June

-          Projects identify by participatory means the product or service for the value chain analysis, based on the framework & guidance given by ICIMOD (preparatory to Dehradun Workshop).

-          Projects achieve a good market & stakeholder understanding for the selected VC to meaningful contribute to the VC workshop.

July

-          ICIMOD facilitates a VC workshop:

à   1^st day: Refresher on the VC Approach for the Projects. Instructions on VC Mapping with
      communities.
à    2^nd day: Stakeholder meeting of downstream actors. Brainstorming on their VC.
à   3^rd & 4^th day (field): Projects map the VC for their selected product with the community for as
      many stages as the latter is knowledgeable about (2 Projects - each 1 product/service).
à   5^th day: Preparation and reflection on the results of the mapping exercise. Roadmap for the IFAD
       projects to do further downstream VC analysis and to identify leverage points for upgrading
       strategies. Special focus: Microenterprise opportunities.

(We see four clear outputs: VC Refresher, Participatory VC Mapping with communities, identification/awareness of possible leverage points and microenterprise opportunities at community level. With this sensitization, communities should be in a position to start the process of applying the VCA to their existing situation and initiate improvements even as the Project initiates the full VC analysis involving downstream actors)

Aug

-          VC Analysis by IFAD projects for the full value chain based on the instructions received during the VC workshop. ICIMOD backstops. (Projects may require to engage consultants to ensure timely analysis).

Aug

-          VC Analysis finalized by the projects by the end of August and shared with ICIMOD.

-          Joint reflections on potential upgrading strategies which are further elaborated during the stakeholder meetings in September. 

-          Preparation of stakeholder meetings.

 

Sep

 Stakeholder Meetings (to be organized and conducted by the Projects:):

1)       At the community level:
à Present the result of the full-fledged value chain analysis as compared to the one elaborated with the community in June.
à Raise awareness for value chain processing stages, stakeholders, and profitability which lie beyond the communities’ knowledge. Highlight that market or VC knowledge is directly linked to the communities’ bargaining power and economic gains.
à Identify with the community leverage points to jointly elaborate upgrading strategies to their benefit. By this procedure the communities’ ownership and commitment is strengthened.
à Evaluate which microenterprises opportunities have potential to support the VC.
à Community representatives are trained to interact with downstream stakeholders of the various market channels.

2)       At governmental level
à Results of the VC analysis are presented. Selected community representatives with solid market knowledge[1] and governmental officials interact to formulate upgrading strategies for organic products.

 

3)       With private entrepreneurs
à Results of the VC analysis are presented. Selected community representatives with solid market knowledge and private entrepreneurs interact to identify product and process upgrading strategies.

 

4)       At the SHGs level
à Results of the VC analysis are presented. Selected community representatives with solid market knowledge and SHGs representatives interact to identify leverage points for socially responsible and inclusive business models. Particular attention is directed towards gender biases, marginalization of disadvantaged groups, environmental sustainability, and corporate social responsibility

For each of the three market channels (governmental/private sector/SHGs) the community participated actively in the formulation of upgrading strategies. Jointly microenterprise opportunities are identified that support VC business through technical and financial services.

The product of the meetings is an action & implementation plan with clearly attributed responsibilities.

Nov

ICIMOD will facilitate a multi-stakeholder meeting with representatives of the communities, government, private sector, and SHGs to agree on upgrading strategies and to formulate an action plan with clearly attributed responsibilities for 2010.

Dec

Implementation of the upgrading strategies for each of the three market channels. ICIMOD backstops, monitors, and evaluates.

2009/10

Implementation of upgrading strategies continues with special focus on microenterprise development and business development plans. A detailed action plan will be developed after the multi-stakeholder meeting in November 2008 with yearly revisions as appropriate.