Strategy for Domestication of the Household Vulnerability Index (HVI) in Southern Africa ( )

Transcription

1 Strategy for Domestication of the Household Vulnerability Index (HVI) in Southern Africa ( ) JUNE 2013

2 FOREWORD i

3 CONTENTS FOREWORD... i CONTENTS... ii LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES AND TEXTBOXES... iii List of tables... iii List of figures... iii List of textboxes... iii ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS... iv 1. INTRODUCTION About the HVI About FANRPAN Work done to popularize the HVI to date... 3 A. Piloting the HVI with World Vision International... 3 B. The Strengthening evidence-based climate change adaptation policies project STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE DOMESTICATION PROCESS STRATEGY OVERVIEW Overall objective of the strategy Overall strategy approach Outline of advocacy and communication approaches... 5 A. Internal capacity strengthening... 5 B. Strengthening institutional partnerships for delivery of the HVI... 6 C. National HVI introductory and consultation workshops... 6 D. Training and support on the HVI for national universities... 7 E. Presentations and response to ad hoc requests... 8 F. Increase access to the web based clearing house... 8 G. Translating research outputs into use... 8 H. Influencing policy A differentiated approach to domestication... 8 A. In South Africa... Error! Bookmark not defined. B. In other countries... Error! Bookmark not defined. 4. THE NEXT STEPS FOWARD Revision and verification of the HVI tool Planning for the national workshops... 9 ii

4 LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES AND TEXTBOXES List of tables Table 1: Stakeholder workshop format... 6 List of figures Figure 1: The HVI logic model... 2 Figure 2: Stakeholders within the domestication process... 4 Figure 3: Demand generation cycle... 5 List of textboxes Textbox 1: What we mean by the term domestication?... 1 iii

5 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ADP FANR FANRPAN HVI NGO SADC SECCAP SWOT WVI Area Development Program Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network Household Vulnerability Index Non Governmental Organisation Southern Africa Development Community Strengthening Evidence Based Climate Change Adaptation Policies Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats World Vision International iv

6 1. INTRODUCTION This strategy has been developed by the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) in partnership with Development Data to guide advocacy and communications efforts towards promoting domestication of the Household Vulnerability Index (HVI) tool. The strategy outlines activities that will be conducted over the next 3 years and will target the 15 Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states. Textbox 1: What we mean by the term domestication? Domestications as a theory is used in science and technology studies to refer to an approach or process where new technologies or innovations are adopted and adapted to daily practices and integrated institutional systems. Domestication is a process rather than an event, and it takes into account among other things, appropriation and conversion. With this understanding, this strategy outlines what FANRPAN will do to promote domestication of the HVI in Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) policy and practice across the SADC region. This will contribute to the FANRPAN vision of A food secure Africa free from hunger and poverty. The strategy outlines stakeholders that will be engaged within the process, institutional arrangements as well as broad strategies for advocacy and communications. Noteworthy, implementation of the strategy will be guided by clearly defined output targets About the HVI The HVI is a powerful statistical index for measuring vulnerability. It assesses external vulnerability that is introduced by a defined shock or shocks, and internal vulnerability or inability of such a household to withstand shocks in general. HVI analysis assumes that household wealth can be classified into natural, physical, financial, social and human capital assets. Shocks such as HIV and AIDS and climate change attack one or more of these assets. The nature, extent and depth of the impacts on household assets are used to award vulnerability scores and weights which are then used to compute the index for each household. The index is used to classify the household vulnerability as either coping, acute or emergency. The approach was field tested in Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Lesotho in partnership with World Vision International (WVI). 1

