Sartas, Murat

CGSpace

RationaleEverybody agrees that science alone cannot solve the complex agricultural problems that the world is facing and that multi-stakeholder processes (MSP) are needed to explore pathways to overcome these problems. The Learning System for Agricultural Research for Development (LESARD) provides integrated quantitative and qualitative data on MSP performances through an effective, accessible and affordable data management system. It contributes directly to monitoring and learning in order to improve the effectiveness and functioning of MSPs for achieving development impact.Measuring the Effectiveness ofMulti-Stakeholder Processes  and Partnerships for Innovation andScalingEffectiveMulti-Stakeholder ProcessesCapacity Development in Systems - Practice Brief # 5Photo: Georgina Smith CIATEffective Multi-Stakeholder Processes 2The capacity of existing MSP monitoring anddecision-making tools in agricultural researchfor development (AR4D) is very limited. They either produce qualitative case studies from which data cannot be easily generalized, or quantitative impact assessments that do not provide insight into process dynamics.LESARD provides documentation, analysis andreporting tools for measuring the performanceand impact of research and development projects and programs that are using multi-stakeholderapproaches (e.g. innovation platforms), andgenerates insights into the success factorsfor effective MSPs.LESARD produces high quality data that can serve as a base for rigorous scientific analysis. This data supports econometric modeling and social net- work analysis, that contributes to an evidence-base for proving the impact and return on investments in MSPs. Furthermore, LESARD can support dec-sion-making about how to organize MSPs to achieve project objectives and development impacts.  DescriptionLESARD is an action-oriented data management and decision-support system for AR4D interventions based on MSPs. It not only measures MSP perfor-mance and provides evidence on ‘what works’ but also provides quick feedback that enables adaptive management of MSPs. LESARD consists of several basic modules, but also offers additional modules that can be adapted and used based on specificproject or program objectives:∞ The LESARD basic module includes easy to use, short-loop documentation, reporting and analysis tools. It covers the (changing) profile of MSP stakeholders, their objectives and ambitions, the social network, events in the MSP, basic characteristics and impact of AR4D interventions.∞ LESARD additional modules:∞ LESARD Farmer Smart Information (FSI) is designed for generating evidence from frequently used farmer communication tools such as SMS, WhatsApp and radio. It analyzes communication content between farmers using content analysis methods to generate evidence on farmers’ needs, interests and knowledge exchange.∞ LESARD Information System Analysis (ISA) is designed for understanding the infor- mation channels and networks of primary value chain stakeholders. It maps infor- mation actors and channels, and identifies opportunities for AR4D intervention, for improving agricultural innovation systems.RequirementsThe basic LESARD module includes a socialnetwork analysis survey, a training workshop forMSP monitors (research assistants gathering data), continuous backstopping of these monitors and General CapacityDevelopment Framework To overcome complex agricultural problems, collaboration between communities of scientists, governments, development organizations, farmers and the private sector is needed. But what are optimal ways for these organiza- tions to work together? Innovation platforms are popular vehicles for supporting MSPs, but do they contribute to achieving development outcomes and impact? How can we measure and optimize partnership performance, and better under- stand what works in facilitating MSPs? Community levelOrganizational levelSystem levelIndividuallevelCapacity Development in Systems - Practice Brief # 5Effective Multi-Stakeholder Processes 3software purchase and data management. Total costs are around US$25,000 per project site per year.FSI includes desktop research, designing andtesting of the coding and implementation, andcosts around US$35,000. ISA includes surveys on existing information systems with analysis of where and how network/information systems interventions can have a high return on investments. The total cost of this package is US$23,000.LESARD provides detailed information to AR4D project developers and implementers. It also offers an overview for other partners of multi-stakeholder networks and where network interventions could have highest return on investments.LESARD has been pilot tested and implemented in Burundi, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda since late 2014 .Capacity Development in Systems - Practice Brief # 5Relevant IntermediateDevelopment Outcomes(IDOs) • Increased capacity of beneficiaries to adapt research outputs (policies and institutions)• Increased capacity for innovation in partner research organizations (capacity development, CapDev)• Increased capacity for innovation in partner development organizations and in poor and vulnerable commu- nities (CapDev)Figure 1: The LESARD basic module provides social network analysis  of innovation capacity and po-tential for scaling in MSPsFigure 2: LESARD  provides quantitative analyzes of how specific AR4D interventions influence MSPs (in this case degree of stakeholder engagement) Recruitment  of Field researcherMPA, degree of engagementEach dot represents an event. Red dots are platform meetings.Days since 2014-01-13Platform MeetingsTaking o Cluster 45,04,03,02,01,00  50  100  150  200  250  300Photo credit: ILRI/David WhiteThis document is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution – Noncommercial – Share Alike 3.0 Unported Licence. October  2016Capacity Development in Systems - Practice Brief # 5For more information please contact: Murat Sartas, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), m.sartas@cgiar.orgReferences and resources to draw from:• LESARD design, testing and implementation has been described in Sartas et al.• Learning System for Agricultural Research for Development Interventions with Multi-Stakeholder Processes (LESARD) Effective Documenting, Reporting and Analysis  of Impact of Multi-stakeholder processes. In Sustainable Intensifica-tion in Smallholder Agriculture: An Integrated Systems Research Approach (Ed I. Oborn et al.). Earthscan.” A summary of LESARD can be accessed here.Acknowledgments:Capacity development (CapDev) has been identified in CGIAR’s Strategy and Results Framework (SRF)as a strategic enabler of impact for CGIAR and its partners. It goes far beyond the transfer of knowledgeand skills through training, and cuts across multiple levels.This CapDev brief is part of a series of ‘Legacy Products’ developed under the CGIAR Research Program onIntegrated Systems for the Humid Tropics (Humidtropics – www.humidtropics.org ) to help CGIAR Research Programs integrate key ‘capacity development in systems’ concepts into their work.We would like to acknowledge Humidtropics and the CGIAR Fund Donors for their provision of core funding without which this work would not have been possible. For a list of Fund Donors please see:www.cgiar.org/ who-we-are/cgiar-fund/fund-donors-2.These CapDev briefs have been developed by representatives of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Wageningen University (WUR), and the CGIAR System Management Office. Briefs in this series:BRIEF # LEVEL TITLE OF BRIEF  1 Overview Capacity Development in Agri-Food Systems: A Series of Briefs about Developing   Capacity Across Individual, Community, Organizational and System Levels 2 Individual Can Our Research Benefit From ‘Tech, Fun and Games’?: Leveraging Alternative   Learning Approaches and Technologies to Enhance R4D Outcomes   3 Individual Coaching: Guided Action Learning on Agricultural Innovation Systems,   Integrating Gender and Youth and Nutrition in AR4D 4 Community Community Level Entry Points: Integrated Analysis of Complex Agricultural   Problems and Identification of Entry Points for Innovation in Agri-Food Systems 5 Community Effective Multi-Stakeholder Processes: Measuring the Effectiveness of   Multi-Stakeholder Processes and Partnerships for Innovation and Scaling 6 Organizational Capacity Needs Assessments: Effective Targeting of Interventions Based   on Capacity Needs Assessments and Intervention Strategies 7 Organizational Capacity Development Effectiveness: Leveraging Instructional Design and   Experimental Research Design to Increase the Effectiveness of CapDev 8 System Site Integration and Capacity Development: Developing and Sustaining Capacity in   National Systems Through Coordinated, Aligned and Collaborative CapDev Interventions

Measuring the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder processes and partnerships for innovation and scaling

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/10568/76931/6/CDS_Brief_05.pdf

Measuring the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder processes and partnerships for innovation and scaling

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

CGSpace