Water Land and Ecosystems Nile & East Africa Planning Writeshop

21-24 October 2014 Addis Ababa

Contents

Session 1: Introductions Session 2: What is WLE Session 3: Visioning and problem-solution tree analysis Session 4: Outcomes and next users Session 5: The messy middle – from outputs to outcomes Session 6: Research Methods, Questions and outputs Session 7: M&E and baseline indicators Session 8: Project budgets, management

Session 1: Introductions/getting started

Workshop Objectives

Significant progress on proposals, workbooks Jointly develop impact pathways Common understanding of WLE and its goals Develop relationships across teams and cross project engagement Understand how projects fit into global and regional impact pathways Understand the support provided by the Focal Region team and

program team, understand coordination mechanisms, reporting mechanisms, roles and responsibilities, processes

Workshop Outputs

Draft proposals Clear process for finalizing proposals Project impact pathways Revised regional impact pathway Understanding of other projects, inter-connections and potential

areas of collaboration Understanding of opportunities that WLE provides at program and

regional levels

Workshop Road Map

Make a large flipchart of workshop flow – don’t worry about day to day agenda

Workshop Values

Examples Participation, inclusion, equitable Joint learning – integration and sharing Keep jargon to a minimum Solution oriented Listening and peer feedback Mobile phones and computers- turn off Parking lot

Ideas for introduction

Writeshop different than workshop• Time for writing, reflection, peer-to-peer review• Not a formal workshop – focus is to help you on your proposal template• Method to madness – the impact pathway is back bone of proposal – if you

get this right then you get the proposal right• We want to help you through this stage/it is in our best interest to have your

proposal succeed R4D is different than research:

• If you want to do research then you don’t need to do all of this, but this is research that is supposed to have positive contribution to development in region and countries – need partnerships/engagement/ listening to others

• in r4d we look at the types of positive contribution we want to make and then engage in processes.

• Working on complex processes – which need multiple perspective. Technologies need to be combined with institutional and social innovation

• Iterative and changing

Introducing participants

Purpose of this exercise is to get people to get to know each other and the set of skills the program has – emphasizing we all work together

Give each participant a ‘post-it’ not to add on to their name badge. Ask them to write:• Project name:• Skill/Area of Focus • Topic area or expectations

3-4 rounds• R1: Have people mingle and find new people they do not know and

discuss• R2: have them find all those with similar skills. Ask Focal Leader are

these the skill needed? • R3: have them organize by topic groups• R4: Line continuum to see where they fall on the R4D Continuum

Session 2: getting to know WLE

1. Regional Presentation of vision, outcomes, outputs – and expectations

2. Introductory presentation of WLE 3. Presentation on ESR4. Presentation on Gender

WLE Nile Basin and East Africa Framework

Presentation Simon Langan, Nile Focal Region Leader

Orientating everyone to the overall frame and linkages between projects.

present all the projects (14 selected ones, and also mention the other 19 other WLE flagship projects in the region) …

WLE Framework

Presentation by Nathanial MatthewsWLE program and IES Flagship

Regional Greater Mekong Cross-cutting topics

…

WLE cross-cutting framework on Ecosystem Services & Resilience and the Nile and East Africa project relevance

Presentation by Fred Kizito

What examples have you seen that could be considered an good example of ESR What entry points for ESR approach do see in your projects

What are the opportunities and challenges for such an approachessix criteria were set up and project contributions to it…

WLE cross-cutting framework on Gender and Equity

Presentation by Nicoline De Haan

How does their project have entry points for access and decision-making Where they see entry points for integrating gender into their projects

What questions/concerns/clarification do they have…

Exercises/discussion

Can ask for both ESR and Gender:• What experiences have they had where gender has had an impact on

their work?

• What are the entry points for gender or ESR in their work

Gender Ice-breaker: Gender Statements

Divide people up into groups of three and provide each with one of the gender statements on a piece of note card

Have them discuss and present whether they agree or disagree Facilitate discussion.

Session 2: Visions and problem-solution tree analysis

WLE Nile basin and East Africa focal region Vision 2025

We aim to support national governments, private investors and donor agencies to better target investments in water, land, energy and agriculture so they are sustainable and socially inclusive, and national growth and poverty goals can be met without degrading the natural resource base.

