Developing Bankable Business Plans for Sustainable Forest-Based Enterprises
Empower forest-based enterprises to attract investment and scale through effective business planning.
Course Background
Forest-based enterprises, particularly those driven by small-scale producers and local organizations, play a critical role in advancing sustainable livelihoods, preserving biodiversity, and supporting climate resilience. However, a major barrier to the growth and success of these enterprises is limited access to financing. This is often due to a lack of compelling, well-structured business plans that meet the expectations of investors and financial institutions.
This course, developed under the ECAS framework, aims to bridge this gap by equipping forest producers, small enterprises, and business support personnel with the knowledge and skills to develop bankable business plans. These are plans that not only reflect sound financial planning and market understanding but are also aligned with the requirements of various investors, from commercial banks to impact investors and development finance institutions.
By enhancing the capacity of forest-dependent communities and entrepreneurs to articulate their business vision in financially credible terms, the course contributes to building inclusive value chains and scaling up forest-based enterprises in ways that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Course Objectives
What You Will Learn
Target Participants
This course is designed for a wide range of stakeholders engaged in forest-based enterprises and natural resource management. It is particularly valuable for small-scale forest producers and members of their organizations who have business ideas with potential for growth and are seeking to improve their ability to attract investment. Staff from producer cooperatives, community forestry groups, and rural development organizations will benefit from gaining practical skills in business planning and financial structuring. The course is also highly relevant for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) advisors, development practitioners, and technical support staff who work directly with forest enterprises or within forest value chains. Additionally, professionals involved in finance, investment, or donor-funded projects related to sustainable forestry, climate resilience, and rural entrepreneurship will find this course an important asset in building capacity for bankable and impactful forest-based businesses.
