EIARD Work Programme 2000

(Second Edition 28. 2. 2000)

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Introduction

The EIARD Work Programme is based on the strategy and the logframe. It is structured according to the output level of both documents and it adds background information and steps to take to the activity level. The first draft version was discussed by the EIARD Working Group (WG) on 20 January 2000. Amendments discussed to the first draft version (17.1.2000) and conclusions of the January WG were considered in this version.

The EIARD strategy was the first document to be developed. It was discussed and endorsed by the European Forum in April 1999.

The EIARD log frame was the result of a process starting later, in June 1999. Steps have been: a "team up" meeting in June, written comments by EIARD members on a first draft until September and a final discussion at EIARD ECG in Athens in October 1999 where consensus was reached on the goal, purpose and output level. The activity level was enriched during the discussions.

The EIARD strategy and the log frame are closely linked and coherent. Outputs of the logframe relate to the Output chapters of the strategy document, though due to the different history of both documents the order is not the same. The order of the logframe relates to the working priorities of EIARD: 1. European Policy Coordination, 2. Enabling mechanisms for European and Southern partnerships, 3. Support to Regions in the South, 4. Support to NARS

Output 1: Coordinated European positions on ARD, including international organisations, Coherent positions and synergies developed between research and development policies and other relevant policies

Activities

1.1 Define status and obtain approval of strategy / Publish strategy/ refine logframe

Background and Activities: the EIARD ECG in Athens ratified the EIARD strategy in October 1999. Minor amendments were incorporated in the text. The secretariat will provide options for publication for the January 2000 Working Group to decide (depending also on available funds). Draft translations in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese will be provided by the secretariat. They should be finalised by the EIARD Members concerned. The document including the strategy, the log frame, a covering note about the need to invest in agricultural research for development will be ready for the Global Forum in May 2000. The EIARD WG decided to produce two publications in English until the Global Forum: the strategy and a second leaflet with a brief description of EIARD. The Logframe (Goal, Purpose and Outputs) will be published with the strategy. It should be revised regularly. Each working group should have brief look at it.

EIARD members will implement the strategy in accordance with their own rules and procedures.

1.2 EIARD Work Programme elaborated

Background and Activities: The elements of the EIARD Work Programme 2000 were discussed in Athens. A first draft version (17.1.2000) was discussed and amended by the EIARD Working Group in January 2000. This is the second version based on the conclusions of the January WG. Like the logframe it has to be reviewed by the EIARD Working Group regularly, being revisited for the year 2001 by the EIARD ECG in Lisbon.

1.3 European coordination established and positions on the following topics elaborated

(a) EU Group / EIARD joint group in the negotiations of the international undertaking

Background: CBD led to a shift in paradigm, Genetic resources are owned by countries and no longer conceived as heritage of mankind. This made the harmonisation and renegotiation of the International Undertaking (IU) to comply with CBD necessary. The critical and interlinked issues in recent negotiations end of September 1999 were: Access, Scope and Benefit Sharing. G77 expects a European proposal on benefit sharing in the next negotiations in April 2000. In the European Union a discussion on the political level took place in the Agriculture Council Meeting in November 1999. Funding is a problem on different levels. The EU group in the negotiations is close to an agreement that the administrative costs of the multilateral system (meetings, secretariat, and administration) could be covered by the regular FAO budget. For all operational costs to implement the multilateral system, programs and projects should be agreed and assessed. Contributions on voluntary basis should include new and additional ones through the existing financial mechanisms (international, regional, national and local). On this last matter it is important that EIARD members interact nationally with other Ministries concerned.

The EIARD / EU group which met in early September decided to bring these issues to the attention to the CGIAR members. On EIARD initiative a substantial discussion at ICW 99 took place. This is now followed-up by an initiative of the Global Forum, mainly on two aspects (a background and an issues paper is available on the EIARD Intranet):

- Raise awareness to keep enough flexibility in emerging national legislations on access to genetic resources to allow flow of genetic resources among countries for research and technological development purposes.

- Establishment of the multilateral system, what are the benefits it generates for the participating countries, how can it be organised, how can it be implemented.

