Guyana

Supporting small forest enterprises Reports from the field

Bina Hill

Report on Forest Connect Guyana experiences

Patricia Fredericks, Vanda Radzik and Duncan Macqueen

North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB)Annai, North Rupununi, Guyana

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Table of ContentsAcronyms 1

1.Institutionalhistory 22.Activities 33.Impacts 64.Benefitsofthealliance 85.Futureprospectsandsustainability 9

References 11

AcronymsCDC CommonwealthDevelopmentCorporationCI ConservationInternationalCIDA CanadianInternationalDevelopmentAgencyDFID UnitedKingdomGovernmentDepartmentforInternationalDevelopmentEU EuropeanUnionGCP GlobalCanopyProgrammeGFC GuyanaForestryCommissionGNIFC GuyanaNationalInitiativeforForestCertificationIDB InternationalDevelopmentBankIIED InternationalInstituteforEnvironmentandDevelopmentLCDS LowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy(Guyana)MRU MakushiResearchUnitMSSC Multi-StakeholderSteeringCommittee(oftheGuyanaLCDS)NRDDB NorthRupununiDistrictDevelopmentBoardNTFP NonTimberForestProductSFM SustainableforestManagementSMFE SmallandMediumForestEnterprisesWWF WorldWideFundforNature

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1. Institutional history Guyana’sengagementwithForestConnecthasinvolvedseveralinstitutions.Thishashelpedtospreadexpertise,butalsopresentedchallengesforcontinuity.

IIEDbegantoengagewithGuyanatosupportsmallandmediumforestenterprisesin2003.TheGuyanaForestryCommission(GFC)researchdivisionwaskeentoassesstheopportunitiesandconstraintsforsuchenterprisesandagreedtoundertakeanationalsurveyofsmallandmediumforestenterprises(Thomaset al.2003).Whilemanysmallfamily-ownedtimberoperatorsexisted,therewereatthattimefewcommunityforestenterprises.Givenin-countyconcernsoverthesustainabilityandlimitedsupportoptionsforSMFEsatthattime,theGuyanaNationalInitiativeforForestCertification(GNIFC)agreedwithIIEDtoconductacomprehensivereviewoftheforestassociationsthatwereattemptingtoupgradebusinesscapacityamongtheirmembers(Ousmanet al.2006).Atthesametime,themajordistributorofchainsawloggingequipmentinGuyana,FarfanandMendesLtd,wascommissionedtoauthorananalysisoftherapidincreaseinsmall-scalelogging,itsimplicationsforforestmanagement,andpossiblepolicyoptions(MendesandMacqueen,2006).

By2007,theinternationalForestConnectallianceformedanddiscussionsinGuyanaledtotheselectionofIwokramaInternationalCentreforRainForestConservationandDevelopment(Iwokrama)asthenationalinstitutionalhubforthealliance.IwokramawishedtopursueitsmandatetobothworkwithhinterlandcommunitiesandfurthersustainableforestmanagementinGuyana,byincreasingtheorganisationandconnectednessofsmallenterprisegroups.ThevisionofthisfirstphaseofForestConnectworkwastocreateanin-countyForestConnectdirectoryofsmallforestenterprisesbackedbyanonlinedatabaseofSMFEsandtheirproducts,andatthesametimeidentifyserviceproviderswhomightbebroughtintohelpthoseenterprises.

By2008,withthewebsitedatabaseonline,asecondphaseofForestConnectworkstartedconductingvaluechainanalysis,particularlyofthecraftsector,bringingindesignerstogivetrainingindesignimprovement.Staffchanges,internalfundingissuesandpoliticalreservationoverIwokrama’sinvolvementinwhatwasconsideredGuyanaForestryCommissionterritoryledtomajordelayswiththiswork,however.Throughfurtherdiscussion,itwasagreedthatthesupportforsmallforestenterprisesshouldfocusinmorenarrowlyonautonomousAmerindianlands,withashiftinconvenorshiptotheNorthRupununiDistrictDevelopmentBoard(NRDDB).

