Wood companies in the Bolivian Chiquitanía participate in FSC Business Conference

This past Saturday, March 24th, wood companies in the Bolivian Chiquitanía area--with support from SNV--successfully participated in the FSC Business Conference in Santa Cruz de la Sierra organised by the Santa Cruz Chamber of Exports and the Forestry Chamber of Bolivia.

These companies have developed Inclusive Businesses through their relationships with Monteverde indigenous communities, which provide wood to the companies according to agreements that are advantegous to both parties. The mutually beneficial nature of the commercial agreements is the basis for the sustainability of the alliances. 

To strengthen and solidify these businesses, SNV has contributed to building the capacities of the companies as well as the communities, providing trainings in business management as well as negotiation and commercialization. Additionally, SNV has contributed to strengthening business linkages with a focus on improving the business climate through involvement in public policy. For this purpose, SNV has developed workshops over the past several months to provide training and dissemination on natural resource management policies. In February, a workshop was carried out with indigenous leaders and authorities to explain the benefits and challenges of consolidating the Indigenous Autonomy, focusing on productive skills and their impact in the development on the beneficiary population.

These activities are part of the Governance and Integrated Management Project in the Monteverde Indigenous Territory, implemented by SNV with financing from HIVOS.