Proposed meso-scale scheme based on co-design and co-production

This project addresses fundamental national and local issues of the Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) including (1) the high resource transaction costs caused by lack of relevant information, and (2) lack of incentives for local people. To address the first issue we introduce clearing-house systems to efficiently share relevant scientific and cultural information with stakeholders. To tackle the second issue we develop branding and benefit-sharing schemes using clearing-house systems and scientific methods to evaluate genetic and functional characteristics of the resources. Finally, the appropriate meso-scale level schemes are developed in order to link international, national, and local ABS activities and institutions in the era of digital information.