Value chains are an integral part of today’s modern, globalised economies. They increasingly shape how products are designed, developed and disposed of – and determine who benefits from economic value-creation. When well done, value chain development can therefore bring about not only economic but importantly social and environmental upgrading.
However, too many development interventions remain at the pilot phase and do not lead to widespread change; or are too expensive to deliver and require vast amounts of funding to roll out. A systems approach is critical given the scale of global challenges. By being catalytic – trying to achieve more impact with less resources – a systems approach can boost local ownership and sustainability of outcomes.
This third edition of Value Chain Development for Decent Work updates our flagship publication and provides an overview of how to take a systems approach to value chain development with the objective of creating more and better jobs. Although a number of other manuals on value chain development (VCD) already exist, the aim of this Guide is to strengthen the focus on decent work.
