For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
A two days workshop on “Opportunities and Challenges of Promoting Forest Based Enterprise in Koshi Hill Nepal” was held on 2-3 July, 2013 in Dhankuta district, which was jointly organized by ForestAction Nepal and Rural Reconstruct Nepal (RRN). A total of 51 individuals (entrepreneurs, representatives of CSOs, MSFP staffs, representatives of financial institutions) participated in the workshop. The workshop helped to understand the challenges and opportunities of forest based enterprises in Koshi Hill districts (Dhankuta, Terathum, Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur). During workshop, various types of forest based enterprises were identified, such as private enterprises, community led but supported by private partner and private led but supported by communities. Among them some are successfully operating and others are thriving for their existence. Based on the workshop, it could be concluded that there are many possibilities and opportunities of promoting and advancing different types of forest based enterprises in Koshi Hill districts, particularly the community based enterprises to increase benefits like creating job opportunities and livelihood options for the poor and disadvantaged communities. However, different scales of supports and facilitation, both in terms of policy advocacy and practical supports such as enhancements of technology and skills, are essential. Prior to the workshop, a week-long field visit and observation of some forest based enterprises and consultation meetings with entrepreneurs and stakeholders of Terathum, Sankhuwasabha and Dhankuta districts were also conducted by ForestAction team to understand the existing scenario of enterprises.