FAO and the SHARED Decision Hub provide a virtual training on enhancing the science-policy interface
12 August 2020
Science, Policy & Institutions
The cross-cutting theme of Science, Policy, & Institutions is integrated into all RFS country projects and is a key focus within the Regional Hub. This theme focuses on fostering a common understanding of key evidence around ecological sustainability and resilience as well as integrating that evidence within relevant policy processes.
The multi-dimensional nature of agriculture and food security within sub-Saharan Africa is inherently complex, involving a wide range of actors, mandates, and priorities that often compete and conflict. Government ministries often work within specific mandates with little cross-sectoral communication, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. This has resulted in policies and institutions that fail to reflect the interconnected nature of climate, environment, agriculture, and food security.
Effective policymaking and public programme implementation is often further challenged by the information and data gaps that exist in African countries due to lack of capacity, lack of funding, or lack of quality control and data harmonisation. In the absence of accessible information and usable evidence, actors with both public and private spheres are often tasked with establishing strategies and action plans without a strong evidence base. This leads to, for example, agricultural policies and incentives programmes that are misaligned with future climate scenarios, resulting in potentially negative impacts, such as the promotion of crops that are ill-suited for future climate realities.
Science, Policy & Institutional interventions aim to bring together the right stakeholders in the appropriate forums to analyse and disseminate scientific and practical evidence in order to effectively align policy and institutional frameworks with realities on the ground. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between agricultural and environmental agendas through the promotion of integrated approaches that work to achieve food security, improved incomes, and the protection and rehabilitation of ecosystems in rural communities.
Interventions within this theme involve the establishment and promotion of mechanisms for multi-stakeholder coordination, planning and investment. These mechanisms and platforms provide an opportunity for cross-sectoral dialogue and collective decision-making. RFS country projects are also working to influence existing policy and institutional dialogue processes by improving access to information, facilitating knowledge exchange, and developing institutional capacities.
Within each country, the RFS programme is working to promote dialogue and collaboration between relevant government ministries and stakeholders from the development community, private sector, and civil society. The ultimate aim of this multi-stakeholder collaboration is the development of supportive policies and incentives for smallholder farmers to adopt productive, sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.
In Burkina Faso, the RFS country project team is facilitating national and regional dialogues to support the integration of Land Degradation Neutrality targets within national planning frameworks. The Nigeria team has established a Public-Private Partnership platform for policymakers, civil society actors, and representatives from all links within groundnut and rice value chains to establish sustainable structures and partnerships for value chain development. The Regional Hub has developed a digital Science-Policy Interface to provide up-to-date information to decision-makers and to document best practices for country project teams.
Explore the RFS Country Projects to see more examples of how RFS countries are implementing Science, Policy & Institutions activities.
Stories from the Field
Explore our stories from the field to learn more about how RFS country project teams are implementing activities related to the programmatic theme of Science, Policy & Institutions.
Relevant resources
We have a growing library of reports, briefs, case studies, media, tools and guidelines. Explore all resources related to Science, Policy & Institutions to get greater insight into our programme activities.
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Farmer Field Schools for Small-scale Livestock Producers | A Guide for Decision Makers on Improving Livelihoods
- All Countries
- Rural Extension & Capacity Development
- Sustainable Land Management
- Science, Policy & Institutions
- Training Materials
- Tools & Guidelines
20 August 2020More infoThis guide was developed to inform decision makers (e.g. government officials, programme managers) about the potential of Livestock FFS to develop and support small-scale livestock production in pastoralist, agro-pastoralist and small-scale farming systems. In particular, it helps decision makers gain basic knowledge of the FFS approach, learn about how FFS contributes to the livelihoods of livestock dependent communities, and comprehend the potential value of the FFS approach in a wider range of animal production systems and socio-economic settings.
This guide was prepared by the Animal Production and Genetics Branch (AGAG) of FAO’s Animal Production and Health Division with the participations of experienced Crop and Livestock FFS practitioners.
FAO & SHARED Enhancing the Science-Policy Interface Training Webinar II: Evidence and Policy Processes
29 July 2020More infoIn July 2020, FAO and the SHARED Decision Hub held a series of webinars to build the capacity of RFS country projects in enhancing policy and institutional engagement to achieve project outcomes. The second webinar focused on integrating evidence into policy processes. The presentation provided an overview of how to navigate power dynamics the key principles of advocacy followed by lessons on how to communicate and integrate evidence into policy processes. A full recording of the webinar can be viewed here.
FAO & SHARED Enhancing the Science-Policy Interface Training Webinar I: Stakeholder Processes and Relationships
15 July 2020More infoIn July 2020, FAO and the SHARED Decision Hub held a series of webinars to build the capacity of RFS country projects in enhancing policy and institutional engagement to achieve project outcomes. The first webinar focused on stakeholder processes and relationships. The presentation provided an overview of how to map stakeholders and assess relationships and levels of influence within a system. This was followed by an overview of how to build strategic partnerships and deepen relationships within the system. A full recording of the webinar can be viewed here.
Country Projects
Burkina Faso
Burundi
eSwatini
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Malawi
Niger
Nigeria
Senegal
Tanzania
Uganda
Regional Hub
Project Themes
Agroforestry & Reforestation
Gender
Integrated Water Resource Management
Knowledge & Learning
Monitoring & Evaluation
Rural Extension & Capacity Development
Science, Policy & Institutions
Sustainable Land Management
Value Chains & Market Access
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