1. (1) Bridging research, policy and politics the RAPID+ framework This presentation is based on: Court, J., and Young, J. 2006. Bridging research and policy in international development: an analytical and practical framework. Development in Practice.16(1), pp 85-90 Experiences from the CoCoon Groundwater in the Political Domain Project

2. What are policies a chaos of interests and activities, brought together under a common denominator or the base of systematic implementation of rational decisions through selected strategies? or a thin veneer of reasonableness covering up a world of power games and manipulation

3. Exercise: Discussion Participant to write down their definition of ‘policy’ and ‘politics’ and linkages Tally and discuss whether the definitions given of policy are close to one of definitions given earlier

4. Researchers, policy makers and politicians Living in different worlds? Source: http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/ucs- cartoon-ee-001.jpg

5. Bridging research, policy and politics Research and evidence is crucial for informed decision-making in development policies BUT, it is not a automatic process where project findings shift from the ‘research sphere’ to the ‘policy sphere’, where it impacts policy makers decisions and programs

6. Bridging research and policy So, why are some of the ideas that circulate in the research and policy networks picked up and acted on, while others never make it that far and are ignored and disappear?

7. THE POLICY DEVELOPMENT CYCLE Issue is put on political agenda = policy issue Who drives the issue? Identifying Policy Options  Policy Recommendations Policy Implementation Problem identification Sector Multi-Stakeholders Consultations and monitoring External Factor Analysis: Stakeholder Analysis: Mandate/Interest/ influence/ relationships Opportunities & Threats Lessons learned Detailed Policy planning Policy Formulation and approval

8. THE POLICY DEVELOPMENT CYCLE Issue is put on political agenda = policy issue Who drives the issue? Identifying Policy Options  Policy Recommendations Policy Implementation Problem identification Sector Multi-Stakeholders Consultations and monitoring External Factor Analysis: Stakeholder Analysis: Mandate/Interest/ influence/ relationships Opportunities & Threats Lessons learned Detailed Policy planning Policy Formulation and approval R R R R R

9. But… bridging policy/research and politics Why do we have many good policy documents that seem to have no effect on the real world apparently, and life and politics just seem to go on?

10. Some answers… Policy makers and power holders never meet. Many policies made by clearly ignoring politics and politicians Policies and laws are made in heaven: ‘nirvana’ syndrome – no one wants to be realistic No thought or appreciation for difficulties of implementation: ‘implementers always get the blame for bad planning’ ‘Policies are not for implementation but to define consensus among group of stakeholders’

11. But it is always so bad? Implementation of the Water Law in Wadi Al Qaradah

12. Wadi Alqaradah: Two WUAs If in WUA A a well is developed WUA B will lodge case with NWRA And vice versa: in this way conflicts within the community are prevented And the Water Law is implemented Conclusion: implementation is there but not always straightforward

13. Bridging research, policy and politics The RAPID framework Political context/ stakeholders Evidence/ research Links/ communication Politics and policy making Research, learning & thinking Media, advocacy, networking Wadi Qaradah (6).JPG

14. Bridging research, policy and politics The RAPID framework – Political context Understand the stakeholders What you need to doHow to do it  Who?  Demand for new ideas?  Resistance?  Process?  Opportunities?  Timing?  Know them, and their agendas!  Identify supporters and opponents!  Understanding politics  Prepare for opportunities and keep an eye on the process for windows of opportunities  Work with them  Seek assignments  Line up research programs with policy events  Seek opportunities to meet  Reserve resources for windows of opportunity

15. Bridging research, policy and politics The RAPID framework – Evidence What you need to know – research questions What you need to doHow to do it  What is the current theory?  What are the prevailing narratives - how are issues ‘framed’?  How divergent is new evidence?  What sort of evidence convinces policy makers  Phrase research questions in terms of clear insights and solutions  Do not hide behind ‘complexities’ – but build a convincing case  Engage stakeholders at different level in the research  Establish long term credibility and legitimacy!  Make sure the research is conclusive and quantified  Action-research and pilot projects  Participatory approaches  Clear communication strategy from the start not at the end only

16. Bridging research, policy and politics The RAPID framework – Links/ convincing What you need to know to communicate effectively What you need to doHow to do it  How to reach the key stakeholders?  How and when to present the messages?  What is role of media, informal networks and who are the gatekeepers and what is their influence?  Whose side are they on?  Have a communication plan  Effective messaging  Build on reputation and credibility  Build coalitions and partnerships  Become present in existing networks and use infromal opportunities  Use media wisely  Partnerships between researchers, policy makers, and communities  Make a communication product and events – different strategies for different stakeholders  Communicate together with/ through direct affectees (farmers, women, environmental refugees)  Use diversity of communication channels

17. Bridging research, policy and politics The RAPID framework Political context/ stakeholders Evidence/ research Links/ communication Politics and policy making Research, learning & thinking Media, advocacy, networking ALL ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT THIS IS NOT ALL THAT MATTERS

18. Bridging research, policy and politics When does evidence influence policy?  The evidence fits within the political and institutional limits and pressures of policy makers, and resonates with their assumptions, or sufficient pressure is exerted to challenge these assumptions  The evidence is credible and convincing, provides practical solutions to pressing policy problems, and is packaged to attract policy makers ’ interest  Researchers and policy makers share common networks, trust each other, and communicate effectively

19. Bridging research, policy and politics When does evidence influence policy? But these three conditions are rarely met in practice, because of:  limited capacity/ interests of researchers to influence the political context – peer reviewed papers are better for the career  choices and priorities in work of researchers: preference for fundamental research and peer-reviewed papers, for describing/ identifying never ending issues: ‘the outcome of research is more research’  making diagnoses and general recommendations but not coming with specific recommendations as this is risky

20. Objectives: At the end of the course participants will: Understand the policy development cycle and what research is relevant Have acquired knowledge and skills and tools to engage actively with relevant stakeholders – incl politicians Can rephrase research questions and make a communication plan

21. Bridging research, policy and politics By making more informed, strategic choices, researchers can maximize their chances of influencing policy and politics! Source: http://asymptotia.com/wp-images/2008/07/ucs_cartoons_2008- 7.jpg