Ecosystem service values and the equitable distribution of benefits are integrated in water development planning and management.

WLE Nile basin and East Africa focal region Vision 2025

REVISED. Mission versus Vision?? The Nile is a region in which………

[We aim to support] national governments, private investors, and donor agencies and regional collaboration [for to] better target investments in water, land, energy and agriculture so they are sustainable, socially inclusive, and national growth, poverty and food security and nutrition goals are [can be] met by improving the natural resource base.

Ecosystem service values and the equitable distribution of benefits are integrated in natural resource planning and management.

Vision 2025 for your basin

Group by Region:

White Nile: Michael/NicolineBlue Nile: Thor/ DesalegneDownstream Nile: Nate/Abby

Review the WLE Nile Basin & East Africa Focal Region vision.

Consider this guiding information in terms of your basin/geographical area and write a short statement (2-3 sentences) that describes the region 10 years from now, in terms of your projects’ purposes. -- It should be quite aspirational, the world (in your region) you want our children to live in.

Problem Tree

Low incom e for PHsom e chain actors,especially farm ers

1st LEVEL3rd LEVEL 2nd LEVEL

Start

Here

W hy is this problem happening?W hy?W hy?

Problem s

I m provedappropriate PH

technologies andm anagem ent

options not availab le

Traditional PHpractices not

optim ized

H ighpost- harvest

losses

PH practices usedare not eff ective

Other cause I I

Other cause I

4th LEVEL

W hy?

Little knowledgeabout losses

Local m arketsdon't appreciate

quality

S m all holders donot invest in PH

technologies

Leverage points = opportunity to make a big difference

Low incom e for PHsom e chain actors,especially farm ers

1st LEVEL3rd LEVEL 2nd LEVEL

W hy is this problem happening?W hy?W hy?

Problem s

I m provedappropriate PH

technolog ies andm anagem ent

options not availab le

Trad itional PHpractices not

optim ized

H ighpost- harvest

losses

PH practices usedare not eff ective

Other cause I I

Other cause I

4th LEVEL

W hy?

Little knowledgeabout losses

Local m arketsdon 't appreciate

quality

S m all holders donot invest in PH

technolog ies

Main Problemto Goal

ADB project Prob lem TreeRice post harvest losses

PH chain actorsen joy h igher incom e

Opportunities

Public and pr ivatesector suppliers andextension system sm ake im proved PH

technolog ies andpractices availab le

PH chain actorsoptim ize trad itional

PH practices

PH chainactors en joy

lesspostharvest

loss

PH chain actorsuse more effectivetechnologies and

practices

Other cause I I

Other cause IPH chain actors

aw are of PH losses

Traders andconsumers in x,y,zpay more for higher

quality rice

PH chain actorsinvest in PHtechnolog ies

Problems toOutcomes:Problem tree toOutcomes tree

Leverage points

Example of a Problem Tree

Draft a problem tree for the basin/geographical area where the projects can make a big difference

White Nile: Michael/Nicoline

Blue Nile: Thor/ Desalegne

Downstream Nile: Nate/Abby

Within the group, do a quick round of introducing the projects in the basin/geographical area.

Identify what the main problem is in terms of achieving the vision you’ve developed (focusing on a problem which you think you can have an influence on). Write this problem on a card and place it onto the extreme right side of a blank sheet of flipchart paper.

Exercise

2

Draft a problem tree for your basin/geographical area where the projects can make a big difference

Then identify why this is a problem or why it is happening. It helps to think in terms of what the underlying social, economic and/or environmental causes of this problem are, particularly when it comes to climate change, agriculture and food security. You may find that there is one large reason, or you may identify a few. Write them on cards to the left of the problem and connect them with arrows to the problem.

Now look at the reason(s) that you identified and ask yourself, why those things or causes are occurring. Write those on cards and place them in the next column to the left and again connect them to the cause(s) they contribute to in the previous column with an arrow(s). Repeat.

Present vision project-solution trees in plenary and analyse for linkages, gaps any observations.

Exercise

2

Impact pathways

Definitions we are using: Outcome An outcome is a change that results from the project.

Outcomes may include changes in knowledge, attitude, skills, or practices.

