Proposal

Project: title

WLE Greater Mekong

Date

Table of Content

PART A: SUMMARY..................................................................................................11. Project Outline.......................................................................................................12. Project Summary...................................................................................................1

2.1 Problem statement...........................................................................................12.2 Previous work on related challenges...............................................................12.3 Links to on-going projects...............................................................................1

3. Consortium Details................................................................................................23.1. Lead Institution...............................................................................................23.2. Project Partners...............................................................................................2

PART B: PROJECT IMPACT PATHWAY.................................................................34. Outcomes...............................................................................................................35. Output users and use..............................................................................................36. Outputs...................................................................................................................37. Research questions and methodologies.................................................................38. Project contributions to the WLE program............................................................4

8.1. Indicators........................................................................................................48.2. Baselines.........................................................................................................48.3. Gender and equity...........................................................................................48.4. Ecosystems Services and Resilience..............................................................4

PART C: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN........................................................................59. Activities and Implementation Plan.......................................................................510. Indicative breakdown of budget..........................................................................511. References and bibliography...............................................................................5Attachment 1: Guidance on inclusion of Gender.....................................................7Attachment 2: Guidance on inclusion of Ecosystem Services and Resilience activities.....................................................................................................................9

PART A: SUMMARY(Section 1-2: maximum 2 page, Section 3: maximum 2 page)

1. Project OutlineTitle:Lead Organization(with which a contract will be signed in the event the proposal is successful):Consortium partners (who receive budget):Project Leader (name and contact details):Duration(expressed in months): Target start date:Finish date (not later than December 31, 2016):Maximum budget requested from WLE (in US$):Any matching funds offered (provide brief explanation):

2. Project SummaryThis section will be posted publically. To describe your project it should be (a) short; (b) precise; and (c) clear. Proponents should assume that it will be read by lay people, and not researchers or the technically competent. It should explain what the project intends to do, whyit is doing it, where it is going to do it, how it is going to do it (proposed research incl. methodologies and development partners), what it will deliver(a summary of research outcomes and outputs)and what will change as a result (summary of anticipated development outcomes).

2.1 Problem statementDescribe the main problem this work will address. Summarize what is the problem(s), what are the root causes and drivers from social, institutional, economic and environmental perspective.

2.2Previous work on related challengesWhat – if anything – has been done to address the problems in the past (by your partners, other researchers,CPWF projects or others) that is relevant to implementing this project? What are the key lessons learnt that you will consider in the present project? How will your project advance this work? What is new about your project?

2.3 Links to on-going projectsWhat are the links between the proposed project and other ongoing projects and initiatives, in particular, how will this project complement and link to other WLE Greater Mekong projects or other major initiatives in the region?

C1

3. Consortium Details

The quality and experience of your project team will help ensure the delivery of quality outputs. Please use the Contacts worksheet of Annex C - Project workbook to describe the project team members. Indicate in particular who has responsibility for engagement with non-researchers who will use research outputs, communications, M&E, knowledge sharing and gender. Remember to attach a full C.V. for the project leader and a one page C.V. for each team member in Annex B. These will be people who will be funded at least partly by the project. You will be requested to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with their institutions if successful. Please provide below a brief text statement on the lead institution and partner institutions such as you would like them to appear on the WLE Greater Mekong website. You are welcome to include internet links to institutional home pages. This description should also explain how these institutions are qualified to implement the project.

3.1. Lead InstitutionThis is the institution with which a contract will be signed in the event that your proposal is accepted. Provide a brief text statement on why the lead institution is well placed to lead the group.

3.2. Project PartnersProvide brief text statements on why the proposed partner institutions are qualified to carry out the proposed research.

Institution 1:

Institution 2:

Institution 3:

Institution X:

C2

PARTB: PROJECT IMPACT PATHWAY

4. OutcomesThere needs to be a causal relationship between the outputs your project generates and the regional outcomes (= changes in individual and/or institutional knowledge, skills, practice, policy, investments, etc. that lead to positive development impacts). In this section, provide a short statement about what changes you anticipate to happen due to your project’s work (research and engagement activities and outputs). What will change as a result of your project? You should be specific: who will change as a result of your work (could be a person, or a government department – see WLE Greater Mekong target groups, http://wle-mekong.cgiar.org/stakeholder-platforms)? And describe in what ways will they change (phrased in terms of ‘what they will do differently’ – please describe in terms of changes to knowledge, skills, practice, policy, investments, etc.)?Specify when the outcomes will occur. Be specific regarding gender, equity and ecosystem-related outcomes.

