Regional Exchange Participants Acquired Practical Tools to Improve Networking and Strategic Alliance-Building Skills

• Evelyn Chaves, a specialist in sustainable agribusiness at CATIE, shared her expertise with representatives of over 50 organizations from five Latin American countries.

In Tena, Ecuador, from November 18 to 21, a regional exchange of experiences was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), the Decentralized Autonomous Government of Napo Province, and TRIAS-Ecuador. During this event, Evelyn Chaves, a specialist in sustainable agribusiness from the Environmental Economics and Sustainable Agribusiness Unit (UEAAS/EfD) of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), trained 60 participants on networking and negotiation skills. networking y negociación.

Under the theme "Agroforestry Systems to Boost Inclusive and Sustainable Bioeconomy: A Vision from Forest and Agricultural Producers’ Organizations", the event brought together representatives from over 50 organizations in Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. In addition to the training, participants visited field projects supported by the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) and FAO Ecuador.

A highlight of the exchange was the training delivered by Chaves, who emphasized that her sessions aimed to develop capacities, skills, and knowledge to enhance the building of strategic and commercial alliances for agricultural, forestry, and agroforestry products.

A Practical and Participatory Training Approach

The training followed a “train-the-trainer” model with a practical approach from start to finish. Participants not only shared their experiences but also implemented the tools learned in real time.

“Active participation from attendees was key to achieving the training objectives. In the end, they highly valued the lessons and praised the pedagogical approach,” Chaves noted.

Topics covered in the training included basic networking concepts, suggestions for building sustainable alliances—not just strategic but also commercial—and the practical application of the elevator pitch tool.

Advancing Productive Initiatives

During the exchange, and with support from the FFF, producer organizations showcased progress in scaling their productive initiatives toward inclusive processes aligned with the bioeconomy concept. They also exhibited their products at a trade fair.

Strengthening Partnerships

As a result of Evelyn Chaves' participation, opportunities emerged to strengthen partnerships between FFF and CATIE, consolidating joint efforts on shared areas of interest.

It is worth noting that Ecuador is one of the ten countries where Phase II of the FFF is being implemented. This phase aims to directly strengthen Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (OPFA) to achieve climate-resilient landscapes and improved livelihoods.