Better cheese, better work

The study found that the Alliances Caucasus Programme (ALCP) interventions contributed to a fundamental, sustainable and large-scale change in the Georgian dairy market system, which is still ongoing.

This study explores the relationship between interventions in the dairy market system in Georgia, carried out by ALCP, and formalisation of actors and relationships in the dairy value chain. It focuses on positive implications for incomes and other working conditions for owners of economic units and their employees. 

It demonstrates that MSD can contribute to formalisation which can contribute to better working conditions. The ALCP has played a key role in this process of formalisation. It also indicates that MSD is an effective approach to reducing rural poverty, facilitating rural economic development and improving working conditions through support to enterprise formalisation. 

Intervention description

This study explores the relationship between interventions in the dairy market system in Georgia, carried out by ALCP, and formalisation of actors and relationships in the dairy value chain, with a focus on positive implications for incomes and other working conditions for owners of economic units and their employees.

Evidence methodology

The study draws on a review of ALCP reports, semi-structured interviews and field data. Sampling ensured representation of women and men roughly in line with the gender balance in the population. It also included different ethnic groups, as well as a range of business sizes and different levels of employees in the dairy enterprises.

The analysis uses ALCP’s impact and other studies and data from its Monitoring and Results Measurement system to complement and triangulate with the qualitative research done for the present study.

This programme's results measurement system passed an audit against the DCED standard in 2014 and 2017.