Abstract
This project looks at the various legal, political, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of the environment that determine how conducive the environment is for the establishment of community-based social enterprises (CBSEs) in rural Haiti. This study identifies the factors hindering and supporting the establishment of CBSEs as experienced by Haitian rural residents from their own uniquely valuable perspective. Data is collected during 1) in-depth interviews with leaders and members of the Kokoyer based CBSE Organisation des Femmes pour l’Avancement de Kokoyer (OFAK) and 2) numerous interviews with other Trou Chouchou CBO leaders. The environment is not conducive for CBSEs for primarily legal and political insecurity reasons resulting from a poorly established rule of law. The most significant findings are the significance of NGOs in the development of rural areas and the highly valued yet limited cross-organizational collaboration of rural CBSEs.