This document outlines an IWMI Africa Uptake Strategy. It defines research uptake as the effective utilization of research-based evidence by decision makers. The strategy aims to have a clear impact, demonstrate the value of IWMI's research, and achieve greater success. Key elements include engaging target audiences like policymakers, packaging outputs, and monitoring outcomes. Implementation occurs at the project level and by developing knowledge products and engaging with groups like NEPAD, FARA, and national governments to influence policy and irrigation practices. The strategy recognizes limitations like directly impacting end users.

1. IWMI Africa Uptake
Strategy
12th March 2014
Thor Windham-Wright
Research Uptake and Communications
Coordinator - Africa

2. IWMI Africa Uptake
Strategy
 Definition
 Why? How?
 Key elements
 Implementation
 Tools

3. Definition of research uptake
“The effective utilization of research-based
evidence by decision makers to improve
development practice and policy, and donor
investments, 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.
Putting
people
first..

4. Why an uptake strategy?
To:
 have a clear, targeted impact
 demonstration the value, relevance and practical
utility of our research and its outputs
 achieve greater success in research-for-development

5.  Foster an uptake culture within IWMI
 Strive to strengthen our knowledge of research
user’s needs
 Strategically engage and collaborate
 Balance uptake for ongoing/new projects vs
completed projects
 Package, communicate and disseminate research
outputs
 Monitor and evaluate

6. CGIAR System Level Outcomes and
Intermediate Development Outcomes
Four strategic CGIAR System Level Outcomes
(SLOs):
 Reduced rural poverty
 Improved food security
 Improved nutrition and health
 Sustainably managed natural resources

7. CGIAR System Level Outcomes and
Intermediate Development Outcomes
“Intermediate development outcomes (IDOs) -
represent changes that occur in the medium term
that are intended to affect positively the welfare
of the targeted population or environment, and
which result, in part, from research”*
* Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC)

8. CGIAR System Level Outcomes and
Intermediate Development Outcomes

9. Theories of Change
Outputs - outcomes - impact

10. Impact Pathways
target

11. Target Audiences
Key question:
Who are the most influential people whose actions are
most likely to bring about the change we seek in the
most effective away, impacting the greatest number of
potential beneficiaries?

12. Implementation of this Strategy
Continually raising awareness within IWMI
Project level
Specific
uptake
projects
(IMAWESA)
National,
Regional
and pan-
African level

13. Implementation of this Strategy
Project level

14. Implementation of this Strategy
national, regional and pan-African
Two interrelated paths:
 Development of Key Issue knowledge products
 Targeted stakeholder engagement
Policy focused Research based
New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) /
Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development
Programme (CAADP)
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in
Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)
East African Community (EAC) Centre for Agricultural Research and Development for
Southern Africa (CCARDESA)
Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS)
West & Central African Council for Agricultural
Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD)
Southern African Development Community (SADC) –
Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate
(FANR)
Governments of Ghana, Ethiopia and South Africa
Irrigation
Revitalization

15. Tools for planning and fostering uptake

16. Limitations of Research Uptake
Impacting
end users /
beneficiaries
Engaging
research
users
Research
Activity

17. Thank you