We adopt a bottom-up approach that promotes the engagement of key stakeholders in designing and implementing economic development policies, from the national to the international level.

In the developing world, CUTS' successful work methodology relies on research and analysis to inform advocacy and training activities, involving networks of beneficiaries at all stages.

This is how we and our civil society partners in Eastern and Southern Africa have brought together, consulted, trained and moved to advocacy action hundreds of stakeholders on issues like regional integration, trade policy making, agricultural trade and climate-food-trade policy linkages.

Enjoying consultative status with the WTO and UNCTAD, our events and publications bring our lessons from the ground to the trade and related development debates in Geneva.

This makes us a close collaborator of many developing country negotiators, as well as a regular technical cooperation partner at the WTO.

Research & Analysis

We focus on policy-oriented research and analysis, which fills gaps in current knowledge and provides policy recommendations. The purpose of our research activities is to provide valuable inputs, which can be used efficiently by stakeholders at all levels: trade negotiators, international organizations and civil society in Geneva; regional intergovernmental and civil society organizations; policy makers, the private sector, farmers and civil society organizations in national capitals and local communities.

Advocacy & Awareness-raising

Our advocacy work builds on our research and networks to achieve desirable policy changes at the local, national, regional and international level. Publications, including research studies, Briefing Papers and action alerts; events in Geneva and project countries; dialogue fora bringing together trade negotiators of different nationalities and a variety of stakeholders; bilateral meetings and relationships with the media are part of our advocacy work.

Networking & Partnerships

Building and expanding on the networks of the CUTS centres in Asia and Africa, we have created networks of relevant stakeholders from the international to the local level. These networks bring relevant stakeholders from partner countries, intergovernmental organisations, civil society, experts and the Geneva trade and development community together to share information, knowledge and expertise.

Training & Capacity Building

Training and capacity building of relevant stakeholders in Geneva and project countries is essential for the successful implementation of the recommendations derived from our research. From the beginning training activities, including workshops, seminars and online courses for a variety of stakeholders have been part of our work.

Our training activities are demand-driven, based on training needs assessments and focus on the substantive work of CUTS International, Geneva.