TheNorthRupununiDistrictDevelopmentBoard(NRDDB)andthesixteenindigenousandlocalcommunitiesthatcomprisetheNRDDBhaveastandingpartnershipwiththeIwokramaInternationalCentreforRainForestConservationandDevelopment(Iwokrama),whichhadthepriorlinkwithForestConnectnotedabove.ItwasthereforethroughIwokramathatNRDDBwereconnectedwithForestConnect.NRDDBandtwoofitsownlocalinstitutionsandunitswerealsoincludedintheGuyanadirectoryofSMFEscompiledundertheIwokrama-ForestConnectpartnership.

TheNRDDBhasavitalinterestinmaintainingthegoodhealthandwisemanagementanduseofitslocallyownedforests,savannahsandwetlandsandtherichresourceswithinthese.Further,ithasininterestindoinggoodbusinesswiththeselife-sustainingresources,soastoequitablyprovideincomesanddecentlivelihoodsforourpeopleswholiveinanddependupontheseareas.ForestConnectsharesthesevaluesandofferssomesmallsupportandinternationalnetworklinkages,whichweconsidertobeveryusefulforus.Wearestillinthestart-upstageofourforestbusinessesandfacemanychallenges.WewelcomethewayForestConnectworkswithus.Wefinditaverysimple,flexibleandsuitableway,refreshinglydifferentandpracticalincomparisonwithsomeothersupportingagencies,allowingustomoveatourownpace.

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GuyanaisalsoembarkingonitsLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy(LCDS),whichisintrinsictoGuyana’sREDD+commitment.TheNRDDBsupportstheLCDSinprincipleandservesasamemberofitsMulti-StakeholderSteeringCommittee(MSSC).WearethereforekeentoadvanceourknowledgeofandbenefitsfromSustainableForestManagement(SFM),inparticularasitappliestoourcommunity-ownedandcontrolledforests.WeseethelinktoForestConnectasanimportanthelpinthistask.

2. Activities

PriortotheestablishmentofForestConnectGuyana,IIEDworkedprimarilywiththeGFC,GNIFCandFarfanandMendesLtdtogatherandspreadinformationabout(i)theexistence,opportunitiesandconstraintstoSMFEdevelopmentinGuyana;(ii)thenature,needsandopportunitiesforSMFEassociations;and(iii)governancechangesthatmightberequiredtobetterdeliversupporttoSMFEs.Thesereportswerewidelydistributedincountryandareavailableonthewebsite(seereferences).

FollowingtheestablishmentofForestConnectin2007,Iwokramahelddiscussionswith14forest-linkedassociationsand16serviceproviderstodeterminewillingnessandabilitytoparticipateintheproposedForestConnectnetwork.Aspartofanorganisationalmapping,theassociationsidentifiedtheirindividualroles,activities,products,servicesandpriorityneeds,assomeofthemainparameterstobepublicisedontheinternet.Adatabasewasconstructedaroundfourmainproductgroups:(i)eco-tourism;(ii)medicinalproducts(MakushiResearchUnit(MRU)/merisinsepo);(iii)handicraftandsewing;and(iv)timber.Themainidentifiedneedswithintheseassociationsincludedthefollowing:

Product development and marketing• Findingordevelopingmarketsfortheirproducts,includingthroughuseoftheinternet.• Developingvarietyinproductdesigns,forexample,craftandceramicsofrelevancetoconsumers.• Promotional/marketingcampaigns:includingparticipationinlocal,regionalandoverseastrade

fairs.

Business capacity building and education• Specificskillstraining:forexample,vocationalclassinsewing;artofembroidery;cookery,food

andnutrition;tourguiding;andhospitality.• Managementtraining:suchasmanagement;marketing;accounting;andtechnicalassistancein

proposalwriting.• Informationtechnologyandcomputertraining:basiccomputingskills;andwebsitedevelopment

andmanagement.

Strengthening of associations• Increasingthenumberofmembers.• Forminglinkageswithneighbouringcommunities.• Trainingintheregistrationoforganisationsandproceduresforinternalmanagement.

• Loansorgrantsforequipmentandmaterials:forexample,sewingmachinesandmaterials;

handicrafttools(smalldrills,baits,knives);boatsandenginesforruraltours;andcomputers.• Renovationorconstructionofprocessingfacilitiesfortraining,sewing,handicraftandsoon.• Transportationfromruralcommunitiestomarkets.• Computerequipment.

