23 Entrepreneurs graduate from EU-Funded Wood-Based SME Accelerator programme

September 28 2026

Twenty-three Guyanese entrepreneurs have graduated from the first cohort of the Guyana Wood-Based SME Accelerator Programme following eight months of business development training and guidance aimed at strengthening enterprises in the forestry sector.

The programme, funded by the European Union at a cost of approximately €1 million and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Centre for Local Business Development, is designed to help local wood-based small and medium-sized enterprises improve their business operations, access financing and create greater value from Guyana’s forest resources.

The programme focuses on strengthening compliance, business and leadership skills while preparing entrepreneurs for the next stage of their business development.

At the graduation ceremony held today at the GeorgetownMarriot, participants had the opportunity to pitch their businesses, outline their financial needs for expansion, highlight what makes their companies unique and explain why potential investors should consider investing in their enterprises.

Speakers included newly appointed Director of the Centre for Local Business Development, Parmanand Chandernauth; FAO Value Chain and Business Development Expert and Forestry Officer Wojciech Dubelaar; Guyana Forestry Commission Commissioner Edward Goberdhan; and European Union Ambassador to Guyana Luca Pierantoni.

Ambassador Pierantoni congratulated the graduates and stressed that the programme extends beyond business training and financial planning, focusing on entrepreneurs, workers and communities and the opportunities they can create through stronger businesses.

The initiative is also aligned with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and the EU’s support for sustainable and green development.

The programme seeks to help participating businesses develop new products, improve local processing and access new markets, including potential international and European markets.

Goberdhan also highlighted the European Union’s longstanding support for Guyana’s forestry sector, including assistance through the Guyana-EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT VPA) and other forestry-related programmes.

The graduation marks the completion of the first phase for the 23 entrepreneurs, but further opportunities are already being planned.

A matching-grant facility is expected to open for applications in October, while seven Guyanese enterprises are scheduled to travel to Belgium in November as part of an EU Forestry Trade Mission.

The mission will give the businesses an opportunity to explore potential partnerships with European buyers, investors and other business partners.

The accelerator programme ultimately aims to build stronger wood-based businesses, improve access to finance, create skilled employment and increase the value generated locally from Guyana’s forest resources.