A creative problem-solving workshop to support biodiversity and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) enterprises in Cambodia
NTFP social enterprises
participants
A creative and collective problem-solving appraoch
The Solution Lab, a part of #EUGreenWeek in 2021, brought together 32 entrepreneurs, students, NGO and private sector leaders, and government actors to use creative brainstorming techniques to help solve social enterprises’ challenges in Cambodia.
We identified and worked with four non-timber forest product (NTFP) social enterprises from around Cambodia to develop four “Challenge Statements.” Guided by our creative brainstorming and problem-solving methodology, participants workshopped tangible solutions with the entrepreneurs to their challenges with product development, marketing, and market access. The Solution Lab approach inspired new ideas, connections, and understanding — providing participants and the NTFP entrepreneurs with a clearer roadmap for impact.
Our approach
Defining the challenge
Effective brainstorming starts with asking the right questions. We worked with the NTFP entrepreneurs in advance of the workshop to define one overarching “Challenge Statement,” then break it down into three to four specific sub-questions to help them define the root issues and to guide the ideation session.
Discovery
Once we brought participants and the NTFP entrepreneurs together, the first step was to understand the entrepreneurs’ challenges and expectations. We prepared short videos and problem descriptions ahead of time, and the entrepreneurs had time to present their challenges to participants as part of the workshop.
Ideation
And finally — solution time. We facilitated a rapid-fire ideation session where participants brainstormed solutions to the Challenge Statements, taking into account the constraints and opportunities the entrepreneurs had outlined. Despite the very short workshop length, this approach was able to produce tangible ideas and insights for the entrepreneurs!
Meet the "Challenge Holders"
Forefront
Bamboo houses are often seen as houses for low-income people only in Cambodia. Many believe that that bamboo is a weak and low-quality construction material. Forefront, whose mission is to encourage the use of bamboo as an alternative construction material, asked: “How to change the cultural narrative around bamboo structures and houses?”
Tani Chi Kho Leu Natural Honey Collection Community
This community in Koh Kong has around 70 households who make a living from harvesting forest honey. Despite having grown this business, the community’s business, marketing, and processing experience was limited. They were introduced to a new method to extract moisture from honey, but could not afford this processing method. Their two challenge statements were: “How to build the brand identity for Tani Chi Kho Leu Natural Honey Collection Community? And how to optimize their honey production?”
Mondulkiri Wild Honey
Mondulkiri Wild Honey is a brand of wild honey harvested by 3 wild bee collection communities from 3 conservation forests in Mondulkiri province. They produce 10-20 tons of wild honey each year. Yet, they struggle to sell honey to the market. Considering the community’s limited business and digital skills, Mondulkiri Wild Honey asked: “How to increase the sales of Mondulkiri Wild Honey to support the community?”
“I’ve made many new connections and gotten a lot of good comments on how I can improve my product to meet the needs of the digital market. Also, I’ve learned some new tips I can do to sell my honey online as well.”
One of the NTFP entrepreneurs involved in the Solution Lab
Our Partners
