Under the umbrella of the Social Forestry Programme that is currently being implemented in Central Sulawesi, FORCLIME is working with the Provincial Forestry Service, including Forest Management Units (KPH), to develop a mentoring model for Forest Farmers Groups (KTH), Social Forestry Business Groups (KUPS) and Small and Medium Enterprises (UMKM). This mentoring is being undertaken by KPH staff and is being directed so that KTH/KUPS/UMKM will ultimately be able to develop their businesses sustainably, thus boosting family incomes.

In order to ensure that KPH staff possess adequate competence in assisting and developing KTH/KUPS/UMKM businesses, the Central Sulawesi Provincial Forestry Service, in conjunction with FORCLIME, held a training session titled Training in Basic Business Development from 21 – 24 February 2023 at the Central Sulawesi Provincial Forestry office. The objective of the training was to provide knowledge on business development, as undertaken by forest farmers groups. In this regard, participants were presented with input on: (1) Group management, (2) Development of business ideas, (3) Value chain analysis, (4) Market surveys, (5) Canvas business models, (6) Marketing, (7) Production planning, (8) Distribution of tasks, (9) Business licensing, and (10) Preparation of business plans. The training session was attended by 21 participants who were representing the Forestry Service (one person), as well as 13 KPH staff members (representing 13 KPH in Central Sulawesi) and eight representatives from six Forest Farmer Groups/Social Forestry Business Groups operating in Central Sulawesi Province.

In the wake of this training session, the participants are now set to receive online mentoring from March to April 2023. During this mentoring, the training team will monitor the progress of the participants, as well as the obstacles that they are facing during the preparation of business plans for their assisted groups.

For more information, please contact:
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager for Human Capacity Development
Muhammad Yusuf, Junior Advisor for Social Forestry and Sustainable Forest Management