This policy brief deals with the research findings of the collaborative research project “CHAnces IN Sustainability – promoting natural resource based product chains in East Africa” (CHAINS) funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the DLR Project Management Agency. It presents the studies investigating the value chains of highland BAMBOO and NATURAL GUM AND RESIN products in Ethiopia as well as GUM ARABIC value chains in Sudan. These products possess high eco¬nomic, social and environ¬mental benefits and untapped potentials. However, their pro-duction and commercialization are con¬strained seriously by various challenges limiting the realization of their potentials. Identified policy options are: • strengthen institutional capacity; • improve infrastructure and support services; • organize necessary information for sustainable utilization planning; • facilitate actors’ communication, innovation and fair partnership. This calls for forest product value chain development that is supported by policy, training, research, technology development and transfer, market linkage that consider private sectors, state, civic organizations, universities and research institutes.

This policy brief deals with the research findings of the collaborative research project “CHAnces IN Sustainability – promoting natural resource based product chains in East Africa” (CHAINS) funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the DLR Project Management Agency. It presents the studies investigating the value chains of highland BAMBOO and NATURAL GUM AND RESIN products in Ethiopia as well as GUM ARABIC value chains in Sudan. These products possess high eco¬nomic, social and environ¬mental benefits and untapped potentials. However, their pro-duction and commercialization are con¬strained seriously by various challenges limiting the realization of their potentials. Identified policy options are: • strengthen institutional capacity; • improve infrastructure and support services; • organize necessary information for sustainable utilization planning; • facilitate actors’ communication, innovation and fair partnership. This calls for forest product value chain development that is supported by policy, training, research, technology development and transfer, market linkage that consider private sectors, state, civic organizations, universities and research institutes.

This working paper was developed with the intention to provide a guideline for participatory analysis and development of commercial forest product value chains, in the context of developing countries. Basically, it was designed for identification and implementation of interventions or upgrading measures for the improvement of commercial forest product (Bamboo, Natural gum and resin, and Gum Arabic) value chains in Ethiopia and Sudan within the framework of a collaborative research project - CHAnces IN Sustainability: promoting natural resource based product chains in East Africa (CHAINS). The PIP instrument could also be applied for other commercial non-timber forest products (NTFPs), by adjusting to the local contexts and environments. It can be an important guide for value chain analysts, especially in the process of designing and verifying upgrading actions through the application of tools like interviewing actors, group discussions, or facilitated workshops. This working paper particularly provides: - Background information on basic concepts of value chain analysis and development; - Review of methodological frameworks for participatory value chain analysis and development; - Practical details for participatory value chain analysis as implemented by the CHAINS project, including checklists, diagrams, and tools used in the participatory process; - Critical reflection on the practical application of the approach / Das als Leitfaden gestaltete Arbeitspapier beschreibt Schritt für Schritt das Vorgehen bei der Implementierung von ‚Participative Innovation Platforms‘ (PIP). Das PIP Methodenpaket zur partizipativen Analyse und Entwicklung von Wertschöpfungsketten in Entwicklungsländern wird an Beispielen von kommerziellen Nichtholz-Waldprodukten aus Trockenwäldern Ostafrikas erklärt und gibt praktische Unterstützung zur Durchführung der PIP Workshops mit dem Ziel, Aktivitäten und Interventionen für Innovationen mit Relevanz für die gesamte Wertschöpfungskette gemeinsam mit den beteiligten Akteuren zu vereinbaren. Das PIP Konzept wurde im Rahmen des entwicklungsorientierten Forschungsprojekts CHAINS (CHAnces IN Sustainability: promoting natural resource based product chains in East Africa) entwickelt, um Bambus -, Weihrauch- und Gummi arabicum Wertschöpfungsketten in Äthiopien und dem Sudan zu verbessern. Das PIP Instrument stellt die Akteure in den Mittelpunkt und kann deshalb sehr flexibel auch für andere Produkte angewendet werden. Der Leitfaden bietet: - Hintergrundinformationen zum Konzept von Wertschöpfungsketten; - Einführung in den methodischen Rahmen für partizipative Analyse und Entwicklung von Wertschöpfungsketten; - Praktische Anleitung für die partizipative Analyse von Wertschöpfungsketten nach dem im CHAINS Projekt entwickelten Methodenpaket, einschließlich Checklisten, Diagrammen und Methoden; - Kritische Reflektion zu Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des PIP Methodenpakets.

