ProFound has just concluded the first phase of the Market Assessment for the Non-Wood Forest Product (NWFP) sub-sector in Kosovo, consisting mainly of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), berries and mushrooms. This assessment has been commissioned by the Promoting Private Sector Employment (PPSE) programme, financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
In the course of two weeks, Gustavo Ferro cooperated closely with the PPSE team and Riinvest Institute in gathering primary data from processors of NWFPs, collection centres, collectors, international organisations and service providers in all corners of Kosovo. The market assessment team was also accompanied by gender analysts Anna Lentink and Emine Daci (local consultant).
During the next mission, to take place in the end of May 2015, the market assessment team led by ProFound will verify the preliminary conclusions with sector stakeholders. The consolidated conclusions will serve as a basis to PPSE’s market strategy document, which will identify potential interventions in the NWFP sector in Kosovo. These interventions will aim at increasing employment and at enhancing income generation in Kosovo. With a special eye on gender mainstreaming and minority integration, the interventions will also be designed so as to cater for women and minorities involved in NWFPs.