| RAPID Theme 4:
Improved institutional capacity for policy influence
Background
Development policies and practices are formulated and
implemented by agencies - ranging from multilaterals, through bilaterals
and governments, to NGOs. Organisational capacities therefore have
a significant impact on the links between research, policy and practice.
As the development field has gradually shifted focus from 'down-stream'
projects to 'up-stream' programmes, development organisations need
staff with a new set of 'up-stream' skills. They need staff who
are able to translate field-level experience into usable information
and persuasive policy briefs. They need staff who are able to analyse
policy contexts accurately and then make strategic use of policy
windows. They need staff who are able to package their messages
in credible and persuasive language. They need staff who are able
to communicate effectively. And they need organisational systems
and processes that will facilitate these activities, instead of
hampering them.
Lessons
- It is important to recognise that capacity building cannot
be done in the same way across all contexts and environments.
This was illustrated vividly in two of the policy entrepreneurship
workshops listed below. While the starting point was the same
for both of them (namely to discuss opportunities and challenges
of policy influence), the workshop
in Moldova brought out the need for sustainable institutional
structures, while the workshop
in Kenya brought out the need for practical tools in order
to create a space for policy debate.
- The projects have also shown that the institutionalisation
of approaches that allow research and development organisations
to create a learning environment that fosters new ideas and ways
of partnering, is imperative.
- Networks are key.
The ability to group together for policy influence is becoming
more and more central to CSOs' chances of being heard in the policy
arena.
Further resources
- Policy Entrepreneurship
Workshop - Moldova. A one day workshop for the directors of
senior staff of policy research centres in Central and Eastern
Europe and the former Soviet Union. The purpose was to improve
participants' ability to analyze the context within which they
work and develop strategies to improve the policy impact of their
work. The workshop was hosted by the Institute for Public Policy
(IPP) in Chisinau, Moldova on 17 June 2004.
- Policy Entrepreneurship
Workshop, Kenya. This workshop, held with AFREPREN in Nairobi
in December 2004, focused on how CSOs can use evidence to promote
pro-poor policies. It was a forum for CSOs in Kenya to discuss
the opportunities and challenges they face when they try to inform
policy and share experiences about what works and doesn't work,
learn about the latest worldwide research and practice in this
area, and identify gaps for future work.
Relevant projects
- Civil Society
Partnerships Programme: A new programme designed to promote
improved contribution by CSOs to pro-poor national and international
development policies. This includes:
- Pro-poor Livestock
Policy Research: 'Process and Partnership for Pro Poor Policy
Change'. A collaborative project with ILRI to to identify and
institutionalise innovative research and development mechanisms
and approaches that lead to pro-poor policy outcomes. (December
2004)
- Building Japan-UK Research
Links: An initiative to increase the interaction between researchers
from Japan and the United Kingdom to address development issues
of pressing global concern (September 2003)
- Building Southern Research
Capacity: A desk study mapping agencies involved in strengthening
the capacity of southern research organisations. (August 2001)
- Strengthening links between
research and policy: Preparation of fundable proposals for
a Bridging Research and Policy project for the Global Development
Network. (July 2000)
- Delivering Quality Services,
Indonesia: A draw-down contract to provide intermittent support
to the DFID-funded, Delivering Quality Services project. (August
2001 - March 2002)
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