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Informationwascollectedon14majorGuyaneseserviceproviderstoidentifythetypesofsupportprovidedtosmallandmediumenterprisesthroughexistingprogrammes.Combinedwiththeanalysisofmajorneedsasexpressedbytheassociations,itbecameclearthatanumberofkeychallengestoSMFEsinGuyanaexisted:(i)thegeographicspreadoftheassociationsthatwashamperingbusinesssupport;(ii)theshortcomingsincommunicationinfrastructure;(iii)theinadequateorganisationofandbusinesscapacityofstaffwithintheassociationsandenterprises;(iv)theabsenceofmentoringthroughpartnershipsbetweenmoreestablishedenterprisesandthesmallbusinessesorassociations;(v)lackofmarketintelligenceastowhichtypesofproductsareindemand,pricingmechanisms,logisticfacilitationfromproductionenterprisetothemarket–especiallyoverseasmarkets;(vi)thelackofseedmoneyormicro-creditwithoutcollateral,whichwouldgiveassociationsajumpstartinenterprisedevelopment;(vii)thelackofabilitytofulfillmarketdemandonasustainedbasiswithassuredqualityandreliability;(viii)alackofapparentawarenessbythoseinauthorityanddecision-makersoftheimportanceofencouragingcommunity-basedenterprisesasawayoutofunemployment,povertyandignorance,andasamechanismforempowerment,democracy,governanceanddevelopment.

Ananalysiswasmadeofthebusinessenvironment.Thisincludedthe2004SmallBusinessAct;theNationalCompetitivenessStrategy;thevariousbodiesoflegislationspecifictotheforestsector;andguidelinesproducedbykeyagencies,suchastheSmallBusinessDevelopmentFinanceTrustandEMPRETEC.Afinalreportofphase1wasprepared,presentingkeyrecommendationstotheGuyanaForestryCommissionandthevariousgovernmentandprivatesectorbusinesssupportagencies(Ousman,2007).Theserecommendationsincludedtheneedto:

• MaintainacentralcoordinatingbodytocollectanddisseminateinformationaboutSMFEsandsupportagencies–overcomingthecurrentproblemofinformationbeingscatteredthroughoutvariousgovernmentinstitutionsandsomedonoragencies.

• Establishspecificforest-relatedinformationcentres(possiblywithinGuyanaForestryCommissionoffices)onaregionalbasis,toprovideup-to-datemarketingandtechnicalinformationtotheSMFEs.Thesewouldhavekeycontactpointsinparticipatingadjacentvillages.Agro-processingactivities,especiallyrelatedtotreesonfarms,shouldbegivenspecialattention.

• Createapermanentdesigncentreorschoolforvariousproducts,arts,crafts,andsoon.• WorkwithexistingfinancialinstitutionstodevelopappropriatecreditinstrumentsforSMFEs.• Supporttheongoingtechnologicaldevelopmentforonlineproductsales.Someofthe

communitiesnowhaveaccesstotelephonesandcomputers;forexample,Moraikobai,Kwakwani,Ituni,SantaMission,Surama(notelephoneaccessbutsatellitedishforinternetcommunications),Linden,Annai(NRDDBandMRUs),Orealla(nocomputersbuttelephoneavailable)andsoon.

• Assistwithmarketresearchandproductdevelopment–buildingaconstructivepartnershipbetweenthenewGuyanaMarketingCorporation’sexpertisewithagroproductdevelopmentandtheForestConnectpartners.

• Continuesupportingthestrengtheninginnumbersandcapacitiesofsmallcommunityloggingassociations,andfavourtheminfutureGuyanaForestryCommissionstrategicallocationplansandre-allocationofconcessions.

TheIwokramateamdevelopedawebsitetoallowpublicaccesstothecollectedinformation,andtoraiseawarenessoftheopportunitiesandchallengesfacingSMFEs(http://www.iwokrama.org/forestconnect/index.htm).Thewebsitewasstructuredtoallowpotentialbuyerstosearchforproductsbycategoryorproducergroup.Aresourcesectionallowsproducerstoaccessfurtherinformationonavailablenationalsupportinstitutions.Awebpagewithlinksalsohighlightsinternationalreportsproducedbytheinternationalco-managersofthealliance(IIEDandFAO),includingreportsoninternationallearningeventsthatinvolved12ForestConnectcountryteams.

