This paper synthesizes FAO’s field experiences on voluntary standards (VS) through collective work across departments. Colleagues volunteered to provide information about their most recent field projects in order to draw out key lessons regarding the design, implementation and evaluation of projects that dealt with VS. Through this collective process, thematic good practices were identified related to the nature of support provided to small-scale producers, processors and decision-makers. The first section provides a general overview of the selected case studies and the projects on which they report. In the following sections, lessons are collated following the project cycle, namely the design, implementation and evaluation phases. Finally, the paper concludes by discussing some of the trade-offs that VS require and proposes suggestions on the way forward