This year, the EP network has been fortunate to receive funding support from DOEN Foundation in promoting sustainable NTFP livelihoods for its regional partners. though this initiative, more than 5,000 households are expected to benefit from engaging in product and market development of NTFPs. Specifically, it provides revolving capital which is often a bottleneck for community-level, start-up enterprises.

This covers five countries: India for health, beauty and honey products; Philippines for honey, jams, jellies, organic glucose, mineral water and various NTFPs; Malaysia for crafts; Indonesia for handicrafts, gaharu (eaglewood) and related NTFPs; and Cambodia for handicrafts. at the same time, this initiative promotes the sustainable production of selected NTFPs, shifting the paradigm from destructive towards the sustainable management of forest resources.

Since its establishment in 1991, DOEN Foundation has been promoting a liveable world in which everyone can play a part by supporting initiatives that are both enterprising and sustainable through subsidies, loans, guarantees or participations in the areas of sustainable development, culture and welfare.

DOEN Foundation is the fund of the Goede Doelen Loterijen (Charity Lotteries) based in the Netherlands. the foundation focuses mainly on projects that have a strong business base and a clear social component. It puts premium on sustainability and innovativeness by supporting both small and large projects, programmes and organisations, and strongly emphasises the self-activation and independence of the people and organisations steering the initiatives. DOEN Foundation prefers to support those initiatives that seek to preserve as much as possible the social freedom, dynamism and cultural identity of those involved. {Vince  Docta}