Economic Viability Tool (EVT)
The EVT (Economic Viability Tool) is a voluntary FSC tool that supports CFF (Community and Family Forests) Stewards in making collective, data-based decisions that increase their well-being and benefits within a landscape management context that extends beyond the boundaries of the forest management unit.
Community and Family Forests Work Area
The empowerment process lies at the heart of the EVT, promoting the inclusion and self-determination of local stakeholders through collective, culturally grounded activities (such as initial interviews, workshops, meetings and assemblies). This process is guided and accompanied by two facilitators (one female and one male) who have the necessary technical expertise and experience, and who are not members of the CFF to avoid a conflict of interest. For Indigenous and Traditional Peoples (ITPs), the tool is consistent with the practice of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) throughout the decision-making process.
Further information on how the Tool is implemented can be found at EVT Factsheet (2pp) and Abstract for EVT users (5pp).
EVT Context
The Economic Viability Tool (EVT) was developed to help address one of the biggest challenges in responsible community forest management: the difficulty of generating enough income to cover operational costs and pursue FSC certification. Many community forestry operations struggle to be profitable, and the EVT helps identify both the barriers that need to be addressed and the opportunities that can be leveraged to enhance the benefits forests provide to local livelihoods.
Importantly, the economic viability analysis goes beyond profitability alone, although profitability analysis may be considered if expected by CFF Stewards and if information is available. EVT primary focus is to understand the current and potential socio-economic landscape, plus the enabling and disabling conditions at a territorial level. Then, EVT addresses the situation of the forestry organization within the value chain (organizational level).
Note: The EVT defines the territorial level as the most proximate, delimited and recognized area where community or family forest managers and their households live (typically a rural community, village or ejido), and the organizational level as the forestry organization(s).
EVT progress
EVT was developed and tested between 2020 and 2022. Then, EVT V1.0 was implemented with adaptations for some FSC-related settings and for other frameworks (such as development and territorial planning, protected areas, semi-desert landscapes with dominance of non-timber forest resources). The data systematisation tool was calibrated in three languages – Spanish (ES), English (EN) and Brazilian Portuguese (PT-BR) – and applied in multiple country contexts. Currently, EVT V2.0 is available for use. It includes French (FR) as an additional language, although this version has not yet been calibrated.
EVT V2.0 is suitable for all FSC certification phases (pre‑certification, certification, and terminated or past certification) when applied by CFF Stewards in their role as Certificate Holders. The tool can be adapted for use by local communities from a rights holder perspective. In addition, the tool is suitable or adaptable to some global frameworks such as landscape management, finance for nature, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
EVT as a tool that strengthens empowerment processes led by CFF Stewards
Regarding forest tenure and management, EVT was originally designed for community forest stewards and can be implemented by private family forests, with context‑specific adjustments.
Through its participatory methodology, the EVT helps its users to share, learn, debate, and validate their data, supporting informed decision-making at territorial and organizational levels.
- Identify and enhance some visible and hidden benefits of their forests and other natural resources.
- Prioritize options to improve livelihoods in the landscape, forest management and the situation of the forestry operation in the value chain.
By promoting data-based decision making with inclusion and self-determination (key elements often missing in past certification efforts), EVT can also support engagement between CFF Stewards and investors, civil society, and government agencies. It is a flexible tool that can be used at different phases of forest management and business development, and it plays a key role in FSC’s broader strategy to support community and family forest stewards.
What does CFF Stewards and their partners require to implement the EVT?
The first cycle of EVT implementation, aimed at obtaining a baseline, requires 3-9 self-selected members as 'CFF Stewards', who then form a focus group to lead the process and two facilitators to guide it, in a timeframe of over four months:
- Months 1–2: Outreach and engagement with users (step 1)
- Months 3–4: Data collection, systematization, result sharing, validation, collective decision making and reporting (steps 2, 3 & 4).
From the second cycle of EVT implementation onwards, CFF stewards obtain data for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) outcomes and impacts, applying the theory of change.
Documents for EVT facilitators
- EVT V2.0 Facilitators Training content & request (2 pp)
- EVT Guide & Framework for facilitators
- User manual for EVT V2.0 Excel® Workbook: data collection & visualization
Other documents for EVT facilitators and CFF Stewards (CFF toolbox users)
- FSC FM Certified cases Factsheets prepared to apply EVT Step 4 (Amazonbai, Garah Itxa, Callería)
Additional resources
Other sources provided to facilitators as part of their training and used during the EVT implementation in real-world cases:
- EVT V2.0 Excel® Template for data systematization: a parameterized workbook structured for data collection, user-friendly charts generation, and key insights presentation through tables and notes.
- EVT V2.0 Confidential Report Template: a document for reporting the entire EVT process, prepared by facilitators for CFF Stewards. It can be used to raise funding, for development planning, etc.
- EVT supplementary documents: templates for notes, agreements, and GDPR-compliant releases to support transparent and culturally appropriate engagement between FSC, CFF Stewards and partners.
Join us in this journey
To get started with the EVT implementation, please contact: communityfamilyforests@fsc.org.