7 Figure 1: The HVI logic model Shock such as drought/floods Households Each with different Natural, Physical, Human, Social and Financial Capital assets Low Vulnerability Able to adjust and prevail Moderate vulnerability Able to meet minimum requirements with some help High Vulnerability Unable to meet requirements External Vulnerability Internal + = Vulnerability Resultant impacts Further information on use and application of the HVI is available online on website: In addition a user toolkit that is available in both hard and soft copy formats. a. Benefits of using the HVI The HVI has proven to be a useful in measuring household vulnerability. It has the following benefits for policy makers and development practitioners: Based on the different levels of vulnerability, the HVI data can be used to reach the most needy populations with suitable packages to fight off internal and external shocks. Data collected for the HVI is also a usable indicator for monitoring how assisted households graduated or deteriorated from one level of vulnerability to another. The approach traces the origins of vulnerability in each household, thereby shedding light on the packages of responses required to move the household from one level of vulnerability to another. It is an effective tool for monitoring the effectiveness of development interventions. Evidence from HVI studies is useful in informing policy decisions within the FANR sectors About FANRPAN A multi-stakeholder network operational in 16 African countries, FANRPAN was borne out of an express need for policy development support in the FANR sector and has subsequently reduced the region s dependence on external supply as the major source of policy advice. Mission FANRPAN seek to promote effective Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) policies by: i. Facilitating linkages and partnerships between government and civil society, ii. Building the capacity for policy analysis and policy dialogue in Africa, and 2

8 iii. Supporting demand-driven policy research and analysis Work done to popularize the HVI to date A. Piloting the HVI with World Vision International In partnership with WVI, the HVI was pilot tested in 3 Area Development Programs (ADPs) where the organisation is operational. One ADP was selected in Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Swaziland respectively. The findings of the study has allowed for further refinement and improvement of the tool. For WVI the use of the tool has been important in exploring suitability and adaptability of the tool in targeting of their programme beneficiaries. Based on the lessons learnt there is great potential for scale up use of the HVI in other WVI operational countries. B. The Strengthening evidence-based climate change adaptation policies project The Strengthening Evidence-Based Climate Change Adaptation Policies (SECCAP) in Agriculture project has offered a platform for integrating the HVI. The project seeks to enhance the capacity of policy analysts and scientists in the fields of agriculture, climate and socio - economics to collectively build a strong base of evidence on cropping systems to inform adaptation policies and investment decisions. The HVI analysis has been integrated to assess adaptation investment options using integrated models that is climate, crop production, productivity and livelihoods. The project provided support for domestication and hosting of livelihood databases for Maphutseng district in Lesotho, Lilongwe districts in Malawi and Mpolonjeni district in Swaziland. The results will be used to assess and identify promising interventions, their feasibility (social, economic and environmental), and contribute to evidence-based decision making for policy makers and development practitioners. 2. STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE DOMESTICATION PROCESS For the domestication to be successful, there are stakeholders who need to play a role in different phases of the process. Some of the actors play direct and critical roles, while others provides a support system that is crucial for the domestication. The figure below presents the categories of actors who are expected to play a role within the domestication process. 3

9 Figure 2: Stakeholders within the domestication process SADC ministries on agriculture and natural resources SECCAP Project team Communications unit POLICYMAKERS FANRPAN TECHNICAL STAFF RESEARCHERS AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES TECHNICAL PARTNERS AND NETWORK MEMBERS National universities Research institutions NGOs Development Data Country nodes FANRPAN technical staff These are drawn from management and technical staff. Their key role will be to oversee successful implementation of this strategy. The staff members are also expected to integrate the HVI message into the various programme components. It is thus important to invest in building capacity of staff to support domestication of the HVI. Technical partners and network members - Successful domestication of the HVI at the country level will rely heavily on the in country presence of FANRPAN through the Nodes. The Nodes are already proactive in supporting coordinating country level activities. FANRPAN will equip the node hosting institutions with the technical capacity to support domestication efforts within the respective countries. In addition, FANRPAN will work closely with Development Data as a technical partner in managing HVI data and providing technical support to users. Researchers and development agencies These include national universities and NGOs that conduct research on household vulnerability for different purposes. Already, FANRPAN has a good working relationship with WVI that piloted the HVI in Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe ADPs. The priority action will be to equip this group of stakeholders with the right skills to apply and adapt the HVI. Policy makers This group is important in transforming the face of FANR interventions in the region. FANRPAN will facilitate the linkage between research and policy for the purposes of effective policy making. 3. STRATEGY OVERVIEW 3.1. Overall objective of the strategy The overall objective of this strategy is to, Guide advocacy and communication efforts towards the domestication of the HVI in the SADC region by

