Building sustainable organic sectors Published by IFOAM in 2008 this report aims to expand on the CBTF study 'Best Practices for Organic Policy' to give guidance for the development of dynamic organic sectors, with a focus on developing countries. The report includes ten country case studies of which five are from developing economies, two from emerging economies or economies in transition, and three are from more developed economies.
Fostering democratic ownership: towards greater impact on poverty
by Alliance2015  The report has a specific and deliberate focus on civil society as one actor in the development process. The role of parliament is crucial and recognised throughout. However, it is the expectations and experience of civil society and their actual engagement by governments which is focussed upon both in the case studies underlying this study and in the report itself.
The report considers the rhetoric and reality in relation to engagement with civil society. It raises concerns about the extent to which decisions on aid and development priorities are based on meaningful consultation. It considers the consequences of absent or weak consultation on the impact and effectiveness of aid and development programmes. It considers too donor policy conditions and the extent to which governments can as a result appear more accountable to donors than to their own societies. It points to the importance and necessity of strong civil society organisations, enabled to play their part and participate fully in the development process.
Sustainable agriculture: A pathway out of poverty for India’s rural poor
by Sustainet
 All the agricultural practices described in this book highlight in one or the other way how sustainable agriculture contributes directly to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They cover a whole range of improving sustainability: raising soil fertility, capability to cope with risks and withstand natural calamities, reducing energy consumption, minimizing risk, and so on.
It is impossible to achieve sustainable development without applying sustainable agriculture on a large scale. The relationship between agricultural production and eradication of extreme poverty and hunger is very strong: agriculture is the very basis for food security.
From contacts to contracts
by the SIPPO
 What is the most important thing for a company in order to succeed?
Is it the dynamism of the head of the company, the motivation shown by its employees, the new product, its high level of quality control or is it the company's healthy financial resources ? Whilst all these factors are important, the most important thing for the success of the company is to have customers. Without any customers, a dynamic company head, motivated staff members, the very best quality control procedures and a solid financial basis are worthless. The problem is: how do you get customers ?
"From contacts to contracts" is a handbook that explains the various possibilities and tools, such as selling/buying missions, attendance at trade fairs, creating direct contacts, direct mail, E-trade and so on. However, all these sales-promotion measures will only be sucessful if they are used correctly and if they are prepared and combined to the best extent possible.
Safety and quality of fresh fruit and vegetables: a training manual for trainers
by the UNCTAD In recent years, agricultural exports to developed country markets have emerged as a potentially major source of export growth for many developing countries. Exploiting this potential, however, poses many challenges. The capacity of developing country exporters to enter these markets depends critically on their ability to meet stringent food safety standards imposed by developed countries. Not only are these standards stringent, but they are increasingly demanding. They now go well beyond traditional quality standards, as suppliers must pay close attention to the responsible use of agrochemicals, energy, water and waste, as well as social and environmental impact. These standards are significantly higher than those prevailing in developing countries, they are subject to frequent changes and are, ultimately, often difficult and costly to meet. The objective of this manual is to provide uniform, broad-based scientific and practical information on the safe production, handling, storage and transport of fresh produce. This manual:
- Provides a teaching tool to train trainers who will be conducting courses to facilitate the safe production, handling, storage and transport of horticultural exports produced in developing countries exporting to developed country markets and elsewhere;
- Serves as a resource for trainers preparing and conducting courses to assist those in the produce industry in identifying and implementing appropriate measures to minimize the risk of microbial contamination while reducing other hazards (chemical and physical) and maintaining market quality.
The material in this manual is guidance and not regulation and should be applied as appropriate and feasible to individual fruit and vegetable operations.
How to Prepare Your Business Plan
by the UNCTAD  This publication was prepared in the framework of a technical assistance project aimed at strengthening the capacity of least developed countries to mobilize resources through venture capital funds. It is intended for use in the training of senior and middle management in business planning and as a reference manual for individual enterprises to prepare their business plans, for submission to investors for funding, including venture capital funds.
The manual is applicable to many types of businesses, including start-ups; on going or expanding businesses; production or service firms in any sector; small, medium or large corporations; sole proprietorships; partnerships; joint-stock companies; and locally, nationally or internationally active companies. It is thus unavoidable that the manual gives almost a “maximum list” of items for inclusion in a business plan. Companies can pick and choose among the items discussed, according to their specific situations and needs.
