A key role of the Funders Forum is to establish the strategic direction of the CGIAR through the Strategy and Results Framework (SRF), which sets out goals, strategic objectives and target results. The Consortium takes the lead in developing the SRF, which it then submits to the Funders Forum for consideration and endorsement. The first Funders Forum had before it a draft SRF developed by the Alliance of the CGIAR Centers based on predictive modeling of future investment scenarios, aimed at determining the best way to benefit the most people, and on stakeholder consultations, notably the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development process.
In introducing the draft document, Carlos Pérez del Castillo, chair of the Board of the Consortium of CGIAR Centers, noted that the Consortium Board had accepted the draft Strategy but recommended that it be revised. Emile Frison, director general of Bioversity International and leader of the team that developed the strategy, presented an overview, highlighting changes made since the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development, held in Montpellier, France, in March. “For the first time, we have a strategy for the whole system rather than just individual strategies for each Center,” said Frison. “This is a major achievement, which better enables us to focus our resources on the poorest farmers with a results-based, outcome-oriented approach. We have involved as many people as possible in developing this strategy.”
Rudy Rabbinge, Chair of the Interim Independent Science and Partnership Council (iISPC), presented the Council’s assessment of the SRF. It identified several areas where the SRF could be strengthened. Specifically, it suggested that the Strategy include a better description of the CGIAR’s position and comparative advantage within the broader agricultural research landscape, articulate more clearly the CGIAR’s priorities and the pathways that will lead to development impact, and describe more precisely the thematic areas for Mega Program. The ISPC also recommended that the SRF be revised in a shorter time frame.
Forum participants broadly agreed on the need for a stronger, more visionary SRF that makes a compelling case for what the new CGIAR can achieve, better positions the CGIAR within the broader agricultural research context and provides a more solid foundation for the development of Mega Programs. Donor comments echoed the Consortium Board and ISPC’s analysis, calling for stronger articulation of the relationships between Mega Programs, impact pathways, partnerships, and the Montpellier Road Map that resulted from the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development. Several participants called for revision of the SRF while maintaining momentum with the reforms.
Carlos Peréz del Castillo stated that the Consortium Board would take the lead in revising the Strategy and Results Framework within 6 months, with input from external advisors, the ISPC, GFAR and others. As a way forward, Funder Forum Chair Katherine Sierra suggested that the donors accept the strategy on the condition that a revised version will be submitted to the Forum within 6 months for further consideration and full approval. In the interim development of Mega Programs will continue, with proposals eligible for approval by the Fund Council contingent on future approval of the SRF.
In her closing remarks, Sierra said “progress may be a little slower than what we wanted, but this is because donors and the Consortium are taking the Strategy and Results Framework seriously. We are not just going along to get along, we are committed to being on the right track.” Donors will meet to consider the revised SRF for full adoption once it is ready.
