Synthesis: Action research to improve furniture value chain governance and enhance livelihoods of small-scale producers

Small-scale furniture producers have managed to increase their value added or income thanks to better understanding of the market, training provided under the Furniture Value Chain (FVC) project, participation in trade exhibitions and use of online marketing to reach a wider market. The Jepara Small-scale Furniture Producers Association (APKJ) was legally established and has been functioning well. APKJ has emerged as an effective forum for improving its members' capacity to manufacture better-quality furniture, to deal with management issues and to reduce the time to delivery. A comprehensive strategy for the development of the furniture industry (the ‘Roadmap') was created for the period 2013-2023 and a Jepara District Regulation has been drafted. One group of small-scale furniture manufacturers and one individual applied for certification under Indonesia's national Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS or SVLK (Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu)) and have been through the verification process. The potential for entering the emerging domestic ‘green furniture' market is being explored. Furniture producers have become more efficient in their use of wood and of value chains. Findings from the project have been published and disseminated in multiple forms, including articles in scientific journals, books, conference papers, newsletters, a project website, media articles and local radio broadcasts. The capacity of a broad range of Indonesian partners in conducting value chain analysis through action research has been developed.