Core labor standards handbook
By the Asian Development Bank, October 2006 The goal of an Asia and Pacific region free of poverty clearly defines the mission of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The overarching goal of the International Labour Organization (ILO) is decent work. The two objectives have many in common. They are two sides of the same coin with the common goals of social justice and sustainable economic development for people in the region. ADB and the ILO are working together on ways to reach these goals and have signed a memorandum of understanding2 that identifies areas in which the two organizations can cooperate, collaborate, and coordinate activities at the regional,national, and enterprise levels. This Core Labor Standards Handbook is an example of such cooperation and collaboration. The two organizations have worked together to produce this practical publication to encourage and assist policymakers at the national and regional levels, ADB staff, project teams, consultants, and members of national executing/implementing agencies involved in the design and implementation of country programs and projects to take into account core labor standards (CLS) wherever and whenever appropriate. The challenge is to convince decision makers that the introduction of CLS and labor standards in general will not impede development. On the contrary, respect for basic human rights at work and for the legal and regulatory structures to implement them, assist workers, employers, and society as a whole in the quest for sustainable economic growth and inclusive social development.
This Handbook gives some basic information on international CLS, and looks at ways in which they can be incorporated into ADB activities. The recommendations here are not an expansion of any policy, and the user should note the distinction between good practice suggestions, i.e., the examples in this Handbook, and the policy requirements presented in ADB’s Operations Manual. All developing member countries (DMCs) of ADB, by virtue of being members of ILO,3 are bound to respect and promote the fundamental CLS. This Handbook describes the CLS and how to integrate them into ADB operations, whenever necessary. It was developed by ILO and ADB as a result of regional technical assistance.
Guide to participatory tools for forest communities
By Kristen Evans, Wil de Jong, Peter Cronkleton, Douglas Sheil, Tim Lynam, Trikurnianti Kusumanto, Carol J. Pierce Colfer, Center for International Forestry Research  The future of tropical forests is increasingly linked to the people who live in or near forests and depend on them for their livelihoods. Likewise, the potential for improving the lives of forest dependent people will rely to a great degree to how well people will be able to manage their forests. In many countries tropical forest management still falls officially under the responsibility of forest agencies. However, the trend is changing, and increasingly local people are receiving custodianship and control of tropical forests. The direction that tropical forest management takes will be greatly influenced by how well local people and outside stakeholders can communicate and cooperate. The Guide to Participatory Tools for Forest Communities hopes to provide people who work with forest communities with new options as they advance objectives of sustainable forest management and empowerment of forest dependent communities. The guide provides a brief overview of various tools, discussion of concepts, and guidance in the selection and use of participatory tools that people linked with the Center for International Forestry Research have adapted and developed for use with forest communities.
The Key Steps in Establishing Participatory Forest Management: a field manual to guide practitioners in Ethiopia
FARM-Africa / SOS Sahel Ethiopia ,Oromiya Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development,Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples'Region and Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development 
This manual describes the key elements of Participatory Forest Management (PFM).The methods were developed and adapted for the Ethiopian context during a ten-year period of learning.Various approaches were used to ensure full participation by all stakeholders.PFM systems are now being established on the ground in the forests of Ethiopia.
The manual is set out as sequential Guide Sheets so that the user can make easy and quick reference to specific steps and topics in the PFM process.Each Guide Sheet is illustrated to give a visual representation of each step in the process.Diagrams and drawings have also been included to illustrate the processes.
Chain-wide learning for inclusive agrifood market development: a guide to multi-stakeholder processes for linking small-scale producers with modern markets
by S.Vermeulen, J. Woodhill, F.J Proctor and R. Delnoye.
International Institute for Environment and Development, London, UK, and  Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
In all parts of the world the modern retail revolution is reshaping the way food is produced, procured and retailed. Rapid changes in dynamic modern markets afect the entire value - chainconsumers, retailers, wholesalers, processors and producers - with enormous implications for the competitiveness and future viability of small-scale producers. This guide provides a methodology (a set of concepts and analytical tools) for finding ways to better link small-scale producers to these modern markets.
Creating value for all: strategies for doing business with the poors.
by the United Nations Development Programme 
The Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, launched in 2006, embodies UNDPs strong conviction that the private sector is a great untapped resource for investment and innovation to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This report, the first in a series, advances UNDPs efforts to turn the initiatives ideas and analysis into action through a dialogue with the private sector, government and civil society. It is the product of research based on 50 casestudies, writing and reviews by a network of developing country academics and a diverse advisory group of institutions with expertise in the private sectors role in development.