You may use the template provided in the Annex C - Project Workbook (which can be down loaded here), worksheet entitled ‘Outcome Logic Model’, which can be downloaded from here.

5. Output users and useDescribe the users of the research outputs and how they will useoutputs to achieve outcomes. Be sure to:

Identify the users of your outputs. Be as specific as possible regarding research users.

Detail the evidence we have of demand for the project outputs. Define institutional incentives for research users to apply and use the project

outputs. Describe capacity needed for research users to understand and effectively apply

the project outputs. Describe relevant gender and equity aspects, e.g. research users that are specific

to gender-related outcomes. Describe your strategies and activities that will ensure that your outputs are used.

This should detail how you will engage and work with research users and/or their intermediaries (e.g. through a policy network or through a local NGO that works directly with farmers).

Briefly describe your engagement and communication plan. Your engagement and communications plan is your primary method for delivering outputs into outcomes. Please note that this MUST integrate with the WLE Greater Mekong’s regional engagement and communications strategy,(http://wle-mekong.cgiar.org/wp-content/uploads/WLE-GM-Communications-Strategy1.pdf)

6. OutputsThe outputs that emerge from your project are necessary to generate the outcomes you identify. Outputs that have no bearing on outcomes are unacceptable. Please be specific and clear. These can include: research outputs such as models, databases, publications, maps, etc. These can also include communication outputs such as multimedia products, policy briefs, news articles, blog stories, social media etc. WLE Communication teams can support you on this. For the Mekong, it is mandatory that you include in your plan:

1. At least 1 State of Knowledge Paper

C3

2. One contribution to a WLE Greater Mekong edited volume that will be developed towards the end of your project- propose a title; and a chapter

3. At least 1 gender and/or equity output related to the activity proposed.4. At least 2 blog posts/webstories per year.

7. Research questions and methodologiesPlease state the research questions that this project will address, and, for each, how your project intends to answer it (i.e. explain your methodologies here).

8. Measuring Progress towards Outcomes

8.1.IndicatorsDescribe progress anticipated each year toward the outcomes defined above. Progress towards outcomes may include, for example, increased interest and commitment from research users to utilize research; stronger capacity of research users to understand and apply research; initial policy discussions informed by the research. Detail objectivelyverifiably progress indicators and information/data that will demonstrate progress towards outcomes.

Which WLE Integrated Ecosystem Solution into Policy and Investments (IES) indicators is your project contributing to and by how much? Please specify as best as possible, i.e. depending on the indicator in which countries, or which organizations, etc. See Annex C – Project Workbook.

8.2. BaselinesConsidering your project contribution to the WLE flagship indicator(s), define here what baselines you will require to give evidence of your actual contribution to the WLE outcome targets. Please also consider this in your activities, budget and timelines.

9. Gender and equityIn what ways does the project address gender and equity? WLE endorses research that demonstrates that gender balance is essential for development see attachment 1. Your description here needs to show congruence with WLE Greater Mekong’s Framework on Equity and with WLE’s gender strategy.

C4

10 Ecosystems Services and ResilienceIn what ways does the project address the cross-cutting issue of ecosystem services and resilience? WLE requires thatresearch usesan ecosystem approach emphasizing a whole of system analysisand the interactions (synergies and trade-offs) between stakeholders and their impact on ecosystems (including agricultural systems). If Ecosystem Services are mentioned, the applicants should specify which services, including the providers and beneficiaries of the specific services considered in the proposal. Resilience is addressed by highlighting how the proposed research intervention considers possible future scenarios. See attachment 2 for additional information.

C5

PARTC: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

11. Activities and Implementation PlanConstruct a Gantt chart to provide a tabular description of the activities leading to outcomes (including research, engagement with research users, capacity building, monitoring and communication) that your team will undertake. Use the template provided in the Annex A - Project Workbook. A Gantt chart is a ‘timeline’ that shows the sequence of activities leading to outcomes. Constructing it helps ensure that the sequence of activities you propose is feasible. Construct it in monthly segments over the life span of your proposed work. The Gantt Chart does not contribute to the word count.

12. Indicative breakdown of budgetYou budget should be entered into the Project Workbook ($ summary). Once complete, please also fill in $ Comments, $ Time Allocation, and$ By Institution.