Output Tangible product produced from research. This could be a research output or an output for next users

People and/ or organizations …

Next-users …. who are critical to achieve outcomes. Next users undergo a change in knowledge, attitude, skills and/or practice as a result of the project activities, outputs, etc. Projects should define specific next users (which institution, which individual/job role).

Partners …those who are contracted to implement activities with us (can be next-users or intermediaries as well)

Intermediaries ….networks/working groups/organizations/associations that will take our research to next users

Impact pathways

ImpactImpact

OutcomesOutcomes

OutputsOutputs

Activities (research)Activities (research)

Activities (engagement/communications)

Activities (engagement/communications)

Changes in:KnowledgeAttitudeSkills Use of

output(s)Use of

output(s)

Next users

WLE impact pathway diagram

Intermediary Development Outcomes (IDOs)Intermediary Development Outcomes (IDOs)

Flagship 2025 OutcomesFlagship 2025 Outcomes

Flagship 2019 OutcomesFlagship 2019 Outcomes

System Level Outcomes (SLOs)System Level Outcomes (SLOs)

Project OutcomesProject Outcomes Project OutcomesProject Outcomes Project OutcomesProject Outcomes

Regional 2025 OutcomesRegional 2025 Outcomes

Regional 2019 OutcomesRegional 2019 Outcomes

Project Activities Project Activities to Outputsto Outputs

Project Activities Project Activities to Outputsto Outputs

Project Activities Project Activities to Outputsto Outputs

Project Activities Project Activities to Outputsto Outputs

Project CommitmentProject Commitment

Outcome zoneOutcome zoneResearch zoneResearch zone

Output deliveryOutput delivery

Passive Communications‘Dissemination’’Making

available’’Making aware’’Informing’

’Improving understanding’

Passive Communications‘Dissemination’’Making

available’’Making aware’’Informing’

’Improving understanding’

Research Research for development

Project CommitmentProject Commitment

Unanticipated outcome

Unanticipated outcome OutputOutput OutcomeOutcome OutputOutput OutcomeOutcome

Unanticipated outcome

Unanticipated outcomeOutputOutput OutcomeOutcome OutputOutput OutcomeOutcome

Impact pathway flexibility and need for regular review!

Research Output Outcomes

Leadership

Learning

Communications

Partnerships

Trust

Outcome example template

Next user A is using outputs B, C and D – what is more appropriate; pure research outputs or outputs tailored for next user use? - in (what?) way to affect (policy change, build capacity, change behavior, adoption of technical support tools, etc.) at X scale, at point Y on the project timeline, considering Z gender issues (if applicable), and projected towards having development impact E.

Don’t forget outcome(s) need to be: SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attributable, Realistic and Time bound) realistic within the given timeframe and budget

Crafting your outcomes:

Red flags:• Dissemination

• Making available

• Making aware

• Informing

• Improving understanding

• Improved Capacity

Green lights:• SMART (Specific, Measureable, Attributable, Realistic, Time-bound)

• Specificity the knowledge, attitude or skill that will change

• Are achievable – and can do within the budget.

• More we can decide on outcomes/next user – clearer research questions, outputs will be.

Generic types of outcomes:

Changes in: • Capacity: Communities know what questions to ask and how to make

the most of new processes of engagement leading to more local people becoming involved in local decision making processes

• Knowledge: Individuals within the community know and better understand the issues and know where and how to source and use more information

• Practices: Communities and government agencies employ the indicator system in their plans.

• Skills: Farmers and others within the communities have learned how to use new tools and practices that enhance their livelihoods while supporting functioning ecosystem services

Can you come up with examples for all of these?

Identifying project next users

In terms of your project, who are the next-users? Be as detailed as possible, making a long list of specific people and

organizations. Make sure you are identifying next-users, (not end-users). Now group the next-users into a short list of next-user groups. Ideally

you should have no more than 2 or 3 next-user groups

Exercise

3

Proposal Template PART B Section 5

Proposal Template PART B Section 5

Identify specific changes in next users

What are the (measurable) changes you envision in these next users that will lead to achieving the outcomes you’ve identified?

KnowledgeAttitudeSkillsPractice

Exercise

3

Identifying barriers and incentives

What are the barriers they face that keep them from doing what you would like to see happening?