Inadditiontoin-countywork,theForestConnectGuyanateamfromIwokramaparticipatedwith12other

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countriesinthefirstinternationalForestConnectmeeting(2-4July2008).Atthismeeting,institutionalsupporthubsforSMFEsacrosstheworldmettodefineareaswheretheyrequiredguidancetocarryouttheirworkmoreeffectively(seeMacqueenandMorrison,2008-http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/G02295.pdf).TheGuyanateampresentedfindingsoftheirworkandhelpedtodesigntheframeworkofatoolkitforthosefacilitatingsupporttoSMFEs.

Asaresultofthesedevelopments,Iwokramabeganasecondphaseofsupportwork,thistimefocusingonthehandicraftcategoryofSMFE.Respondingtotheneedforbetterproductdevelopmentandmarketing,fourtrainingworkshopswereorganisedacrossGuyana(inMoraikobai,Surama,SantaMission,andRupertree)tobringinAmericanandBrazilianhandicraftdesigners(seeFigure1).

Atthesametime,theonlinedatabaseofhandicraftassociationswasupdatedwithdetailedcontactandorderinginformation,anddetailedvisualandwrittenmaterialontheproductsforsale.Inaddition,inSeptember2008,IwokramawiththeMinistryofAmerindianAffairsinhostingAmerindianartisansatthemajorexhibitionCARIFESTA.Thiswasamajoropportunitytoexhibittheirproductstobroaderregionalbuyers.Aonedayworkshoponproductdesignwasaccompaniedbyanevaluationandcommentaryontheproductsexhibitedbyartisans.Arangeofspecificsuggestionsweremadeinregardstocolouring,useofdyes,labeling,targetingspecificseasonalmarkets,waystodiversifyproductlines,shapingandfinishing,organisingsales,suitableandunsuitable(forexample,CITIESlisted)productinputs,andbeyond.

Figure 1. Handicraft design training at Santa Mission

AstheconvenorshipmovedtotheNRDDB,aprocesswasundertakentoenrichanemergingtoolkitofguidanceforfacilitatorsofSMFEsupport,andtohelpintegrateitintotheBinaHillInstituteCurriculumandfacilitateitsdisseminationthroughNRDDB’scapacitybuildingservices.Aspartofthatprocess,ateamfromGuyanaattendedthesecondinternationalForestConnectworkshopinAddisAbaba,Ethiopia,to

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presentmodularcomponentsthathadbeenadoptedandusedinGuyana(seeMacqueenandRolington,2011).SeveralmodulesoftheForestConnecttoolkitnowhaveexamplesfromGuyanaproducedbytheteam(seeMacqueenet al.2012)

TheobjectiveofmainstreamingthetoolkitintotheBHIcurriculumwastoensurebothhumanresourcesustainabilityandecologicalsustainability.Themethodwastoempowerindigenousyouthswiththenecessaryknowledgeandskillstomanageenterprisesthatwouldbringbenefitstothemselvesandtheircommunity.ThiswasdonethroughtheYouthLearningCentreoftheBinaHillInstitute,a‘knowledge-building’institution,cateringspecificallyforoutofschoolindigenousyouths.Itbuildscapacitiesandknowledge-basesforinter-generationaltransferofknowledge.Thisincludesmodernandscientific,aswellastraditionalecologicalknowledge,andaffirmationandutilisationoftraditionalskillsandculture.

Inthisway,buildingecologicalsustainabilitywithintheRupununiWetlandsanditsrelatedecosystemswasgivenaconcretecontext.Youthwerepreparedthroughappropriateandrelevantcurriculaforthetypesofjobsandtheworldofworkthatalocal“greeneconomy”willalsosustain.ItwasalsoameansofpreparingyouthsforhowGuyanaisnowfocusingonprotectingtheirenvironmentandmanagingtheirnaturalresources,insuchawaythattheycanreceiveoptimumbenefits.WiththeimplementationoftheGuyana’sLCDS,theneedforskilledhumanresourceswillbeamplified–hencetherelevanceofthecurriculumoftheCentre.