13. References and bibliographyPlease list up to 10 references and key documents that help to explain the origins of this proposal, and/or your institutions and/or your methods and ideas. Provide links wherever possible.

C6

Annexes to your proposal submission

A: Team leader and team member’s C.V.s.Please attach a full C.V. for the project leader and a one-two page C.V. for each team member in Annex A.

B: Letters of intended association and/or contractsPlease include scanned copies of letters of intent (LOI) or, if they are available, contracts between the lead institution and all other institutions involved in the project. LOIs signify the intention of the partner institution(s) and the lead institution to collaborate together on this project. The LOI should be written by the partner institution and not the lead institution, and authorised by a legal signatory of that institution. LOIs should evolve into contract(s) between the lead institution and the partner institution(s).

C: Project WorkbookPlease note that in the workbook the contractual parts of it are indicated as such. These need to be filled out. The template can be downloaded from here. Please read carefully the explanations in the table of content and instructions in each worksheet before filling them out.

C7

Attachment 1: Guidance on inclusion of Gender

In describing activities related to gender, please provide a short description of how you anticipate your activity to integrate gender (as at least 10% WLE portfolio will be comprised of gender research). Gender-specific research is encouraged, as are gender components of wider projects.

These criteria are often used to guide the integration of the gender activities:

1. Extent to which the activity contains gender disaggregated data and analysis of gender differences in the activity planned

2. Extent to which the activity explains how actions will result in women’s empowerment, strengthening their access to decision making, improving their access to water, land and ecosystems

3. Extent to which the activity identifies at least one gender-specific objective to be undertaken for mainstreaming or gender specific research

As a reminder, the overall objectives of gender under WLE are:

• To improve the access and control of water, land and ecosystems by women and men, so as to increase opportunities of both men and women to have productive roles in developing vibrant and sustainable communities.

• To enhance the abilities and opportunities available for men and women to engage in decision making and policy development (at all levels) on water, land and ecosystems.

With an ultimate goal:Vibrant communities where women can actively engage in decision making over the use of water, land and ecosystems to support livelihoods for future generations

WLE recommends that proposals use the guidance provided in the Consortium Office Document ‘DEFINITION OF GENDER RESEARCH FOR CRP GENDER BUDGETS (Draft)’, summarized in Table 1 below, to calculate gender budgets in the Innovation Fund proposals. This document is also a useful reference point to improve the description of the gender dimension within activities.

Table 1: Summary of guidance on Gender Budgeting provided by Consortium Office% Funding to Gender

Definition How to assess

100% Strategic Gender Research

Strategic Gender

Gender is the primary topic in a social analysis designed to understand what the implications of gender are for agriculture. (see 1.1, 1.2, 1.3)

C8

Analysis Capacity Development or Training

Events that are 100% dedicated to awareness building or skill building for the application of gender analysis or interpretation and use of its findings. (see 4.1)

<50% Integrated Gender Research with information obtained from both male and female respondents.

Studies that do not have as a primary objective the analysis of gender relations but that include the collection, analysis, reporting or publication of socio-economic information obtained from both male and female respondents. (see 2.3)

<30% Integrated Gender Research that generate, obtain, analyze, report or publish descriptive sex-disaggregated information

Agricultural studies, field experiments, technology trials, participatory technology evaluations (includes PVS), demonstrations of innovations or development interventions that generate descriptive sex-disaggregated information.

Ex ante or ex post impact studies that do not have as a primary objective the analysis of differences between male and female adults or children (i.e. in their needs, statuses, roles, capacities, constraints) but that obtain, analyze, report or publish sex-disaggregated socio-economic data on differences between men and women in access, adoption or impact(see 2.1, 2.2)

Center to calculate

Integrated Gender Analysis Capacity Development or Training

Events that have a different purpose but that include some awareness building or skill building for the application of gender analysis or interpretation and use of its findings. The charge to gender budget in this type of training should correspond to the actual proportion of the time in the course devoted to gender analysis. (See 4.2)

0% Not gender research

3.1 Research that involves men and women as participants in field trials or field schools, as key informants, focus group members or survey respondents but does not aim to analyze or interpret gender differences3.2 Research that does not conform to recommended standards for collecting sex-disaggregated data (specific standards are due to be provided by PIM and the CGIAR Gender Research Network)3.3 Research that does not collect sex-disaggregated data 3.4 Research that involves female staff but that has no relation to any the activities listed above as bona fide gender research4.3 Events that include female participants or are exclusively for female participants and have no content related to gender analysis are not chargeable to the gender budget.