What are the key incentives that would support them to make the necessary changes?

• What are your strategies? How will your project contribute to making these Changes happen? What will your project do that is different? Better? Strategies can be the way you do things (e.g., co-develop instead of impose). Strategies are also the timing, methods, partnerships, ‘language’, etc. you choose to use to make sure any negative assumptions are managed and each is achieved?

• How will you monitor to ensure these strategies are fruitful?

Exercise

5

Next users Changes in next users (practice, skills, etc.)

Barriers & incentives for change

Evidence of demand or interest in research

Exercise

5

Identifying project outcomes

Revisit the project outcomes that you had proposed in the Expression of Interest and compare that/those to what you have learnt through the conversations and Problem-Solution Tree analysis with the other projects in the region.

Make sure that this is formulated as “Exactly who is doing what…differently?”

Make any adjustments if necessary. Present your project (revised) outcomes within your basin groups and get

feedback, e.g. any observations, linkages, similarities to others, fundamental differences, gaps that are arising in the light of the vision that we have put forth.

Look at the Focal region 2019 outcomes and check/ ensure that you are contributing to those or if not flag it for discussion.

Exercise

4

Proposal Template PART B Section 4

Proposal Template PART B Section 4

Nile Focal region 2019 outcomes

Change in practice: At least one other CRP will have adopted a more inclusive systematic approach to ecosystem services thinking greater than plant/field up to community, landscape and basin scales. This will happen within 2-5 years.

Policy development/amendment: The NBI is using WLE tools and forums in their analysis planning and communication to affect policy change across the Nile Basin, specifically the consideration of selected ecosystem services and gender aspects of the policy will be targeted. This will happen within 5 years.

Capacity building: More than 10 national universities/research organizations within the Nile will be using WLE generated knowledge, tools and publications which highlight the role of women and youth in natural resource management. This will occur within 3-5 years.

Investment 1: The World Bank/African Development Bank are using WLE data and analysis and peer-reviewed reports and publications to identify potential sustainable infrastructure development within the Nile. This will occur within 5-10 years.

Investment 2: At least two national government and donors are using WLE analysis and guidance to support decisions on irrigation rehabilitation and new investments within different communities and ecosystems of the Nile. This will occur within 5-10 years.

Flagship IES Outcome 2025Public institutions (e.g. governments, extension services, farmer organizations), Civil

Society Orgs and NGOs at national and sub-national level are widely promoting integrated and equitable ecosystem based approaches to water and land

management.

Nile and East Africa FP1 2019 Outcome StatementsChange in practice: At least one other CRP will have adopted a more inclusive systematic approach to ecosystem services thinking greater than plant/field up to community, landscape and basin scales. This will happen within 2-5 years.

Policy development/amendment: The NBI is using WLE tools and forums in their analysis planning and communication to affect policy change across the Nile Basin, specifically the consideration of selected ecosystem services and gender aspects of the policy will be targeted. This will happen within 5 years.

Capacity building: More than 10 national universities/research organizations within the Nile will be using WLE generated knowledge, tools and publications which highlight the role of women and youth in natural resource management. This will occur within 3-5 years.

Investment 1: The World Bank/African Development Bank are using WLE data and analysis and peer-reviewed reports and publications to identify potential sustainable infrastructure development within the Nile. This will occur within 5-10 years.

Investment 2: At least two national government and donors are using WLE analysis and guidance to support decisions on irrigation rehabilitation and new investments within

different communities and ecosystems of the Nile. This will occur within 5-10 years.

FPX 2019 Outcome #210 Public-private actors (including financing) at national and sub-

national levels are using are using new incentive mechanisms (e.g. novel financial mechanisms) or business models/markets that explicitly

promote ecosystem based approaches in natural resource management especially agriculture using WLE science.

FPX 2019 Outcome #110 Major development initiatives and public institutions at national and subnational levels are using are using WLE’s science and

decision support tools to prioritize and inform project implementation of equitable ecosystem based approaches

Volta and Niger FP1 2019 Outcome Statement

Ganges FP1 2019 Outcome Statement

Greater Mekong FP1 2019 Outcome

Statement

Identifying outputs/ deliverables

In your topic groups, look at the leverage points of your problem/ opportunities and identify the corresponding outputs/deliverables for these entry points and compare them to the outputs that you suggested in your EoI.