This working paper was developed with the intention to provide a guideline for participatory analysis and development of commercial forest product value chains, in the context of developing countries. Basically, it was designed for identification and implementation of interventions or upgrading measures for the improvement of commercial forest product (Bamboo, Natural gum and resin, and Gum Arabic) value chains in Ethiopia and Sudan within the framework of a collaborative research project - CHAnces IN Sustainability: promoting natural resource based product chains in East Africa (CHAINS). The PIP instrument could also be applied for other commercial non-timber forest products (NTFPs), by adjusting to the local contexts and environments. It can be an important guide for value chain analysts, especially in the process of designing and verifying upgrading actions through the application of tools like interviewing actors, group discussions, or facilitated workshops. This working paper particularly provides: - Background information on basic concepts of value chain analysis and development; - Review of methodological frameworks for participatory value chain analysis and development; - Practical details for participatory value chain analysis as implemented by the CHAINS project, including checklists, diagrams, and tools used in the participatory process; - Critical reflection on the practical application of the approach:1. About the working paper 7 1.1. Purpose 7 1.2. Structure of the working paper 8 2. Introduction 9 2.1. Background: value chains 9 2.2. Background: Participative Innovation Platforms 12 2.3. The context 13 2.4. Overview of the CHAINS project 14 3. Methodological approach of PIP 16 3.1. Ownership and effect 16 3.2. Stages and roles 18 3.3. Diagnostic survey 21 3.3.1. Planning the diagnostic surveys 22 3.3.2. Conducting the diagnostic surveys 24 4. PIP workshops 26 4.1.1. The workshop contents 27 4.1.2. Selection of participants 28 4.1.3. Identification of facilitators 30 4.2. The workshop sessions 32 4.2.1. Schedule of PIP workshop 32 4.2.2. Preparatory session 33 4.2.3. Session 1: Welcome and Introductory 34 4.2.4. Session 2: Vetting of the survey results and detailed VC analysis 35 4.2.5. Session 3: Identification and analysis of critical points 37 4.2.6. Session 4: Identification and analysis of possible solutions 45 4.2.7. Session 5: Development and selection of upgrading strategies 46 4.2.8. Workshop evaluation and documentation 50 5. Limits of the PIP – a critical reflection 50 6. References 52 / Das als Leitfaden gestaltete Arbeitspapier beschreibt Schritt für Schritt das Vorgehen bei der Implementierung von ‚Participative Innovation Platforms‘ (PIP). Das PIP Methodenpaket zur partizipativen Analyse und Entwicklung von Wertschöpfungsketten in Entwicklungsländern wird an Beispielen von kommerziellen Nichtholz-Waldprodukten aus Trockenwäldern Ostafrikas erklärt und gibt praktische Unterstützung zur Durchführung der PIP Workshops mit dem Ziel, Aktivitäten und Interventionen für Innovationen mit Relevanz für die gesamte Wertschöpfungskette gemeinsam mit den beteiligten Akteuren zu vereinbaren. Das PIP Konzept wurde im Rahmen des entwicklungsorientierten Forschungsprojekts CHAINS (CHAnces IN Sustainability: promoting natural resource based product chains in East Africa) entwickelt, um Bambus -, Weihrauch- und Gummi arabicum Wertschöpfungsketten in Äthiopien und dem Sudan zu verbessern. Das PIP Instrument stellt die Akteure in den Mittelpunkt und kann deshalb sehr flexibel auch für andere Produkte angewendet werden. Der Leitfaden bietet: - Hintergrundinformationen zum Konzept von Wertschöpfungsketten; - Einführung in den methodischen Rahmen für partizipative Analyse und Entwicklung von Wertschöpfungsketten; - Praktische Anleitung für die partizipative Analyse von Wertschöpfungsketten nach dem im CHAINS Projekt entwickelten Methodenpaket, einschließlich Checklisten, Diagrammen und Methoden; - Kritische Reflektion zu Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des PIP Methodenpakets.:1. About the working paper 7 1.1. Purpose 7 1.2. Structure of the working paper 8 2. Introduction 9 2.1. Background: value chains 9 2.2. Background: Participative Innovation Platforms 12 2.3. The context 13 2.4. Overview of the CHAINS project 14 3. Methodological approach of PIP 16 3.1. Ownership and effect 16 3.2. Stages and roles 18 3.3. Diagnostic survey 21 3.3.1. Planning the diagnostic surveys 22 3.3.2. Conducting the diagnostic surveys 24 4. PIP workshops 26 4.1.1. The workshop contents 27 4.1.2. Selection of participants 28 4.1.3. Identification of facilitators 30 4.2. The workshop sessions 32 4.2.1. Schedule of PIP workshop 32 4.2.2. Preparatory session 33 4.2.3. Session 1: Welcome and Introductory 34 4.2.4. Session 2: Vetting of the survey results and detailed VC analysis 35 4.2.5. Session 3: Identification and analysis of critical points 37 4.2.6. Session 4: Identification and analysis of possible solutions 45 4.2.7. Session 5: Development and selection of upgrading strategies 46 4.2.8. Workshop evaluation and documentation 50 5. Limits of the PIP – a critical reflection 50 6. References 52