1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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