Activities: The joint group will meet on an ad-hoc basis, whenever an interaction between European positions in ARD and in the negotiations is needed, using E-mail communication in between.

The EIARD WG will regularly be informed to decide on specific initiatives in support of the negotiations when appropriate. The EIARD Intranet sites will inform on ongoing development; they will be used as a platform for information exchange.

(b) Discuss and develop future options for Agricultural Research for Development Mechanisms on Global, Regional, NARS-level

Background: Major actors in Agricultural Research for Development are the NARS, emerging regional organisations of NARS, the CGIAR Centers, the ARIs, NGOs and the private sector. The EIARD strategy supports an enabling framework of all actors to play their role better in future, this approach will be further developed and adapted, linked also to the development of a European funding strategy.

Activities: EIARD will continue to develop crucial inputs from a policy perspective, to create an enabling framework for all actors in ARD, to keep existing mechanisms on the right track. The EIARD WG and EIARD ECG will continue to interact on options developed by EIARD members to come to joint European positions when appropriate.

(c) CGIAR of the future in the global system (restructuring)

Background: The System review of the CGIAR left major questions open on how the CG can respond to the changing international framework. Adapting to an environment of stronger partners in research, of funding getting insecure, as spelled out in the EIARD letter to the CGIAR chair. At ICW 1999 responsibilities and a draft time schedule have been concluded for CGIAR restructuring. TAC will lead the process in various interactions with other constituencies, including open e-mail discussion in December 99/ January 2000.

Until Mid Term Meeting 2000 the process towards a new CGIAR vision and strategy will be concluded, at ICW 2000 a decision will be taken on how to deploy resources and on needed institutional changes.

EIARD contributed to the vision and strategy process with the paper: "CGIAR 2010: Issues and Options", developed by the EIARD WG in January 2000.

Activities: EIARD will continue to provide the inputs from an ARD policy perspective. Following up on the letter at ICW 1999, the EIARD WG Issues and Options paper and looking forward to inputs in relevant other steps of the process. It will be an important item on the EIARD WG agenda on 11 May 2000.

(d) Consult and harmonise European operational positions regarding CGIAR meetings and policies

Activities: EIARD secretary to prepare EIARD WG meetings before MTM, 11 May 2000 and early September to prepare for ICW and EIARD ECG early October. EIARD members should share their positions with other partners in EIARD.

(e) European Funding strategy of International Agricultural Research, including the CGIAR

Consult on allocation of resources of EIARD members to the CGIAR, including arguments based on subsidiarity and complementarity of Commission funding.

Background and Activities: This point consists of several elements:

- EIARD members should keep each other informed on the mechanisms used to fund international agricultural research, be it multilateral funding, sector specific funding or bilateral funding of specific projects to allow every member to improve its own mechanisms through information on better practice gained by others

A questionnaire has been distributed (Deadline 10 January 2000) to EIARD members. The questionnaire will be evaluated by Stephan Krall (Germany). Results should be available for the EIARD WG in May.

- European Commission funding to the CGIAR has to be based in future on a concept of clear added European value, compared to member states efforts. Exchange of information on funding priorities of members is the first step to come to this overall European perspective.

A first draft of a European Commission concept to fund ARD was presented to the EIARD WG mid January. With support of UK and France this apporach will be further refined, including the elements of the Working Group discussions. EIARD members will be asked for comments on further drafts of the document.

Guy Poulter has prepared an overview of Member States funding to the CGIAR. The overview is further refined by Fulvia Bonaiuti. EIARD members will be asked to check their national contributions.

- Funding of the weakest parts in Agricultural Research for Development, the NARS and their better regional integration is a point of continuous concern. The EIARD strategy calls for support to south-south collaboration in agricultural research through regional and subregional research organisations (more details: output 3).

Two questionnaires have been distributed with a deadline of 10 January 2000 on regional funding in Africa and the Mediterranean region. The information provided was quite substantial concerning funding of the CGIAR, but did not yield much results concerning funding for regional cooperation in ARD. Why? Most of the funding of EIARD members is on a bilateral basis. Regional funding opportunities are either linked to political goals (support to the peace process in the Near East), or to very subject specific regional projects (faba bean network) or linked to ecoregional projects under CG center leadership. The European Commission has pronounced regional funding programmes, but the sectorial orientation often makes it difficult to accommodate for ARD.

