Options for sustainable business incubation that serve Cameroon’s community forests

Project report
, 62 pages
PDF (1.17 MB)
13612IIED.pdf
Language:
English, Français
Published: September 2019
Area(s):
Product code:13612IIED

This report explores options for sustainable forest-business incubation in Cameroon, where the concept of community forestry (CF) has been enshrined in law for the last 20 years. Yet CF is failing to achieve its goals of sustainable forest management and community development, as communities struggle to comply with complex bureaucracy and associated high costs.Forest-business incubation could revitalise CF, by supporting and accelerating the successful development of sustainable businesses in forest landscapes. But to succeed, practical priorities must be addressed. A national approach promoting CF is required, including promoting and developing clusters of existing CF groups and cooperatives. Also key are value-chain analyses and performance-based rewards for positive CF market outcomes , and a network of progressive private-sector buyers. Government ministries such as MINEPAT must adopt a stronger role and promote links between CF business-incubation services and REDD+, Bonn Challenge, AFR100, and FLEGT. A vital first step is to establish clear leadership for community forest-business incubation by a credible, well-known donor organisation or technical partner.

Cite this publication

Mbile, P. and Macqueen, D. (2019). Options for sustainable business incubation that serve Cameroon’s community forests. .
Available at https://www.iied.org/13612iied