OVERVIEW OF COMPONENT 2: BUILDING ON INNOVATION AND GUIDING PRACTICE

Component 2 of the Regoverning Markets Programme is a comparative in-depth empirical analysis of 30 cases where small-scale producers and SMEs connected successfully to dynamic markets.

The case studies will aim to derive lessons in the guise of policy principles, business models, collective action strategies and organizational models, and development intervention strategies and working methodologies, to guide public and private sector actors in promoting greater participation of small-scale producers in dynamic supply chains.

Component 2 is organized around five main activities:
 * 1) A Methodology Workshop (Amsterdam, August 2005): to refine and agree upon the methodological framework
 * 2) A first round of empirical research on an initial set of 16 case studies
 * 3) A second round of empirical research on an additional set of 16 case studies
 * 4) Global synthesis of the 30 case studies
 * 5) Dissemination of findings and connection to policy

The outputs of Component 2 are:
 * National, regional and global networks of organizations engaged in documenting and analysing innovations which lead to greater inclusion of small-scale farmers and rural SMEs in dynamic agri-food markets
 * One Proceedings volume (in CD-ROM and electronic publication in the web) of the Mid-Term Workshop
 * 30 final reports of the case studies in the form of ready-to-be-published journal articles
 * Synthesis paper, in the form of a ready-to-be-published journal article
 * One Methodological Guide in CD-ROM and electronic publication in the web
 * A Special Issue of a leading international policy-oriented journal.

The milestones of Component 2 are:

(a) Methodology workshop (Aug 05) (b) Call for case study proposals, and selection of initial 16 (Oct–Dec 05) (c) 15 case studies (Jan–Jun 06) (d) Synthesis and emerging issues (Sept 06) (e) Open call for second round (Oct 06) (f) 15 case studies (Nov 06–Apr 07) (g) Draft synthesis papers (Aug 07) (h) Synthesis workshop (Sep 07) (i) Final version of reports (Dec 07) (j) Communication and dialogue through national and regional platforms (continuous)

It is expected that Component 2 of the Programme will contribute to three outcomes:


 * 1) Improved networking: Organisations throughout the world learning together about innovative practices leading to greater inclusion of small-scale farmers and rural SMEs in dynamic agri-food markets.
 * 2) Improved understanding of the drivers of inclusion, leading to improved policy and practice.
 * 3) Improved capacity in the countries where the case studies are conducted.