A first overview concerning the Mediterranean countries was ready for the meeting with AARINENA (Mediterranean) on 10/11 February 2000, a similar paper will be provided for the meeting with FARA (Africa) on 12 - 14 of April 2000.

(f) Assisst in clarifying the contribution of agricultural research to poverty alleviation (direct and indirect effects)

Background and Activities: Poverty alleviation is the ultimate goal of policies of development cooperation in member countries as well as at the European Commission and finally of EIARD. It is also a crucial stand-alone feature of the CGIAR compared to ARIs or the private sector. EIARD ECG in Athens was informed about the CIAT workshop on linkages between poverty alleviation and investments in ARD. EIARD will serve as a mechanism for interaction of EIARD members and concertation of relevant national efforts (UK, CH).

(g) EIARD to provide strengthened guidance to the INFOSYS Steering Committee,

Background: In its second phase InfoSys has to prove its performance.

- Concerning the linkage function to make the European ARD landscape visible

- Its editorial function has to be closely linked to EIARD and to the European Forum to serve the needs of policy coordination and of ARD coordination in Europe

It has to reinforce consistency, improve access and show cost efficiency

Activity: EIARD secretary to chair the EIARD InfoSys steering committee. EIARD WG and EIARD ECG will be updated on progress made.

1.5 Initiate, prepare and strengthen EIARD members initiatives on awareness raising

On hold. EIARD can be used as a mechanism by members to add a European level to initiatives in Member Countries.

Output 2: Effective ARD partnerships within Europe, and between European and other partners exist

2.1 Develop understanding of parameters required for successful partnerships

Background and Activities: The EIARD strategy puts an emphasis on scientific partnerships with the South to address development problems. Different approaches to facilitate such partnerships are existing in Europe. EIARD initiated the European Forum to better organise the European response to development needs. EIARD will encourage this mechanism to continue. The EIARD WG and EIARD ECG will continue to interact with the European Forum and with existing thematic and institutional networks in order to strengthen the European response in a common approach.

Interactions with thematic networks like IPM Europe and institutional networks like NATURA and ECART will continue.

2.2 Identify priority areas for joint action including partnerships, cooperative programmes and thematic networks

Background and Activities: EIARD initiated the European Forum. The European Forum recommendations defined priorities for joint European actions. It is up to EIARD members to consider these recommendations. The European Commission through its INCO programme is funding European thematic networks related to ARD like IPM Europe, Burotrop, ETFRN.

New networks like the natural resource management network recommended by the European Forum may apply for funding under the existing funding schemes (for example INCO-DEV concerted actions)

2.3 Provide for research orientation to cover knowledge deficiencies

Background and Activities: EIARD can be used by EIARD members as a platform of exchange to further develop ARD instruments. The European response to cover knowledge deficiencies in ARD should be better coordinated. The exchange in EIARD on funding instruments used by its members to invest in ARD is a first step.

This has to be developed further in the meetings of the EIARD WG and ECG ahead in the year 2000.

2.4 Identify and follow-up activities from European Forum

Background and Activities: EIARD is following up the recommendations of the European Forum. They were accommodated in the EIARD strategy and the EIARD work programme as far as possible. A formal EIARD response to the European Forum steering committee will be sent to the EF steering committee chair before their first meeting in 2000.

The EIARD secretary and other EIARD members are participating in the European Forum steering committee.

2.5 Provide appropriate contributions in support of the Global Forum

Background: The EIARD ECG in Athens concluded the following:

EIARD encourages the active leading role of the European Forum in the Global Forum discussions. European support to regional mechanisms should be developed in a coordinated way. The policy level and the European institutions have a role to play, always respecting the demand orientation of the process.

EIARD will play an active role in support of the Global Forum and the post Dresden initiatives.

Activities: Main points for EIARD in 2000 remain:

- Use the Dresden Global Forum 2000 to contribute actively to new opportunities in agricultural research for development from a policy point of view. Especially focussing on a post-Dresden initiative.