Allcourseshaveapracticalaspect,inwhichstudentsareexposedtohands-onactivitiesincommunitytourismbusinessesandforestenterprises.Modulesonecosystemservices,climatechange,andtheroleofforestshavebeenproducedlocally.TheyarebeingusedinschoolsandtheYouthCentretodisseminateinformationonthesetopicalissues.

3. Impacts Earlyanalysis(Thomaset al.2003)showedthattherewereapproximately750formalSMFEsworkinginthewood-basedsector.Thisincludesforestextractioncompanies(lessthan24,282Ha),sawmills(lessthan16,000m³/yr),charcoallicencees,firewoodproducers,furnituremanufacturers,timberdealersandsawpitdealers.Therearemanymoreenterprisesandcommunitygroupsinvolvedintheproductionofothersmallwoodproductsandnon-timberforestproducts(NTFPs).

Almostall(90percent)ofSMFEsareownedbyGuyaneseindividualsorfamilyfirms.Similarly,most(butnotquiteall)aredirectedtowardsthedomesticratherthantheexportmarket.Somearesubcontractedbylargerfirmstomakeuplogsforexportorders.TherearealsosomesmallormediumfurnituremanufacturerswhoexporttootherCARICOMcountriesandelsewhere.ThecontributionofSMFEstototalproductioninthesectorissignificant.Forexample,intheforestrysub-sector,257ofthe276forestenterpriseswithconcessionsareclassifiedasSmallandMediumForestEnterprises(SMFEs).Thoughcoveringonly31percentoftheproductiveforestestate(1.8of5.7millionhectares),theseSMFEsemploy75percentoftheemployeesinthatsub-sectorandaccountfor50percentoftherevenuescollectedbygovernment.

Furtherdetailedanalysisof14SMFEassociationsinsevenofGuyana’stenregions(Ousmanet al.2007)showedthatsomeoftheassociationsareclearlyupwardlymobile–withexpandingmembershipandexcitingprospects(forexample,theSuramaEco-tourismEnterprise).Othersarebasedarounddepletedresourceswithstagnantmarkets(forexample,theOreallaLoggers’Group).BothtypesofassociationarecriticaltothelivelihoodsofruralcommunitiesinGuyana,whichoftenhaveonlylimitedoptionsavailable

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tothem.Findingwaysofsecuringsubsistence,orhelpingassociationstoexpandwherenewopportunitiesallow,werenotedascriticalprioritiesforexternalsupportservices.DetailedanalysisofpriorityneedsformedthesubjectofsubsequentForestConnectanalysis.

TheriskofnotmakingsupporttoSMFEsapolicyprioritywashighlightedinathirdreport(MacqueenandMendes,2007).Atthetimethatreportwaswritten,anargument(substantiatedbysignificanteconomiccostdata)wasmadethatreallocatinglargeconcessionsintosmallerconcessionsusingnewportabletechnologywouldleadtoanincreaseinannualroyaltiestonearlyG$300million(US$1.5million),insteadofanindebtednessofG$270million(US$1.35million).Ifthe1,325,000haofstateforestpermissionconcessionswereaddedtothisequation,afurtherG$92.7million(US$463,500)wouldbeaddedinroyalties,givingagrandtotalofG$392million(US$1.96million).ConsideringthatroyaltiesreceivedbytheGFCin2002onatotalvolumeof328,546m³oflogsandlumberamountedtojustoverG$125million(US$625,000),simplychangingthemethodofharvestingGuyana’sforestwouldmakeitpossibletomorethantripletheinitialrevenuestothestate.Therewouldalsobesubstantialgainsinemployment.

