The fundamental transformation of agrifood systems has become increasingly important as a key approach in international development cooperation as outlined in the core area strategy 2021 „Sustainable Agri-Food Systems“ of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The transformation concept aims at supplying food in sufficient quantity and quality within planetary boundaries and in compliance with a human rights-based approach.
It is this context in which we are placing the action-oriented methodology ValueLinks for Agrifood Systems (VL4AFS) that provides the framework for a systemic approach to transforming agrifood systems with a value chain perspective. The approach has been developed by an expert group of members from the International ValueLinks Association to which we belong and was introduced with a first training seminar in October 2024.
Objectives of the seminar
The objective is to enhance the skills of participants in designing, implementing and monitoring transformation of agrifood systems and value chain upgrading projects. The know-how covers both technical subjects and facilitation skills to work with groups of entrepreneurs, business associations and public institutions.
Organisers
The seminar is organised by the German consulting company IDC Unternehmensberatung Gmbh in cooperation with Eco Consult GmbH & Co. KG. IDC runs ValueLinks training seminars regularly in different countries since 2008 and has already organised or co-facilitated more than 150 ValueLinks seminars. Thereof 8 ValueLinks seminars in Cambodia. IDC and Eco Consult cooperate closely on co-facilitating ValueLinks seminars since 2021.
Participants
The training seminar is intended to serve planners and practitioners at development agencies, consulting firms, government organizations and business associations.
Main contents of the training seminar
The seminar gives participants a profound introduction into the concept of agrifood systems transformation and the VL4AFS methodology. The training follows an interactive method, in which the presentation of concepts, facts and methodology alternates with exercises to apply hands-on tools and know-how to concrete cases in working group sessions.
In particular, the training covers the following subjects:
- The scope of agrifood systems transformation
- Selecting agrifood systems and high potential value chains
- Structural, environmental, social and economic analysis of agrifood systems
- Developing a transformation strategy
- Process design for getting transformative action underway
- Introducing ecological and social business models
- Facilitating reliable and fair horizontal and vertical business linkages
- Promoting innovative services
- Strengthening finance and insurance arrangements
- Ensuring supply of healthy food and introducing standards
- Contributing to favorable policies and institutions.
Training Material
Participants will receive a printed copy of the seminar binder and the complete set of ValueLinks presentations plus additional documents in electronic form.
Date and Duration
The seminar will start early on Monday morning, August 25, and will last until Friday at noon, August 29, 2025. Participants are recommened to arrive on Sunday evening (August 24)
Language
The seminar language will be English.
Venue
The venue of the workshop will be the Steung Siem Reap Hotel, see http://www.steungsiemreaphotel.com/. The charming Cambodian boutique hotel with French colonial architecture and 76 rooms located in the French quarter in the city centre of Siem Reap, just a few km from the international airport, provides a perfect setting for a relaxed and concentrated workshop atmosphere.
Registration and Fees
The early registration fee for the seminar is EUR 1,450 per participant without accommodation and EUR 1,700 with accommodation included. The late registration fee for the seminar is EUR 1,600 per participant without accommodation and EUR 1,850 with accommodation included.
The training fees cover the cost of the training, training materials as well as lunch and coffee breaks. Please note that transportation and dinner are to be covered by the participants.