- Strengthening of regional organisations

- Facilitate EIARD InfoSys to play its role as a regional agricultural information system

2.6 Develop exisiting partnership mechanisms (INCO) further, Coordinate EIARD members views on INCO

Background: INCO-DEV is the mechanism of the European Commission to facilitate research partnerships for development. It is justified by the Amsterdam Treaty of the European Union which defines the European Research Policy:

Article 163: The Community shall have the objective of strengthening the scientific and technological bases of Community industry and encouraging it to become more competitive at international level, while promoting all the research activities deemed necessary by virtue of other Chapters of this Treaty

The Research Framework Programme is the instrument of the Commission to implement this policy. The INCO programme is part of the Framework Programme and INCO-DEV is the part of the programme facilitating research with the South. The main focus of the Framework Programme is on the first part of Article 163, while the INCO-DEV programme relates to the second part, being justified by the policies of development cooperation and external relations. It is not a "main stream" activity of the Framework Programme therefore it tends to have a weak position when overall discussions on the orientation of a new Framework Programme are starting. Strong arguments are needed to highlight the added value and the opportunities for both sides when European investments in research partnerships with the south are considered.

Discussions on the 6^th Research Framework Programme will start during the year 2000. The major event during this year, the Global Forum, should be used to discuss in the section of "Policy management and institutions" on principles and future opportunities of a mechanism facilitating research partnerships between Europe and the South.

A first document on the 6^th Research Framework Programme will be launched in July and send to Member States. It is very important to interact on these first drafts

Activities:

The EIARD WG in January 2000 concluded the following activities: EIARD will develop activities, including interaction with the European Forum, the national fora and the institutional European networks on ARD on a rationale and a policy for ARD. France will develop a first draft paper based on a national perspective by May, a small EIARD group should work with Gilles Saint-MARTIN to develop this approach further into a European perspective. Before the GFAR in Dresden a paper should be ready, the next EIARD WG in May will discuss it.

The INCO programme has been proposed as a case study under Policy Management and Institutions of the Global Forum. It has been accepted as a case to be presented in the sub-plenary. EIARD members should actively contribute to the discussions. The conclusions and recommendations of this discussion should be conveyed on a national level in member countries to the national INCO committee representatives and the Ministries of Research.

EIARD members should comment on the orientation of the international dimension in the envisaged 6^th Framework Programme, taking the Commission Communication scheduled for July 2000 as a first starting point.

EIARD WG and EIARD ECG should continuously follow-up the issue.

2.7 Provide a means for southern partners to bring their ARD needs to the attention of EIARD members

Background: EIARD is starting better coordination of the European response for NARS needs on regional level. NARS participating in processes of regional priority setting have the opportunity to put their needs on the regional agenda for interaction with Europe.

Another aspect is the ongoing process of common priority setting between regions and the European Commission in the frame of the INCO programme. Through regional organisations NARS can participate in this process.

Transparency of funding mechanisms of EIARD members should be increased to make them easier accessible for partners in the South. EIARD started a process with questionnaires in 1999 and EIARD InfoSys provided on the request of EIARD an report on accessibility of funding mechanisms on the Internet

Activities: The EIARD Members should increase the visibility of their funding sources on the Internet. EIARD InfoSys can then be used as a tool to access this information.

Output 3. Effective ARD collaboration between Southern organisations exist

3.1 - 3.4 Interact with the NARS Secretariat / Regional Organisations on sustainable development of Regional Organisations, EIARD members to identify whether further bilateral funding mechanisms exist, identify and recommend support action for enhanced ARD mechanisms, document likely sustainability of RO/SROs based on stakeholder support

Background: Implementing the EIARD strategy during ICW 99 in Washington discussions were held with AARINENA (Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa) and with African Regional Organisations. The EIARD ECG in Athens concluded that European coordination interactions should take place prior to regional meetings and it was decided that EIARD will serve as a mechanism for information exchange and concertation. To that end EIARD members were invited to share information on their support for regional organisations.

Activities:

- The secretariat prepared a questionnaire to address EIARD members.. The questionnaire was sent out (deadline 10 January), not all EIARD members replied yet.

