1. Photo: David Brazier/IWMI Photo :Tom van Cakenberghe/IWMI www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Farah Ahmed Date- 1 st December, 2014 Location- IWMI HQ, Sri Lanka Research Uptake – Concepts and potential strategy approach

2. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world I Background This presentation intends to be a guide to help researchers understand uptake and uptake strategies to implement it in their research programmes and activities and have an output based approach Definition of research Uptake –“The effective utilization of research-based evidence by decision makers to improve development practice and policy, and donor investments, thereby leading to positive development outcomes.” ‘Uptake’ is what a decision-maker or other key stakeholder is doing when they modify their attitude, develop knowledge or skills through the research process and based on the outputs of research. For the purpose of uptake strategy - Research uptake strategies should encompass stakeholder engagement, capacity building, communication and monitoring and evaluation

3. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Why is uptake important? Research outcomes M&E Investment support Policy IWMI views a common vision as a strength, which aligns with the water security discussions in the United Nations and emphasizes IWMI’s commitment to collaboratively identify solutions to water resource management issues with our partners globally and regionally. IWMI shares this vision with several other organizations, including the Global Water Partnership. This IWMI Strategy 2014–2018 outlines the rationale for the Institute’s vision, together with the key actions IWMI will take to achieve this vision through its roles as a: –Think tank driving innovative research and ideas for solutions; –Provider of science-based products and tools; and –Facilitator of learning, strengthening capacity and achieving uptake of research findings. IWMI -A facilitator for learning, strengthening capacity and achieving the uptake of research findings:

4. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Why is there a need for Uptake? It is important to improve the demand for research evidence as much as it appears generally to improve supply, particularly in the policy sphere Improving peoples lives Research needs to move beyond publications /books and move to impacts Improving our ability to assess the impact of research Balancing the supply and demand for research Acts as a knowledge intermediaries

5. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Objectives of an uptake strategy Create platforms that bring together and synthesize project- level research Serve as a guide for prioritizing activities and navigating towards objectives Clarifies resource and other requirements Create mechanisms for internal reflection and external consultation to refine uptake approaches Leverage opportunities for cross country/regional knowledge synthesis Support research projects to identify key partners and stakeholders Creates impacts to research outcomes

6. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Entry points for Uptake

7. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Approaches for uptake Creating partnerships for larger outreach Facilitating dialogues with stakeholders Organizing round table discussions and meetings Developing communication products for specific stakeholders (policy briefs and brochures) Engaging with media Organizing workshops to build awareness among stakeholders Develop ICT projects for engaging with stakeholders and Videos and films Website development

8. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Some examples of a wish list of uptake activities

9. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Why M&E is important for Uptake

10. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Importance of M&E Linked to impact pathways and Theory of change

11. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world Thank you! Contact our uptake team for support – Elizabeth Weight – Global Science Uptake Coordinator Farah Ahmed - Coordinator for research into impacts- Asia Thor Windham Wright- Communications and Research uptake coordinator for Africa Paul Rink – Intern for Uptake

12. www.iwmi.org A water-secure world