Microfinance and forest-based small-scale enterprises

dc.creatorForestry Economics and Policy Division
dc.date2024-07-17T10:00:40Z
dc.date2024-07-17T10:00:40Z
dc.date2005
dc.date2019-05-28T11:24:42Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-28T01:32:14Z
dc.descriptionCommunities around the world rely on forests for their livelihoods, not only for domestic uses but also for income, frequently obtained through small-scale, often family-run enterprises. The sustainable development of such enterprises is increasingly recognized as a key to poverty reduction but is often hindered by lack of financial inputs or poor access to microfinance services. This publication reviews the specific microfinance needs of small-scale enterprises given the often seasonal and unpr edictable nature of forest-based activities. It analyses the constraints they face when trying to obtain microfinance services – including a lack of familiarity with formal financial institutions and insufficient capital or collateral for access to traditional banking services – and identifies ways to overcome these challenges. The publication examines the role that different types of microfinance institutions, such as banks, non-governmental organizations, cooperatives and credit unions, can pl ay for small-scale enterprises and forest communities. It discusses, in addition to microcredit, a comprehensive range of services including savings, group lending, leasing, insurance and cash transfers. The strengths and weaknesses of different approaches are illustrated through four case studies in Nepal, Guatemala, the Sudan and Peru. This book will be a useful reference for those involved in designing policies and projects for the development of forest communities, as well as for those provi ding financial services to small enterprises in rural areas.
dc.format90 + xvi
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.formattext/html
dc.identifier2706-8773
dc.identifier9251054126
dc.identifier0258-6150
dc.identifierhttps://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/a0226e
dc.identifierhttp://www.fao.org/3/a-a0226e.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/339270
dc.languageEnglish
dc.relationFAO Forestry Paper
dc.relation0258-6150
dc.rightsFAO
dc.titleMicrofinance and forest-based small-scale enterprises
dc.titleMicrofinance and forest-based small-scale enterprises
dc.typeBook (stand-alone)

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