- EIARD InfoSys has been requested to produce a report on funding information available on the Internet. The report has been received early January. (see also activity 1 e)

- Meeting with AARINENA on 10 / 11 February 2000 in Portugal

A two day meeting is envisaged, starting on 10 February in the afternoon (participants have time to travel in the morning) with European coordination, looking at the result of the questionnaires and preparing a coordinated answer to AARINENA. The next day until early afternoon the meeting will be together with AARINENA, CIHEAM and FAO representatives, the NARS secretariat and a consultant who supported AARINENA in developing its strategy. It is envisaged that from the EIARD side members will join who are supporting agricultural research programmes in the Mediterranean Region and who are interested in exploring further possibilities of increasing regional cooperation. The results of the meeting will enhance European - WANA cooperation on programme and on institutional level. Results of the meeting can be used to highlight the opportunities in enhancing ARD Cooperation in the WANA ministers of agriculture meeting, the Monitoring Committee Meeting of European Mediterranean Research cooperation and the Global Forum in Dresden.

- Meeting with SPAAR / FARA in Conakry on 12 April 2000

The process of European Coordination in Africa is more advanced. There is a tradition of European Donors observing SPAAR meetings. As SPAAR (a World Bank / Donor mechanism) will gradually be replaced by FARA (a mechanism based on the (Sub-) Regional Organizations in Africa) it is important to strengthen the European role in line with the EIARD strategy. In previous SPAAR meetings European Donors observed that support to RO and SRO in Africa is unbalanced and were in favor of better European information / coordination. Who intends to participate this time?

3.5 Collate existing information on impact, facilitate the further development of Impact strategies

see 4. 2

Output 4. Dialogue with policy makers on issues concerning sustainable institutional development in NARS established.

4.1 Document successful approaches to institutional strengthening

Background: This activity is closely linked to horizontal activities in research for development. At the European Commission level Directorate General Development, Unit B3, launched a series of diagnostic studies on research needs, problems and opportunities particularly at the policy level. Local consultants are being recruited for this purpose in Ghana and a contract with a European institute is being issued for a study in the Dominican Republic. Other studies are planned for the Indian Ocean Region and possibly Uganda. A limited invitation to tender for a study on possible issues and options for a European Foundation for Research for Development has been launched.

Activities: A further Expert Group Meeting at DG DEV is envisaged during the first half of 2000. The agenda is likely to include discussion of the outcome of the completed diagnostic studies and the issues and option paper on a possible Research Foundation. EIARD members should interact with their national participants

4.2 Assisst in developing an impact assessment strategy, reference to EIARD Impact paper, task force group to set up

Background: The dialog with the regional organizations will explore opportunities of support, but will also have to address issues on how to improve institutions: inclusiveness of NARS (beyond agricultural research organizations, including universities and NGOs) and impact. Guy Poulter has produced an EIARD draft paper. In November a successful workshop on impact assessment was organized by ECART with support from the European Commission (CTA and INCO). The long-term objective is to improve the implementation of impact assessment in Eastern and Central Africa. The need for impact assessment is widely recognised; however, the implementation is till limited. The workshop was very successful in raising awareness of the participants from NARS and ASARECA networks on the importance of an impact culture at organisation level. (preliminary report is available on EIARD-Intranet). Similar approaches with other regions (Caribbean, Mediterranean?) might follow. EIARD should continue to develop the European perspective.

Activities: The WG in May 2000 should decide on the envisaged impact assessment expert group.

EIARD Work Programme

Overview and Specification of Acitivites

(28. 2. 2000)

