In Southeast Asia, many communities rely on forests for their daily needs – from fuel wood and food, to financial security. Also, forest products are the foundation for local economic activities. However, as the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) becomes more inter-connected regionally, forest-based goods must compete in markets at the global level. Without adapting their value chain roles to benefit from shifting market demands, these communities are at risk of being left behind.
ForInfo, a two million Euro project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, supports communities in Lao PDR, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam by linking them with existing and new markets, like ecosystem services, and assists them to maximize their profits while using their forests sustainably. At its core, ForInfo’s work generates key information with communities so they can access markets while utilizing their forests sustainably and efficiently to achieve stability in their livelihoods.
News Type:
- Feature