2022, the FAO-EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Programme supported 110 initiatives in 20 countries between 2016 and 2022, which sought to enable MSMEs to supply legal timber to domestic and international markets. Programme analysis has revealed that each of these initiatives adopted one or more of seven strategies which generate “transformational changes”, representing pivotal shifts not only in the way business is done, but also in the mindset of operators towards sustainable and responsible production.

Objectives:

This webinar will present a framework for MSME engagement, introduce the seven strategies for generating change, and also:

• Present findings on why MSMEs formalize and pursue legal compliance;
• Outline the best practices for building the capacity of MSMEs;
• Identify the role of associations and their influence on MSME practices;
• Highlight the importance of integrating MSMEs into legal timber supply chains;
• Discuss how interventions can be designed to reach MSMEs at a larger scale.

Register here:

https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BadcW086TGiRLv9kVrQD8A