10 3.2. Overall strategy approach Following the demand - supply discourse in the development sector; supply is often seen as having a negative connotation as it is associated with pushing things down people s throat. While this might be true, experience has also shown that people often demand what they know. In the field of technologies, many gadgets that people run around with today, where not developed based on demands. People were exposed to these devices, in a manner that creates the demand for it. In other words, it is the supply that creates the demands. Despite the evidence on benefits of the HVI tool, people would not demand it, as they do not know it. It is therefore, very critical to create the demand for the tool by exposing people to its benefits. This strategy will thus follow a demand generation approach to ensure that users actually want to use the HVI. The demand generation approach will be guided by the cycle presented below. Figure 3: Demand generation cycle 1. Potential users are aware of the HVI 5. Adoption and adaption of the HVI 2. Users receive support on how to use the HVI tool 4. Evidence informs policy positions 3. Users generate evidence on applicability of the HVI 3.3. Outline of advocacy and communication approaches A. Internal capacity strengthening Internal capacity strengthening refers to actions that will be taken to build the capacity of programme staff to mainstream the HVI within their programmes. FANRPAN is currently implementing programmes across countries in Southern and Eastern Africa. To date the HVI has been successfully mainstreamed in research work conducted under the Harmonised Seed Security Project (HaSSP) and Women Accessing Realigned Markets (WARM) project. 5

11 FANRPAN will build on these successes to ensure that technical staff has the knowledge and capacity to mainstream or share information on the HVI. In this regard, the HVI tool is not limited as a tool for one programme area but also applies to other programmes that rely on research. An internal orientation workshop will be conducted for FANRPAN staff that also includes the communications officer. As a demonstrable outcome, staff members should be able to identify and document ways in which they can mainstream and share information about the HVI within their respective programme portfolios. Output Staff orientation workshop on mainstreaming of the HVI; HVI mainstreaming and information dissemination plans for identified programme areas. B. Strengthening institutional partnerships for delivery of the HVI This component is being developed with the aim of strengthening capacity and leadership of the node hosting institutions in country level domestication of the HVI. FANRPAN will undertake country visits to work with each node in developing a country level plan that has clear performance targets and indicators. Budgets will also be developed to support implementation of the plans. FANRPAN, with technical input from Development Data, will continue to play a backstopping role and ensure that all activities are done in line with the agreed communications and advocacy framework. It is expected that node hosting institutions will have the required knowledge and skills to support domestication of the HVI within their respective countries. Output Country level plans for promoting scale up and use of the HVI C. National HVI introductory and consultation workshops One of the key strategies with potential for quick wins is to conduct a one day national workshop with some key actors. While the main target will be the National universities where the SECCAP project is underway, some other key actors will also be invited to the workshop. The workshop process will follow an analytical process with the different steps building on each other, leading to the outcomes. Being aware that the stakeholders that will be invited to the workshop are at different stages of awareness of the tool, the anticipated outcomes will pay attention to that. At the end of this one day national workshop, it is expected that stakeholders are aware of and have gained a better understanding of the HVI tool and its benefit in conducting vulnerability analysis. In addition, stakeholders should be able to explore how they can introduce the HVI within their line of work. To achieve this, the workshops are expected to follow the format outlined below. Table 1: Stakeholder workshop format Key issue Introduction to the HVI tool, its benefits and suitability in vulnerability analysis What will be covered This will be achieved through sharing of experience and best practices in using the HVI from different users. The following users will share their perspectives from using the tool: 6

