2.3 MAYA ORGANIC’s Approach
Transforming the structures that govern the informal economy necessitates a solid, systemic understanding of industries and their context, as well as the factors that impact the livelihood and working conditions of informal sector workers. Although MAYA ORGANIC is constantly working on gaining an increasingly comprehensive understanding of the informal sector, the current perspective has been outlined in the previous section.
Currently, MAYA ORGANIC is implementing a model which attempts to impact the informal sector systemically through a strong focus on building institutions that support the poor. At its core, the programme aims to 1) build individual and institutional capabilities of collective enterprises to function effectively and independently, 2) serves as a buffer between the collectives and the market, and 3) has the potential for expansion to increasing numbers of groups, members, and economic sectors.
Therefore, institution-building in MAYA ORGANIC operates at multiple organisational levels. At the collective group enterprise level, institution-building means supporting groups to become viable enterprises that can respond effectively to markets, while retaining values of equity and solidarity internally. MAYA ORGANIC activities at this level include facilitation for skill refinement in all aspects of running a business, including production, business skills, planning and investing, and developing a vision of success, as well fostering cohesion. At the level of MAYA ORGANIC Sectors (current Sectors include Garments, Lacware, and Wood and Metal Fabrication), institution-building includes networking all of the enterprises within the sector for improving market strength and response, and diversifying the sector, especially through establishing effective backwards linkages in the supply chain. The MAYA ORGANIC approach also includes MAYA ORGANIC Support Services (MOSS), which is a not-for-profit company that represents the collective enterprises. At the level of MOSS, institution-building means providing finance, marketing through brand-building, and design input, as well as in obtaining large-scale orders for the groups. Finally, another level of institution-building occurs through establishing a network of organisational partners (NGOs, cooperatives, etc.), for large-scale expansion to many collectives and sectors, and for larger impact on industries.
The following sections will address more about the structure and function (institutional approach) of MAYA ORGANIC, the concept of learning as it is understood by MAYA ORGANIC, values underlying the collective structure itself, and the outcomes expected as a result of the programme. It is useful first to understand the structure of the initiative, integrating theoretical concepts and practical implementation.
2.31 The Structure of MAYA ORGANIC
MAYA ORGANIC has been structured both to build capacities of worker-owned enterprises and to serve as a buffer between workers and the market. The initiative networks enterprises within a single sector, and across different sectors. To support these enterprises, MAYA ORGANIC provides institution-building support to informal workers in multiple ways. First, the programme provides facilitation to help members develop capabilities for running the worker-owned enterprises. Next, MAYA ORGANIC Support Services (MOSS) provides market and design support, and ensures access to financial institutions and social security for groups in the network. Finally, MAYA ORGANIC seeks to provide the networked groups access to and support in filling large scale, standardised orders. Because the structure for expanding the network is not yet fully developed, it will not be discussed here.