C9

C10

Attachment 2: Guidance on inclusion of Ecosystem Services and Resilience activities

Describe the ecosystem-based approach taken in this activity either by describing the environmental impact being reduced or the ecosystem services addressed. Please reference ecosystem services quantified, monitored or targeted for conservation, restoration, or enhancement. Use the list of services provided in Table 2 below for guidance. When possible specify the specific intervention being studied (e.g. increasing crop diversity; riparian buffers; landuse change), and where possible the inventive systems considered (e.g. taxation, command and control; payment for ecosystem services; agricultural extension, market diversification or certification). Alternately, please refer to environmental impacts being considered by the activity. Both approaches that consider environmental impact, and/or ecosystem services are valued and should be highlighted.

Environmental impact refers to any measure that aims to improve the environment used by stakeholders, or reducing the harm of an intervention on the environment. Reducing air, land, or water pollution through resource reutilization, reducing or targeting fertilizer inputs, reducing travel distance between fields and markets all have positive environmental impacts, but are not ecosystem service based approaches.

Ecosystem services are fundamentally the benefits that people obtain from ecosystems1. The Ecosystem Service and Resilience working group has adopted a modified definition proposed by Daily (1997) and Walker and Salt (2006): “the conditions and processes through which ecosystems (including human modified systems), and the species that make them up, sustain and fulfill human life.” (Daily 1997) …”the combined actions of the species in an ecosystem that perform functions of value to society.” (Walker and Salt, 2006)

This inherently infers that the ecosystem is the provider of an identifiable benefit of an ecosystem. There are three critical characteristics that should be identifiable: a specific service; a provider of that service, and a beneficiary. Altering the ecosystem, primarily by changing species (plot scale) or landuse (landscape scale) composition and configuration alters the services provided. Ecosystem services can be classified into three broad categories: provisioning, regulating, and cultural2.

Table 2: MEA recognized ecosystem services. This is a classification that is globally recognized and used in sub-global assessments. Do feel free to add to it as needed.

Provisioning Services

Regulating Services Cultural Services

1 An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in conjunction with the non-living component of their environment (things like air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system. These biotic and abiotic components are regarded as linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.2 Previous versions also included supporting services which have been largely subsumed by regulating services.

C11

Product Obtained from Ecosystems

Benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes

Material and non-material benefits of ecosystems.

Fresh Water Timber Genetic Resources Biochemicals Ornamental

Resources

Air quality regulation

Water purification and treatment

Water regulation Erosion regulation Climate regulation Erosion regulation Soil formation Pollination Pest regulation Disease regulation Primary production Nutrient cycling

Spiritual and religious values

Aesthetic diversity Cultural diversity Recreation and

ecotourism Knowledge system

and educational values

Examples:

Water quality: an ecosystem service based approach to water quality would include the protection of a watershed through the protection of riparian buffers and wetlands for example. A non-ecosystem service based approach would be the construction of a water treatment plant. New York City’s protection of the Catskills watershed is an example of an ecosystem service based approach. CIAT’s work in South America is a good example of an ecosystem service based approach to water quality. Similarly Bioversity has been working with the dam operators in Costa Rica to target payments for ecosystem services and land use change in Costa Rican watersheds to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and reduce costs of hydropower.

Hazard Mitigation:For example, the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 sparked a debate regarding using an ecosystem service based approach (construction of reef, mangrove, sea grass or other forms of green infrastructure) versus the construction of a system of dams and levies (grey infrastructure). Both provide the same service through very different approaches and active debate as to the effectiveness and resilience of each. IMWI’s work on the role of wetlands in regulating hydrological flows and impacts on flood reduction is a good example of an ecosystem service based approach to hazard mitigation.

Pest Control: an ecosystem serviced based approach would focus on biological control of pests and diseases. This recognizes the multiple ecological processes that drive pest and disease regulation from increasing field level genetic diversity (work by IFPRI, CIAT and Bioversity amongst others), supporting gene flow in agricultural landscapes, increasing habitat for natural predators, and supporting the movement of these predators and parasites in agricultural landscapes, while reducing the habitat quality, and dispersal ability of pests and diseases by altering landscape composition and configuration. This differs from approaches that use agrochemicals, or sanitation measures for the same impact.

C12