SubsequentForestConnectworkhasbuiltontheevidencepresentedinthosereportsbyengagingdirectlywithbothSMFEsandserviceprovidersasdescribedabove.Fivemajorimpactshavefollowed:

In-country evidence wielded and acceptedby key government, NGO and private sector entities.Theanalysiscontainedinthereportsdescribedabove,andsubstantiatedinsubsequentForestConnectwebsitespagesandreports,hasbeendistributedtomajorgovernmentagencies,suchastheGuyanaForestCommission;NGOs,suchasIwokramaandConservationInternational;privatesectorbodies,suchastheGuyanaMarketingCorporation;andtheForestProductsAssociationandtheGuyanaManufacturersAssociation.IthasbeenpresentedinspecialseminarsorganisedbyIwokramaandithasbeenassimilatedandspreadbythepressandwebsiteswithinGuyana(forexample,http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/opinion/letters/05/15/the-forestry-sector-is-missing-a-strategic-allocation-plan/;http://www.guyanagateway.org.gy/?q=taxonomy/term/37)New tools designed to improve SMFE support.ThecollectionofinformationonSMFEsandtheirassociationswithinGuyanaledtothedevelopmentofaweb-basedplatform.Thiswasdesignedtoraiseawarenessoftheproductsandservicesofferedtopotentialbuyers,whilealsocataloguingserviceproviderswhomightbeapproachedbySMFEs.Inaddition,theGuyanaForestConnectteamhelpedtodefineanddevelopmodularguidancewithinatoolkitforfacilitorsofsupporttoSMFEs.Theteamthentestedthreemodulesofthistoolkit(Module11:Productdevelopment–relatedtocommunityecotourism;Module15:Buildinginecologicalsustainabilityfromthestart–relatingtoyoutheducationwithintheframeworkofGuyana’sLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy;Module16:Policyresearchforchange–relatedtoArapimamanagement).ThepresenceofbothIwokramaandNRDDBstaffinthesecondinternationalForestConnectmeetinginEthiopia,May2011,allowedthemtocontributetotheenrichingandtestingofthoseguidancematerials.

Capacity of SMFE support institutions strengthened.ThecapacityofbothIwokramaandlatterlytheNRDDBhasbeensubstantiallystrengthenedinitsroleofsupportingsmallforestenterprises.Thishasbeenachievedthroughdesigningandimplementinginitialdiagnosticwork,developingcommunicationplatforms,engagingwithspecificvaluechains,bringinginserviceproviders,andexchangingapproachesandtacticswithcolleaguesininternationallearninggroupevents.Theworkhasalsoledtoasignificantincreaseinunderstandingofspecificvaluechains,suchashandicraft,forestwatershedfishproduction,medicinaloilsandsoapmanufacture,andcarbon-businessesbasedonagroforestryinterventions.StudentswhohavegraduatedfromtheBinaHillCentresinceitsestablishmentin2007arenowemployedinvariouspositionsintheNRDDB,inpositionsinthetourismandfisheriessector,andhavegoneontotrainandworkwithinstitutionssimilartotheIwokramaInternationalCentreastourguidesandpark

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rangers.SomehavealreadybeenelectedtothepositionsofToshao,DeputyToshaoandvillagecouncillorsintheircommunities.

Policy processes engaged and decisions changed in favour of SMFE rights. Throughtheprocessofengaginggovernmentinstitutions(bothinprecedingresearchonSMFEsandinthesupportprogrammeofForestConnectitself),theGovernmentofGuyanahasbeensensitisedtotheneedtooffermoresecurecommercialforesttenuretocommunitygroups.Between2007andthepresentday,thenumberofcommunityforestassociationshasincreasedfrom27to62–includingbothindigenouspeoplesassociations(onbothtitledandStateForestPermissionlands)andothercommunityforestassociationsonStateForestPermissionland.TheincreasingemphasiswithinstateforestlandallocationtowardscommunitieswasinpartdirectlyattributabletotheworkoftheForestConnectteam(DeputyDirectorofGuyanaForestryCommission–Personalcommunication).

