ICARDA-NCARE technical meeting A framework for Innovation Platforms in CRP-DS: contextual relevance and implementation in Jordan NCARE: A. Bawalize, Y. Shahkatreh, M. El Hiary, H. Tarawneh ICARDA: S. Kassam, ICARDA colleagues ICARDA-NCARE technical meeting September 21 – 22, 2014 Ayass Hotel, Amman

Science supports innovation but is not the only driver PURPOSE Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites 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 driver

CORE ELEMENTS OF A R4D INNOVATION PLATFORM Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites 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

ENTRY POINT Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites 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

INITIAL ACTIVITIES Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites 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

RESEARCH FOR/AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites 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

APPROACH AS OPPOSED TO A BLUEPRINT Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites 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)

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS IN JORDAN Conductive-Line activities across countries & sites 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