Microbusiness back on the Track

The Foundation began working in microbusiness in 2009, helping local Kokoda Track communities to earn an incomes from the trekking industry. In May, the KTF undertook a feasibility study on microbusiness opportunities for the Track communities on behalf of the Kokoda Initiative (Australian Government). We engaged experts in agriculture, sustainable tourism, and microbusiness and conducted community consultations and workshops in villages along the Kokoda Track. The main microbusinesses identified by both communities and trek operators and trekkers were based around the provision of food.

In July, a group of KTF volunteers ran cooking classes and small business workshops in eight villages along the Track. These classes were in direct response to some of the key findings that emerged from the feasibility study in which women's groups expressed an interest in cooking and small business skills training. Each of the women's groups learnt how to cook chilli corn fritters, pancakes with lemon and sugar, pumpkin and lentil soup, and banana and coconut bread. The groups then sold their produce to trekking parties who were passing through the village and all groups made a profit. Small business skills such as basic accounting, profit margins, marketing, and investing in the business were also discussed.

The KTF will continue this program in 2010 in collaboration with the Kokoda Track Authority and our Trek Operator Partners.