WiserEarth Editors

It is widely held that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) do not always have the time, expertise and training to carry out the necessary business planning and market research, that is a vital part of ensuring the success and continuity of any business. Most rural enterprises lack the skills to prepare business plans or to present themselves to secure potential funders. Furthermore, SMEs often lack suitable capital or collateral, and are often unwilling to let others take a share in their enterprise in return for such assets. Marketing and adaptation of products/services to market demand is a common weak point. Finally, the amount of time and money needed to get a concern up and running profitably is often underestimated.

The Darwin Initiative wishes to strengthen the quality of applications for funding that make claims to create, develop or maintain some form of enterprise, relating to the use of natural resources. This  toolkit aims to address some of these issues and help SMEs have direct access to a selection of resources that aim to help them plan and market their enterprises more effectively.

A consultation of over 80 experts from NGO, government, academic and business sectors in September 2007 revealed an overwhelmingly positive response to providing a toolkit of this sort for SMEs. Almost every respondent expressed their interest  in such an assemblage of specific materials as it does not currently exist. Indeed, although there are many business development  documents, toolkits and guidelines which focus on natural resources in the public domain, there are few that are specific and useful enough to apply to a wide audience and have real value to Darwin applicants.

It should be noted that the adoption of “best practice” market research and business planning methodologies can never guarantee success but it can certainly increase the likelihood that a business will turn out to be more profitable and ultimately more sustainable.

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