Trading up: building cooperation between farmers and traders in Africa
KIT | IIRR | L. Peppelenbos (coordinator)
 The KIT publication "Trading Up: building cooperation between farmers and traders" shows through 15 richly illustrated cases how relations have been strengthened between farmers, traders, wholesalers, processors and retailers of agricultural products. Commodities covered range from soybeans and coffee, to milk and wool.
The book describes how they have built institutions (such as market information systems) and agreed on rules (such as standard weights and quality grades) to enable agricultural markets to function better.
SME Toolkit
By International Finance Corporation The SME Toolkit offers software, business forms, training, and more to help small businesses in emerging markets grow and succeed. It’s free and easy to use. Just search or browse the categories for the information you need.
How to Write a Business Plan Business Planning for Micro and Small Enterprises Business Planning for Medium Enterprises
By: Ethiopian Business Development Services Network (EBDSN)  The business plan is the most essential document involved when starting, building and managing a successful business and it is an effective tool for raising the necessary capital as well as capturing the interest of investors. The business plan is the document that clearly and concisely defines the goals and objectives of a business, outlining the methods for achieving them. The business plan is also an excellent communication instrument for investors and suppliers interested in understanding the operations and goals of the business.
Many businesses fail due to the lack of planning and preparation. To help plan for a successful business venture, guidelines in this publication would help an operator better understand what information is needed in the business plan.
Moving Toward Competitiveness: A Value Chain Approach
 By FIAS: The Foreign Investment Advisory Service, August 2007 This technical report outlines a pragmatic approach for analyzing value chain performance as the basis for identifying binding constraints to growth and competitiveness. This approach is intended to facilitate formulating a targeted reform agenda.
Talking the walk, A Communication Manual for Partnership Practitioners.
Authors: Sue McManus and Ros Tennyson.
International Business Leaders Forum on behalf of The Partnering Initiative. 2008. The Partnering Initiative (TPI) – a global programme of the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) – is now widely regarded by all sectors for promoting rigour and good practice in cross-sector partnering for sustainable development. A major element in its work is producing practical tools and guidelines that are accessible to practitioners from all sectors, locations and cultures. Among its key publications are a series of guides that deal systematically and authoritatively with partnership issues without being overly academic or theoretical. Talking the Walk: A Communication Manual for Partnership Practitioners is the fourth in the series.
Chain Empowerment - A book for Africa's smallhoder farmers  KIT, , Faida MaLi, , IIRR, , Verkuijl, H. (ed.)
This is a book of hope for Africa’s smallholder farmers. It shows how they can earn more from their crops and livestock by taking control over the value chains they are part of - chains that link them with consumers in Africa’s towns and cities, as well as in other countries.
The Logframe handbook
By the Worldbank Practitioners in most development managemnet organizations have explored the power of the Logframe to create clear objectives and build commitment and ownership amoung clients. Over the years the Logfram evolved as a core technique for managing the complete project cycle from design, to implementation monitoring and evaluation.
This handbook summarizes the rationale and essential elements of the Logframe for practitioners.
Approaches to linking producers to markets. A review of experiences to date
By Andrew W. Shepherd Agricultural Management, Marketing and Finance Service FAO Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division  This Occasional Paper examines experiences of linking farmers to markets, in order to reach some tentative conclusions regarding success factors. It considers examples of linkages promoted both by linking organizations and by the private sector without external support and then reviews in detail the linkage activities of the former. Emphasis is placed on markets chosen for linkages, on the capacity of the linking organizations, and on the relationship between the private sector, linking organizations and farmers.
,: | 
www.cbi.nl
This Manual intends to serve the needs of agencies and organizations that are interested in facilitating community organizing, NRM (National Resource management) management planning and implementation, community-based natural product enterprise development, and the integration of NRM groups or natural products enterprises into rewarding value chains. This Manual presents a set of processes, methods and tools with links to the successes associated with them. It evolved out of the distinct experiences of implementation of a diverse range of CBNRM projects in Nepal. CBNRM practitioners working within or beyond Nepal, especially where CBNRM is promoted, will find this Manual useful.
By Beth Jenkins, Anna Akhalkatsi, Brad Roberts, Amanda Gardiner, 2007 IFC, International Business Leaders Forum, and the Fellows of Harvard College
