What is Calidena?
Calidena is a participatory approach developed and applied by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) to stimulate quality in value chains. Its toolset can be used in projects that intend to strengthen the user orientation of the national QI, and in value chain initiatives that aim at closing quality-related gaps. It seeks to systematically and sustainably support the improvement of the QI in developing countries and emerging economies by addressing quality aspects along an exemplary value chain. The goal of the process is to directly address these quality topics through relevant QI services. The process is structured into three phases: Preparation, a participatory workshop and follow-up. The whole Calidena process should be limited to 18 months.
What does Calidena offer?
At the beginning of a Calidena process, value chain stakeholders identify quality requirements and services to access promising markets. A jointly developed action plan aims to strengthen the Quality Infrastructure (QI) as well as the value chain itself. The plan is implemented by interested parties and moderated by the host and co-host organization and it is supported by PTB.
The following can be achieved with Calidena:
- Dissemination of a quality culture among enterprises and consumers
- Increase in demand for QI services by stakeholders from the value chain and improving existing QI services or even creating new ones
- Enabling of access to new markets and clients by meeting higher quality standards
- Upgrading of national value creation and productivity through improved resource efficiency and product quality
- Contribution to enhanced environmental protection and social welfare
Calidena Processes
The name Calidena is a combination from the Spanish words for chain (of value), “cadena”, and quality, “calidad”. From this can be derived that Calidena has its roots in PTB’s cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean, where the first Calidena processes were implemented in the context of agro-processing value chains. Today, we can look back on extensive experience in all regions of the world and far beyond rural value chains.
Applicability of Calidena
Since 2007, PTB and other international development organisations use Calidena in projects that aim to strengthen the user orientation of the QI, and/or in value chain initiatives that seek to address gaps in quality services. Calidena is applicable to export and domestic value chains. A specific focus of previous applications is the agro-processing sector. However, there are also diverse experiences in manufacturing, renewable energies and waste management.
Calidena is licensed under Creative Commons, i.e. the use of the method is free and open to everyone. However, all users are expected to inform PTB at the beginning and end of the process and at least one recognized facilitator (see below) should accompany the process. Recent experiences have proven that key Calidena events can also be implemented successfully in online/hybrid formats. For further information, please see our knowledge base or contact us via email.
Framework conditions
Before starting a Calidena process, it is crucial to clarify the objectives and motivations of the various stakeholder groups involved and to verify framework conditions for the process.
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Framework conditions
Kick-off Workshop
The kick-off workshop is a condensed, guided and participatory process in which several purposes can be achieved:
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Kick-off Workshop
Follow up process
The follow-up process consists of implementing the action plan and is accompanied by meetings of the follow-up committee, which is set up at the end of the kick-off work shop, includes one or more one-day follow-up workshops and culminates in a concluding workshop.
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Follow up process
The costs of a Calidena process include
• the training of facilitators
• training of other key persons
• consultancy costs for preparation
• workshop moderator
• follow-up by local facilitators
• travel costs
• logistics
• material
• resources to fund small projects during the implementation
The overall costs of a full Calidena process in a country are estimated at between 25,000 and 40,000 Euros. For a detailed calculation of a specific process, a template can be downloaded.
Calidena – a participatory process
Calidena is geared towards the initiation of a collaborative and systematic process of the national QI development and the creation of an enabling environment for doing business. It brings together different stakeholders along the value chain, such as producers, buyers, private and public business support organizations as well as other government representatives and Quality Infrastructure (QI) service providers. By promoting a continuous dialogue between users and suppliers, their mutual understanding is improved, and targeted action can be taken on both sides to close existing gaps. In the long-term, improved quality services enable the private sector to better comply with national and international quality requirements, to improve its competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets, to enhance its performance with a view to business, environmental and social indicators, as well as to foster the broader development of the country or region.
Examples
What requirements must a Calidena facilitator meet?
Calidena facilitators are persons with the following characteristics:
Organisations interested to work with the Calidena approach can rely on a network of trained and experienced Calidena facilitators. Calidena Facilitators are persons with the following characteristics:
- Experience with working in groups and facilitation techniques
- Basic knowledge of QI and the private sector
- Personal initiative, proactiveness and flexibility
- Experience with analyses and writing analytical reports
The training of a Calidena facilitator consists of a three-day basic training. Afterwards, the candidate must prepare at least one feasibility study and accompany two Calidena processes under the supervision of an experienced Calidena facilitator.
To maintain the status as Calidena facilitator recognized by PTB, at least one process should be accompanied every two years and at least one Calidena training or Community of Practice meeting should be attended every two years.
Events
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Candela News
Here you can find the blogposts from Candela, the blog of PTB's International Cooperation.
Unlocking Potential in Viet Nam: Calidena Workshop Drives Quality
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Drum roll, flourish and applause calidena.ptb.de is online
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