Number of SMFEs and income generating potential increased.TheincreasingallocationofrightsoverStateForestPermissionlandstocommunities,alongsidegreateremphasisonIndigenousPeoples’rightswithinGuyanathroughtheLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategyprocess(inwhichForestConnectteammembersplayedanactivepart)hassubstantiallyincreasedthenumbersofpotentialSMFEs.Inaddition,particularprogresshasbeenmadeinanumberofsectors.Thisincludes,forexample:improveddesigncapacityofhandicraftproducersinAmerindiancommunityenterprises;thedevelopmentofclearerfisherymanagementplansinforestcatchmentsoftheRupununi;productdevelopmentformedicinaloilsandsoapsfromkeytreespecies;andexplorationofagroforestrybusinessmodelsthatmightcapturecarbonpaymentswithinboththevoluntarycarbonmarketandGuyana’sLCDS.NRDDBhasbeenable,forexample,touseForestConnectsupporttohelpimprovethequalityoftheproductandlabelsofthe“MedicinefromTrees”products.Thelabelswereproducedprofessionally,withastickybacking,whichconsiderablyreducedthelaboriouseffortofapplyingpastetoeachlabelbyhandandthenstickingthemonthebottlesandjars.Weshowcasedthesenewproductsandlabelsatalocalproductsfairrecentlyandwerepleasedwiththeresults.

4. Benefits of the alliance

TheForestConnectGuyanateamatIwokramamadeuseoftheForestConnectwebsite,andindeedlinkedtheirowncountry-specificwebsitetothatsite.FortheNRDDB,however,thereisnoconnectivityaccessinmostoftheNorthRupununicommunities.Alimitedandlimitingbandwidthandexorbitantcoststoserviceprovidersareprohibitivefactors.Weanticipate,however,thatwillchangesignificantlyinthenearfuture.AfibreopticcableisbeinglaidalongsidetheroadconnectingGuyanatoBrazil.TheNRDDBsuccessfullylobbiedthegovernmenttoallowthepathwaytoreachthecompoundatBinaHill,whichservesastheactivityhubandregisteredofficesoftheNRDDB,sandisthelocationoftheYouthLearningCentre.Additionally,weexpecttobenefitfromtheOneLaptopPerFamilyinitiativewhenthehinterlandphasebeginsandhaveappliedtoserveasahubforthisinitiative.SoweseethelinkwithForestConnectasreadyingusforthesenewconnectivityandnetworkingdevelopments.

BothfacilitationhubsforForestConnectwithinGuyana(firstIwokramaandthenNRDDB)haveparticipatedininternationallearningeventstohelpdesignandthentestandenrichthetoolkitforfacilitatorsofSMFEsupport.Morespecifically,theteaminGuyanahasincorporatedsomeofthemoduleguidanceintothecurriculumoftheBinaHillInstitute,directlysupportingtheworkofstafftoensurethatenterpriseskillsarespreadamongtheindigenousyouthofGuyana.Modules10,14,and15ofthetoolkitwereintroducedintothecurriculumoftheYouthLearningCentre.Aspectsofmodule10and14arebeingintegratedintotheTourismandBusinessStudiescurriculum,whosemainobjectivesareto

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developbasicbusinessplanningandmanagementskillsinthecontextofcommunitydevelopment,andtofosterawarenessoftheprinciplesofecotourism.Module15isbeingintegratedintotheForestrycourse,whoseobjectiveistoprovideabasicunderstandingofpracticalforestry,andaspectsofsustainableforestmanagementanditsrelatedpractices.Thiscourseisalsogearedtoprovidestudentswithpracticalforestryskillssuchaschainsawmillingandreduced-impactlogging.

TheForestConnectGuyanateamhasplayedanactiveroleintheinternationallearningeventscoordinatedbyIIEDandFAO–evenwinningtheawardforbestpresentation,asvotedbytheirpeersinthesecondinternationalmeeting.NRDDBstafffoundthemeetingheldfromFebruary16-18,2011inEthiopiaveryhelpful.ItprovidedanopportunityforparticipantstonotonlysharetheirexperiencesabouttheForestConnectprogrammesintheircountries,butalsohighlightedhowSMFEscanbeintegratedintoorbebasedonlocalculture.ThefieldtriptotheChilimoForestReservewasveryinformative;ofparticularinterestwerethetalksanddemonstrationsonparticipatoryforestmanagement.