Two types of outputs:

1) Research outputs such as models, databases, publications, maps, etc.

2) Outputs to be used by next users such as multimedia products, policy briefs, news articles, map, decision analysis tools, etc. WLE Communication teams can support you on this.

For the Nile and East Africa, it is mandatory that you include in your plan:

• At least 1 Briefing Note

• At least 1 gender and/or equity output related to the activity proposed.

• At least 2 blog posts/ webstories per year.

Exercise

6

Proposal Template PART B Section 6Proposal Template PART B Section 6

Session 5: The messy middle from outputs to outcomes, how to get there

1. Stakeholder analysis and mapping

2. How to engage/communicate/partner

Develop a network diagram for the sub-basin

Next users: • Use post-its for next users

Relationships• Use arrows to describe direction and linkages• Use linkages with weight (strong, weak, need to be

developed)• Put dots (1, 2, 3) for importance and power of actors• Are there other partners or intermediaries involved? Put

these on post-its (different colour)• Are there champions who can move things forward/open

doors?

Exercise

6

4.

A Network Diagram

An example project network, actors linked by funding flows, research, spreading project outputs

4.

By Drawing your network we …

… get a kind of stakeholder analysis, an inventory of actors and participants and their roles, influences etc. in relation to the project.

… capture real-life complexity, e.g. how we are influenced by many things how we influence many others, or showing power and gender.

… can understand innovation processes, which happen through different actors, acting in networks.

… help visualize, understand and monitor these networks.

Share an example where you used a specific engagement/comms strategy to successfully get some project results being used and thus contributing to a significant development change (outcome in terms of knowledge, attitude, skills practice behavior). It has to be your story, you are proud of having been a part of it and having had a role and contribution to the success. It can be from previous work. *Try to do this along the impact pathway

1.Share in pairs (with the person next to you) – 2 mins each2.Then in fours (pair next to you)3.Then groups of 3/4 4.Award the best story – stick a post-it to the persons whose story you liked best let the person who got the most post-its tell their story to the whole ⇒group, and possibly a couple more the next morning.

Jumpstart story telling Exerci

se

7

Elements of a good story

Know Your AUDIENCE, gender nationality, background, their likings, the more the better

THE STAKES / Your HOOK - grab people’s attention; what’s at stake

TENSION/URGENCY – the clock is ticking, we have a situation here

THE THEME = key messages running through: Main message needs to fit the audience, it comes first and last and is used as a lense/ editing tool

THE JOURNEY – Show the transformation Ending - Make it a good ending Encourage action or follow up (depending on the context)

Presentation on Engagement, partnerships, communication

Michael to provide/work on.

Three broad areas

Sustaining engagement/communication

Impacts Impacts

Outcomes Outcomes

ResearchResearch

Communication/engagement over time

Project Start up

Project Start up

Project Launch Project End

Engagement with stakeholders and partners & Messaging

Communicate about the project

Document processes, learning and outputs

Communicate about the Science

Communicate ‘the science’ &outcomes

Repackage, translate, adapt the science

Com

munication roles over

time

DO

ENGAGE YOUR TARGET AUDIENCES RIGHT FROM THE WORD ‘GO’.

Convene. Link your outputs to outcomes. Think creatively. Link your comms strategies with programmatic ones. Set aside staff time and funding for comms activities (including

programme level comms activities) . Set aside project time for chasing outcomes and follow up. Really focus on the upper two levels of the pyramid (‘the hook’ and

‘the big picture’). Involve target groups at every available opportunity in project

implementation. Take advantage of C&C project support.

What to support to expect from the WLE Impact and Communication team

Strategies

Identify a strategies and approaches to ensure you are engaging next users. This can include:• New engagement strategies and processes – linking to new

policies, initiatives, activities to get next users or intermediaries involved in project

• Identifying appropriate partners and intermediaries• Communication and advocacy processes products/materials to

engage next users:- Mobile workshops/exchanges/round tables - Social and alternative media- Comics, video, radio, press,

Exercise

8.

