Community Sustainability

IMFN Community Sustainability Strategic Initiative
Model Forests around the world are involved in a wide range of community sustainability projects. Some projects focus on developing and marketing value-added products from non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Others focus on the development of ecotourism as a way to conserve forest resources and enhance community economic development.

The IMFN Community Sustainability Strategic Initiative supports Model Forests in identifying activities that support the sustainable development of local communities. Small and medium-scale businesses are an important feature of the rural economy in most Model Forests. When they are well-managed, these enterprises can improve livelihoods and make an important contribution to developing natural resources in a sustainable manner.