As a result of the discussions which took place during the preparation of the first GFAR Conference and immediately after it, the concept of ¿Global Framework Programmes¿ has emerged. The document ¿Some Thoughts on the Follow-up to GFAR-2000 on Research Partnership¿ made a first attempt to define this new approach that GFAR would like to promote.

The situation analysis on ¿Knowledge sharing and participatory extension in community¿based/private small-scale tree and forest management¿, commissioned to ETC Ecoculture, was recently finalised. The study made a recommendation that FTPP and CF/FONP should pay more attention to the following domain of interest in order to promote RLN in CBNRM.
�� the cosmovisions of local people living in natural forest areas as a basis for sustainable forest management;

A Global Partnership Programme is being built on the initiative of NGOs concerned with agricultural research and development. With the support of IFAD (Inter-national Fund for Agricultural Development), NGOs in three countries in Africa ¿ Ethiopia, Ghana and Uganda ¿ have already started a process of participatory design of national PROLINNOVA programmes. NGOs in nume-rous other countries have prepared proposals to launch a similar process and are seeking funding support.

PROLINNOVA is envisaged as a learning network on
ways to promote local innovation in ecologicallyoriented
agriculture and natural resource management
(EA/NRM). The focus will be on learning from
and encouraging field activities that strengthen the
capacities of smallholders, livestock-keepers and
fisherfolk to adjust to changing conditions: to continue
to develop and adapt their own site-appropriate
systems and institutions of resource management.
The programme will build on existing experiences ¿

llMainstream agricultural research has focused primarily on technical and biophysical aspects and is aimed at controlling or manipulating nature through the use of external inputs, such as agricultural chemicals, or through genetic improvement of crops and livestock. The results of this research have benefited some resource-rich farmers on well-endowed land, but less often the large proportion of small-scale farmers in resource-poor areas.

PROmoting Local INNOVAtion in ecologically-oriented agriculture and natural resource management. Overall Objective:
The GP-PROLINNOVA is designed to strengthen research and development partnerships and methodology to promote processes of local innovation in ecologically-oriented agriculture and natural resource management (EA/NRM). The long-term aim is to institutionalise PROLINNOVA approaches within national programmes of research, development and education

Goal: To contribute to the equitable and sustainable integration of small and medium-scale agroenterprises in rural and peri-urban areas into value-adding supply chains serving growth markets
Support to Small and Medium Agro-enterprises (SMaEs) in developing countries to develop appropriate Food Safety and Quality Management Systems (FS&QMS) and build capacity in the institutions that support them, so that their products meet appropriate regulatory standards and quality requirements for national and export markets.

Projects within this theme will define and overcome constraints to the dissemination and profitable use of postharvest technologies for agri-produce. The projects will also promote wider use of technology exchange initiatives that involve research and industry personnel and private sector partners within and between developing countries.

Purpose (this theme area): To integrate small holder farmers and rural
agroenterprises, in an equitable and sustainable manner, into value-adding
supply chains serving growth markets.
Objective 1: to identify and evaluate options for organizational structures and
relationships between actors, that enhance local innovation and result in greater
and more equitably distributed benefits through the supply chain.
Objective 2: to identify and evaluate options for sustainable delivery of business
development services to small rural agroenterprises.

Adaptation and institutionalising the use of appropriate marketing methodologies and agri-business decision making tools to support a more responsive approach and access to agricultural market opportunities.