Strategies table

Next user Engagement Partnerships/Intermediaries

Communication activities to reach them (products, meetings, etc )

Depart. of Agriculture Transformation

• Monthly meeting with Director or key staff

• Sign MOU• Attend Sector

Meetings• Present at

meeting

Develop relationship with GIZ and USAID team working with ATA

Ask IFPRI for introductions they have good relationship

• Ethiopian brochure on project

• Regular press release for them to read

• Study tour to visit sites

• Film to show work

Exercise

8.

Session 6: Research Questions and Methods

Research questions and methodologies

In your project teams develop your research questions and methodologies that you want to apply further.

Discuss and share them in your topic groups or with other selected project teams where you think they are a good peer review for this.

Exercise

6

Proposal Template PART B Section 7Proposal Template PART B Section 7

Assumptions

What are your 3-5 key underlying assumptions in your project plan?

Evidence of demand or interest in outputs from next users – Y/N

A. Director of extension services in the Ministry of Water Resources asked us directly for guidance on integrating ecosystem services into the draft new national irrigation policy

B. Farmers in the communities where we are conducting our research project need to change their practices and adopt new solutions to stop soil erosion on their farms

C. The capacity of women trading in agricultural products in the Bahir Dar area should be improved enabling them to better understand the whole product value chain for vegetables

D. After speaking to 8 community leaders representing over 250 farming families in the area, at least 4 of them acknowleged verbally that they don‘t really understand why enclosing livestock makes a difference to their soils and their overall productivity

Session 7: Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring and Evaluation for your project

Baselines and indicators

What is Monitoring & Evaluation?

M&E for Performance Management = Accountability

Two main aspects of accountability: 1.Supporting project performance management

2.Supporting learning and adjustment towards outcomes

Who is it for?

1. M&E for Performance Management = Accountability

a) Project management:• Financial and administrative• Output products on time and within budget

b) Monitoring and documentation towards outcomes. Projects gather data/evidence of:• Engagement with research users • Understanding research users’ needs and priorities• Progress and changes along the impact pathway• How research users do or do not use research (intended and

unintended outcomes)• Reasonable evidence that the project has made a contribution in

the change process (when compared to the absence of the program)

What does this mean for your project?Section 8 of the WLE Proposal Template: Measuring Progress towards Outcomes

1.Include indicators of progress towards outcomes- 1 indicator for each change along impact pathway towards outcomes- Consider now how to collect information for each indicator

2.Baselines = starting point in relation to outcome. - Projects will report progress in relation to the baseline using the

indicators.

1. M&E for Performance Management = Accountability

An indicator is a simple and reliable way to measure something (e.g. what changes, by how much, who changes, where, when). Can be either qualitative or quantitative. When the data/information is collected, it should be useful for project management.

Project Outcome: “2 Nile community organizations or agricultural cooperatives are able to monitor river health within the next 3 years”

Discussion: What is the baseline? What are indicators of change, both outcome and progress indicators?

Discussion exercise: baseline & indicators

What does this mean for your project?Part C of the WLE Proposal Template: Implementation Plan. Include:1.Systematic tracking and documentation of progress towards outcomes2.Reflection, documentation and sharing of learning

- Understanding priorities and research needs of stakeholders (particularly women)

- Understanding what research can/can not contribute to change process- Refinement of outcomes and impact pathway (with justification)

WLE Proposal Template Budget. Projects should include budget to:1.Engage with stakeholders throughout the project2.Document/collect evidence at each step of the impact pathway and changes to it3.Test assumptions of the impact pathway. Example of a project assumption: Training government agency A will result in Outcome B. The project needs to test whether this assumption is correct and why/why not.

Project learning & adjustment

2. Project and WLE learning (beyond accountability)

Keeping it WACKY!

- What do we know about the most effective ways to support improved livelihoods and ecosystem resilience through research?- Project design = an “experiment”. The project creates a “theory” about how change will happen. Through monitoring, reflection and learning, this theory is tested. - We seek to better understand factors that influence the use of research, better understand what research can/cannot contribute to.

Evaluation of impacts

Individual projects are not responsible for impact evaluations. WLE will conduct evaluations to understand impact of project outcomes.

Impact evaluations will use project monitoring and documentation of learning.

Outcome indicators, supporting information and baseline

Progress indicator towards achieving Outcome

Information or data you will use to verify this

Details of baseline that will be used to assess achievement of Outcome