Background Information on System-wide Programmes with an Ecoregional Approach
PREPARED BY EKKEHARD KÜRSCHNER, CONSULTANT'S REPORT TO TAC, TAC SECRETARIAT, FAO, 00100 ROME
The desk study was conducted at the TAC-Secretariat in preparation for the review of System-wide programmes with an ecoregional approach. The paper intends to bring some key issues emerging from the current programmes to the attention of TAC and to equip the review panel with a basis on which to conduct the review.
The study is built upon an analysis of background information on the approach, documentation on current programmes, a survey of stakeholder opinions, recent reviews by the CGIAR and the Centres, and related efforts and activities by others, as well as comments made to the consultant and participation in discussions, including interaction with the TAC Study on CGIAR NARS Collaborative Relationships. It consists of the following sections:
1. Background on concept and implementation of the approach, including its definition, complemented by changes in science and the institutional settings.2. A brief sketch on each of the programmes together with observations on their main features.
3. The findings of a stakeholder survey on the performance of the programmes giving suggestions for improving their efficiency and effectiveness.
4. Implications from recent reviews by the CGIAR and the Centres, as well as programme developments directly related to the ecoregional review.
5. A perspective on how the ecoregional approach and its implementation by the CGIAR relate to other efforts and actors in connected fields.
6. An analysis of the various documents and survey of stakeholders in order to highlight emerging issues for TAC and the review panel to validate or clarify during the main phase of the review.
To facilitate the exchange of information on the Ecoregional Review and to provide the opportunity to submit the questionnaire on-line WebPages were developed and posted at the TAC WebSite: http://www.cgiar.org/tac/ecoweb01.htm). This also provided an efficient way for TAC to interact with stakeholders and could be of use in the future.
Conclusions and recommendations
Current programmes represent a diverse set of initiatives at various stages of implementation. They vary significantly in research design and focus, consortium organization and in terms of partnership. The conclusions presented here focus on strategic issues of System-wide importance and are meant to complement the criteria identified in the Terms of Reference approved by TAC:
· The concept of the ecoregional approach seems to remain a valid concept. Despite difficulties, NARS and Centres want to continue with the approach.· The expected outputs of the programmes need clarification, for example in addressing the environmental and human aspects of sustainability and partnership.
· The definition of "ecoregional" needs urgent clarification. It may be helpful to develop a more pragmatic definition of an ecoregion as a recommended domain.
· There is a need to verify and review the extent to which natural resources management and productivity research have mutually enriched each other to date through these programmes.
· The information available on the added value of these programmes is not sufficient. An overview of the costs of the programmes, the contributions of the various partners and the use of funds is required to estimate transaction costs.
· The extent to which programmes are able to extend location-specific work to a broader environment needs to be reviewed, including the role of extrapolation (out- and upscaling).
· It may be worthwhile to review the balance between characterization as opposed to technology development, and work on social aspects and human dimensions as opposed to biophysical research, and assess whether this balance matches the original intention of the ecoregional approach.
· While recognizing the progress made in developing partnerships, there seems no evidence as yet of the effectiveness of the process of participatory agenda setting by consortia in directing and focusing programmes on key natural resources management issues. Also, it may be useful to assess whether the scope of partnerships in the multi-institutional consortia is appropriate and whether they have proved to be effective.
· Organizing collaborative research and managing the research process may require more attention. The review panel may want to offer advice on developing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for assessing management and research. At present there is no mechanism in place to share good practices and experiences across the System.
· The main phase could benefit from visiting programmes that have been in operation for some time and which have gained experience in addressing some of the above issues. During visits, the opportunity should be taken to interact and consult with NARS partners.
There is certainly a need to identify priority issues among those listed above. Some may be more appropriately addressed by the Centres and their consortium partners directly, while strategic issues for the CGIAR need further attention and clarification at the System level, through mechanisms such as those proposed for the follow-up of the System Review.
Rome, March 1999
