ASTA implementation team
The ASTA implementation team consists of a group of experts responsible for developing and implementing projects designed to help countries transform their agrifood systems to become more sustainable, inclusive and resilient. The entire process involves a variety of stakeholders and entities who work together to execute the programme.
The ASTA team comprises:
1. The ASTA core team
The ASTA core team is composed of senior leaders and programme co-leaders from FAO and UNIDO, who provide strategic oversight and joint coordination of the programme at global and country levels. Through regular coordination, the team reviews progress, guides implementation, ensures coherence across countries and leads strategic decisions, including resource mobilization and engagement with potential partners and donors.
In collaboration with FAO and UNIDO country offices, the core team assesses institutional landscapes and supports the establishment of ASTA project multistakeholder platforms or working groups. It oversees the programme from initial assessments and project formulation to implementation, learning and scaling of results.
2. Diagnostic team
The diagnostic team is responsible for conducting country-specific value chain analyses and developing corresponding upgrading strategies. Composed of FAO and UNIDO experts, the team typically includes project managers, international and national value chain specialists, government liaison officers and, where relevant, private sector representatives, to ensure a comprehensive and multistakeholder approach.
The team works closely with country-level multistakeholder platforms to consult, validate and refine the value chain analysis and upgrading strategy, ensuring that proposed interventions reflect stakeholder priorities, market realities and national development objectives.
3. The ASTA facilitation team
The ASTA facilitation team is typically composed of members involved in Step 3, including experts who contributed to the value chain analysis and upgrading strategy development. The team is responsible for translating these strategies into actionable project proposals, mobilizing technical and financial partners, and providing technical leadership, coordination, capacity building and implementation support. The facilitation team ensures that proposed solutions are designed for sustainability, enabling value chain actors and institutions to progressively take ownership and continue development beyond the project’s lifetime.
4. The value chain multi-stakeholder platforms
Multistakeholder platforms are key country-level coordination and validation mechanisms for ASTA implementation. They bring together relevant government institutions, private sector actors, producers’ organizations, financial institutions, research and knowledge partners, and other value chain stakeholders.
The platforms are normally built upon existing coordination structures and strengthened where appropriate. Where no suitable mechanism exists, new platforms may be established. Led by senior representatives from relevant ministries and public institutions, they provide strategic guidance, facilitate stakeholder engagement and validate key ASTA deliverables throughout the process – from value chain analysis and upgrading strategy design to the co-design, prioritization and planning of investment and facilitation projects.
Through an inclusive and participatory approach, these platforms ensure that ASTA interventions are aligned with national priorities, stakeholder needs and market opportunities, while fostering ownership and long-term sustainability of the transformation process.