Activities	Responsibilities	Time Schedule and Notes
(Output 1: Coordinated European positions on ARD, including international organisations, Coherent positions and synergies developed between research and development policies and other relevant policies) 1.1 Define status and obtain approval of strategy / Publish strategy/ refine logframe 1.2 EIARD workprogramme elaborated 1.3 European coordination established and positions on the following topics elaborated: - (a) EU group / EIARD joint group in the negotiations of the international undertaking. Follow-up FAO-IU /CGIAR policy development to harmonise CGIAR needs and opportunities with FAO-IU options and implications - (b) Discuss and develop future visions for Agricultural Research for Development. Mechansims on Global, Regional, NARS-level - (c) CGIAR of the future in the global system (restructuring) future visions for the CGIAR, what kind of system? Would we like to establish a think-tank? - (d) Consult and harmonise European operational positions regarding CGIAR meetings and policies - (e) European Funding strategy of International Agricultural Research, including the CGIAR Consult on allocation of resources of EIARD members to CGIAR, including arguments based on subsidiarity and complementarity of Commission funding - (f) Assist in clarifying contribution of agricultural research to poverty allevation (direct and indirect effects) - (g) EIARD to provide strengthened guidance to INFOSYS Steering Committee 1.5 Initiate, prepare and strengthen EIARD members initiatives on awareness raising (Output 2: Effective ARD partnerships within Europe,and between European and other partners exist) 2.1 Develop understanding of parameters required for successful partnerships 2.2 Identify priority areas for joint action including partnerships, cooperative programmes and thematic networks 2.3 Provide for research orientation to cover knowledge deficiencies 2.4 Identify and follow-up activities from European Forum 2.5 Provide appropriate contributions in support of the Global Forum 2.6 Develop exisiting partnership mechanisms (INCO) further, Coordinate EIARD members views on INCO 2.7 Provide a means for southern partners to bring their ARD needs to attention of EIARD members (Output 3. Effective ARD collaboration between Southern organisations exist) 3.1 Interact with the NARS Secretariat / Regional Organisations on sustainable development of Ros, 3.2 EIARD members to identify whether further bilateral funding mechanisms exist. 3.3 Identify and recommend support action for enhanced ARD mechanisms 3.4 Document likely sustainability of RO/SROs based on stakeholder support 3.5 Collate exisiting information on impact, facilitate the further development of Impact strategies (Output 4. Dialogue with policy makers on issues concerning sustainable institutional development in NARS established) 4.1 Doument successful approaches to institutional strengthening 4.2 Assisst in developing an impact assessment strategy, reference to EIARD Impact paper,	Secretary / Guy Poulter / Working Group Secretary / WG EIARD task force group Gerasimos Apostolatos, Christine Grieder, Mirja Suurnäkki, Carl-Gustaf Thornström, Beate Weiskopf, Secretary EIARD WG /ECG Klaus Winkel, WG /ECG ECG Uwe Werblow, Alain Darthenucq, Fulvia Bonaiuti (IAO,Italy), Stephan Krall, Marlene Diekmann, Guy Poulter, Secretary UK, CH Secretary, WG ECG, Secretary WG / ECG WG / ECG / EC DG Research (Alain Darthenucq) / EC DG Development WG, EIARD members WG, European Forum Steering Committee and representatives in the Global Forum Steering Committee Jaak Sinnaeve, Alain Darthenucq INCO, Alain Darthenucq WG / ECG in collaboration with NARS secretariat Secretariat / ECG ECG, WG, Joao Borges, Uwe Werblow, Secretariat ECG, Uwe Werblow DG DEV B3 diagnostic studies Rob Scheer Guy Poulter, Marina Puccioni, EIARD members to identify participants in task force	Strategy: ratified, Logframe: to be periodically reviewed, publication date of strategy: end of April 2000 To be discussed by WG 16 in January 2000 and updated subsequently Interactions and joint meetings with the EU group in the negotiations when required to develop European positions Interaction with European Forum Interaction with the CGIAR constituencies (TAC, etc.) Ongoing, WG / ECG meetings before major CG meetings First draft Overview ready for WG 16, January 2000, further consultations of EIARD members will follow Statements at ECG in Athens: reinforce consistency, improved access, cost efficiency On hold Interact with European Forum, thematic networks respond to European Forum priorities Consider formal response to European Forum before the Global Forum Ongoing Use EIARD InfoSys Interaction with ECART EC study on ASARECA, further extended Impact workshop with ASARECA (see Activity 4.2) Task force group to be set up impact workshop with ASARECA, extent to other regions?

First Edition 17/1/2000

Second Edition 28/2/2000

Hans-Jörg Lutzeyer, 28 February 2000

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