activities. SUMERNET also emphasizes collaboration, networking and knowledge-sharing, connecting partners in different countries through our projects and events, and works to strengthen research capacity across the region. Implementation Phases Since the time of its establishment, SUMERNET has coordinated three implementation phases: Phase I (2005–2008), Phase II (2010–2013) and currently Phase III (2014–2017). Phase I (2005–2008) Phase I established SUMERNET as a genuinely independent regionally owned platform and has a "voice" in a way that other comparable networks do not, which are often seen to be activist and essentially foreign-driven and discounted in influence as a result. Sumernet Phase I also had positive impacts for its partners (both individuals and their institutions) in terms of capacity-building through both training and conduct of research and also through the promotion of cross-border linkages. Phase I supported nine research projects, namely: Incentives as a means to achieving sustainable land and water management in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region: Developing a framework for PES in the hydropower sector in the region. Assessment of regional value chains for promoting sustainable fisheries development in the Mekong Delta Study on local community institutions to cope with the flood situation of the Mekong region The potential role of integrated farming systems (IFS) for poverty alleviation in the Mekong Basin: An assessment of farmer based networks in promoting IFS Towards policy relevant knowledge in the Mekong: Exploring the links between sustainability research and policy Regional migration: a feasible option for livelihood diversification for the regional poor? Incentive Based Approaches for Sustainability in the Mekong Meeting regional and global demands for rubber: A viable option for poverty alleviation in the Mekong Basin? Rubber: Costs or Benefits to the Lao PDR? By the end of Phase I, SUMERNET is well on in the process of becoming known as a knowledge producer and a focus of research collaborators and development actors. This gives it a place in regional development as a focus of research and a policy forum. SUMERNET aims to make more headway in policy engagement and policy impact in a second phase. Phase I has served as a "testing ground" for this new alliance and its agenda for producing knowledge. Phase II (2010–2013) SUMERNET Phase II has been established upon the basis of policy-relevant collaborative research among researchers in Mekong region. SUMERNET, since the beginning of the current phase, has been encouraging researchers to develop collaboration with other researchers in other countries