A framework for Innovation Platforms in CRP-DS:contextual relevance and implementation in Jordan

NCARE: A. Bawalize, Y. Shahkatreh, M. El Hiary, H. TarawnehICARDA: S. Kassam, ICARDA colleagues

ICARDA-NCARE technical meetingSeptember 21 – 22, 2014

Ayass Hotel, Amman

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CRP driven:Develop, implement and evaluate a process for multi-stakeholder dialogue and participatory engagement, which effectively links agricultural research with area based development, and leads to enhanced rural livelihoods and quality of life

Development driven:Uncover opportunities for relieving constraints and challenges to livelihoods and quality of life through participatory diagnosis of needs and options for action (self-help or externally directed)…interests and incentives differ among actors, suggesting a need for negotiation and compromise

Science supports innovation but is not the only driver2

Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites

PURPOSE

• Common understanding of purpose and agreement

• Entry point is defined by community needs

• Initial activities build momentum and trust

• Aspires to achieve BOTH research and development outcomes

• Approach as opposed to a model or blueprint

• Resources to support BOTH research and development activities

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Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites

CORE ELEMENTS OF A R4D INNOVATION PLATFORM

Needs to be built upon priorities and needs of communities (Learning Alliances as one avenue for identifying needs);

Relevant to a large number of stakeholders, all of whom are beneficiaries of the innovation platform (Inclusiveness);

Defined as a problem rather than the opportunity;

Different from the modalities of action;

KARAK:Entry point: Lack of effective access to farm advisory services in improving farm productivity and in the acquisition of knowledge for diversifying incomes

Modality: More effective social and economic organization and fostering of linkages with private and public stakeholders 4

Conductive-Line activities across countries & sitesENTRY POINT

Need for building trust and initiating momentum

Complexity can be added in once initial fears are dispelled and an environment of trust and reciprocity is built (social capital)

Immediate and tangible benefits to all (public good)

Integrating activities and projects (take advantage of “destruction”)

KARAK:- Training on improved production practices for olives and disease

management (links to the farmers association and Mutah Univ.)- Linking community based welfare societies with private NGO’s- Diversifying processed product ranges and product quality through

technical training and support 5

Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites

INITIAL ACTIVITIES

Research on the effectiveness of the process;

Research on issues that arise in-process;

Theory of change implies a willingness to change (how to measure?);

Capacity to innovate?;

Evaluation of development outcomes anticipated and related to: Economic empowerment (gendered lens) Social and cultural norms Policy influence Institutional structures and processes Quality of life

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Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites

RESEARCH FOR/AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

Context matters, and particularly so since 2011;

Local priorities differ, as do the capacities for embracing innovation;

The choice of actors within the innovation platform may not always be free of bias;

Institutional partners have their own mandates, pressures and partnership agreements (question of fit);

Complexities shift priorities and alliances;

About better articulating the comparative advantage and role of research in the process of area based development (greater than simply related to embodied development of technology)

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Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites

APPROACH AS OPPOSED TO A BLUEPRINT

IFAD/ARPMII project in Karak

Local welfare societies and agricultural cooperatives

Private NGO’s within the governorate (eg. Branches of Mercy)

International (development) organizations active in Jordan

Mutah University

Regulatory agencies and local governments

Need to identify resources to support “development” in a “research-for-development” initiative in order to mitigate community based fears and frustration

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Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS IN JORDAN