The Impacts of Technical Assistance on a Community Forest Enterprise: The Case of San Bernardino de Milpillas Chico, Mexico

This case study report describes work undertaken to improve community forest enterprise competitiveness in Mexico as a means to local economic development and forest conservation. Over a three-year period, Rainforest Alliance facilitated increased investment while providing technical assistance in value-added processing fora medium-sized indigenous community forestry operation in the northern state of Durango. As a result, a failing forest enterprise has been transformed into a profitable one, increasing community control down the value chain and generating increased employment opportunities, resulting in better forest management. The case of Milpillas shows that local forest enterprise –with the right assistance and market-oriented planning– can compete in local and regional markets, highlighting the potential for community forestry as a means to secure forest conservation and rural development.