The Winners and Losers in Forest Product Commercialisation project brings together the work of 24 researchers, investigating two different species (Sclerocarya birrea and Carapa guianensis) in South Africa, Namibia and Guyana. The research was carried out largely by local researchers in the study countries, and the findings provide some generic insights into NTFP market chains. Topics covered during this study range from an evaluation of basic ecological requirements for the two species, and how this knowledge can be used to increase yields, right through to a consideration of the intellectual property rights associated with their use, and the economic potential of income generation and benefit sharing. During the project, households in over 30 communities in three countries were involved in participatory assessment of the resource itself, and in identifying how much of it is used for domestic and commercial purposes. The data generated from this household assessment was strengthened by additional information collected through group meetings at each site. Further information was collected about commercial activities from different sources, reflecting the situation in a number of different commercial chains. With a view to addressing poverty, we have examined how different types of livelihood capital entitlements are likely to be influenced by the commercialisation process. As a result of this work, we have been able to address five research hypotheses, and, in answering these, we are able to conclude that in NTFP market chains, like many others, the major share of financial benefits from commercialisation is often captured by wholesalers, retailers and middlemen. Financial capital is an essential component in the chain, if human and social capital is to be integrated with natural capital to generate productive outputs. Failure to achieve this is often the result of inefficiencies in marketing chains, where the full value of all of the types of capital involved are not recognised or rewarded. In this study, we have also shown that it is possible for these difficulties to be overcome, if there is a cooperative spirit in the community, shared knowledge of resources, and adequate institutional strengths which can be mobilised for an equitable outcome for the community. For this to be realised, efforts would need to be made to ensure that the resource base, on which the commercial chain is built, is maintained and nurtured, and where necessary, appropriate tenure arrangements are put in place and enforced. At present, in the examples included here, there is no absolute threat to resources of marula and crabwood. It does seem likely, however, in some areas, that current depletion trends will need to be addressed by better management, and possibly domestication, if stocks of marula and crabwood resources are going to be available on a sustainable basis for future generations. Overall, our work has led to the conclusion that both winners and losers do exist in NTFP marketing chains, but higher levels of pareto optimality/equity can be generated if communities work together and use their own strengths to manage and use their resources effectively. Specific characteristics have been identified which give rise to wining outcomes, and recommendations on how to achieve these have been disseminated through many different media. As a result, it is hoped that this work can contribute to a better understanding of how the benefits from NTFPs can be realised for poor people, on an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable basis. From these findings, we have also highlighted some issues relating to NTFP use which can contribute to more effective realisation of some of the Millennium Development Goals.