5. Future vision and sustainabilityOurvisionisthatourpeople,ourfamiliesandourcommunitieswillmoveoutofthecycleofpoverty,enjoybasicrightsandhavetheirbasicneedswellmet.Further,thattheMakushiandotherindigenousculturesgrowinstrengthandvalue,andthattherighttocultureandnativelanguagesberecognisedandsupportedatalllevelsinoursociety.Todothis,weenvisageaCulturalInstitutebeingsetupthroughtheNRDDB,whichwillserveasahubforthelearning,teachingandtransferofculture;fordocumentingitandpreservingit;andforgrowingit,throughvibrantsmallenterprisesthatarepartofaLocalKnowledgeIndustry.

Weseeourcommunityforeststhrivingandstandingtallandgreen.WeseeourownexpertsinSFMmanagingandproducinggoodproductsfromtheseforests.WeseeouttraditionalforestfarmsalsobeingsustainedbyyoungandoldfarmersandfamiliesandmonitoredbyourownlocalMRVexperts.

WeseefruittreesandothersmalltreesandbigplantsflourishingonoursavannahlandsandaddingtothevalueoftheLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategyandourbenefitsfromit.Weseetreesbeingplantedeverywherebyourschoolchildrenandyouth,andagreatlineoftreesborderingtheroadthatpassesthroughourvillagelands–ourown“greenbelt”thatsignalstheVillageZoneoftheroadandthatthisisacommunityconservationzonethatweownandmanage.

WeseeouruniqueNorthRupununiwetlandsgrantedInternationalRamsarstatusandNationalProtectedAreasstatusasaCommunityConservationAreathatwillbemanagedbytheNRDDB.

WeseeSMFEsbeingvibrant,withyoungentrepreneurslovingandkeepingourforestsinordertousetheirgiftsfordevelopinggoodbusinesses,suchaseco-tourism,heritageandeducationtourism,natureadventures,films,research,forestryandfisheries,medicinesandnaturalproducts,andlandscapevalues.

Intermsofthesustainabilityofthisinitiative,NRDDBhasusedvariousstrategiestoaccessfinancetosustainandmaintainitsactivities.WithorwithoutForestConnect,thiswillcontinue.Ithasbeenalongandwindingroadandahardandrockyonetoo.Thegreatachievementisthatwithorwithoutmoneyinhand,theNRDDBhassurvivedandhasgrown.ThisisthebesttestamenttoitsvalueandimportanceasadevelopmentmechanismfortheNorthRupununi.

Mostofourfundingisgainedthroughprojectsandwritingofproposalstovariousfundersandagencies.WehavebenefitedfromIwokrama,theGovernmentofGuyana,CIDA,DFiD,CI,WWF,Pro-NaturaUK,EU,

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IDB,USAID,CDC,GCP,andIIED-ForestConnect.ThesubventionswereceivefromthegovernmentthroughtheMinistryofAmerindianAffairsareveryimportant,sincethesehelptopayessentialstaff,coverbasicoverheadsandoperations,andalsomostimportantly,helptosupportsalariesfortheteachersandthesubsistencecostsforstudentsattheYouthLearningCentre.Weearnsomemoniesfromourservicesandhospitalityprogramme,throughcateringandbasicaccommodationforguestsandvisitorsandforhostingconferences,programmesandworkshops;andsomeincomederivesfromtransportservicesandaminoramountfromthesmallshop.Wearenotyetrealisinganysignificantprofitsfromthesmallbusinessesthatwehavefostered,sincemostofthesearestillinthestart-upstageorareverysmallinscale.

Wehavebeenverysuccessfulinbuildinglocalcapacities,however,andmanyoftheyouththatwehavetrainedarenowemployableandholdingjobsthatareconservation-based;somearealsoemployedbyNRDDB-BHIandinprojectsandprogrammesoftheNRDDBandpartners.

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ReferencesMacqueen,D.andMorrison,E.(Editors)(2008)Developing a toolkit for facilitation of support for small forest enterprises – Proceedings of the first international Forest Connect workshop at the National Museum of Scotland,Edinburgh, 2-4 July 2008.IIED,Edinburgh,UK.

Macqueen,D.J.andRolington,L.(Editors)(2011)Testing and enriching guidance modules for the “facilitation of support for small and medium forest enterprises” – proceedings of the second international Forest Connect workshop at the Global Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 16-18 February 2011.IIED,Edinburgh,UK.

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