The Challenge of Evaluating NRM Research

The Challenge of Evaluating NRM Research

CRP-FTA is complex, with multiple pathways to impact at the component and theme levels. It is intended that the main research products will be international public goods: knowledge, technology, and institutional and policy innovations that are relevant and useful throughout the tropics and beyond. Much of the research will be grounded in case studies and comparative analyses. This research is also expected to contribute to positive change by helping to address constraints and realize opportunities directly in the countries, sites and systems where the research is carried out. CRP-FTATA intends to contribute to achieving impact by: influencing global and national research and development agendas; giving due attention to the needs of all stakeholders (gender, diversity issues); developing new research approaches and methods; networking and coordinating with other actors in the knowledge-to-action process, and; helping to strengthen the capacity of developing country institutions and individuals to generate and apply knowledge more effectively.

The CRP-FTA MEIA strategy is intended to meet CGIAR requirements and standards effectively and efficiently. It is intended that the MEIA approach will encourage the development and testing of clear and explicit impact pathways and that it will foster a strong impact culture within CRP-FTA. The CRP-FTA MEIA System will use a nested, hierarchical system, in which each element contributes to others. Explicit development of impact pathways, ex ante impact assessment and outcome mapping will support strategic planning at the project, theme and component levels; regular monitoring will provide feedback on ongoing work to facilitate adaptive management, it will provide information needed for annual reporting requirements, and it will be used as inputs for internal and external evaluation. Lower-level (project, theme) evaluation will support higher level (component, CRP) evaluation. And available M&E data and analyses will support the design, interpretation and implementation of impact assessments. It will use rolling 5 year plan, revised annually. It will be participatory and outcome-focused.