12 Post graduate students who used it for their academic research projects Academic supervisors of the post graduate students World Vision International will share lessons and perspective from the pilot tests conducted in Lesotho. Swaziland and Zimbabwe Explore the context in Universities will make a presentation on the current which the HVI tool will be domesticated programmes, on-going projects and exiting tools, and exploring implications for domesticating HVI into their procedures. Group discussions will explore SWOT analysis of domesticating the HVI Explore relevance of the Group discussions and feedback to assess were and how HVI tool to stakeholders the HVI can be adopted and adapted work Stakeholders can share preliminary plans on how they intend to domesticate the HVI within their work Identify national Build on group discussions and feedback to identify implications for national implications for domesticating the HVI. domesticating the HVI Identify interventions that maybe required for addressing any perceived gaps or challenges of domesticating the HVI. Action planning Stakeholder and partnership level action plans will be drafted to guide the next steps in domesticating the HVI Output National HVI introductory and consultation workshops HVI domestication plans at stakeholder and partnership level D. Training and support on the HVI for national universities Universities are an important pillar for in conducting research work. They are a viable entry point for adopting the HVI within research work. In addition, findings from their studies are useful in informing policy and practice within the FANR sectors. FANRPAN will deliberately target universities so that they integrate the HVI as a useful tool for research and analysis. One day seminars specifically targeted at universities will be conducted. It is expected that academic supervisors and experts will attend this seminars. The seminars will focus on the role of HVI in applied research. It is expected that academic institutions should have the knowledge and capacity to generate new evidence using the HVI tool. Other specific training programmes will be provided to the universities upon request and with funding available. FANRPAN will also work in partnership with Development Data to provide technical advisory support to universities and their students who undertake research using the HVI tool. The support will touch on topics such as data management and how to conduct analysis. FANRPAN will also support university efforts to fundraise for related research work. Through providing such support, state universities should have the knowledge and plans in place to conduct research work using the HVI tool. Output Universities trained on use and application of the HVI tool MoU signed between FANRPAN and state universities for support on use of the HVI tool 7

13 E. Presentations and response to ad hoc requests Apart from working through the node hosting institutions FANRPAN will also work closely with Development Data and WVI to prepare and make presentations at different regional and international forums. As an illustration, abstracts can be shared at international conferences on research work that has already been conducted. These forums may include FANRPAN facilitated workshops and were invitations have been extended by stakeholders. Output Presentations on the HVI tool and related research work are done at various forums F. Increase access to the web based clearing house Like many other products of FANRPAN, the HVI was developed with public funding. It is therefore a public good and it should be in the public domain. Currently, a website exists that provides background information on the HVI. There is need to upgrade the site into a clearing house were even datasets from research work are made available. The website will allow even stakeholders that have not undergone training to access information on the HVI and also ask questions. The clearing house will present all HVI data in different formats. The website will allow students and other users to access, analyse and download data sets. The data should be available for use by both universities and research institutions. A site manager will be responsible for regularly updating and editing content on the site. The manager will also respond to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). A user toolkit will also be uploaded on the site to guide users. Output HVI online clearing house G. Translating research outputs into use The long term objective is to the get the ordinary people on the ground to benefit from the tool. Knowing that the research output do not necessary trickle down to those that it meant for, it will be part of the FANRPAN strategy to ensure the translation of the research output and lessons gained into use. FANRPAN will prioritise packaging and dissemination of research outputs for use by multiple stakeholders. This will be done in multiple formats such as verbal presentations, policy briefs, news articles and even community feedback meetings. Output Research outputs presented through various mediums H. Influencing policy The mandate of FANRPAN is to advocate for evidence based policies. Therefore the work of FANRPAN would not be complete, if the evidence generated is not translated to influence policy. FANRPAN will use evidence generated through use of the HVI to bridge the divide between policy and research A differentiated approach to domestication 8

14 As indicated before, the SECCAP project started and is underway in three countries. However, South Africa has also started to. There is also a long term plan to scale out the tool in other countries. This means that the different countries at different levels of awareness and implementation. This calls for a differentiated approach to domestication. 4. THE NEXT STEPS FOWARD This strategy has implications for the way forward and the immediate next steps that need to be taken Revision and verification of the HVI tool The HVI tool will be revised and verified as the first step towards implementing this strategy. This process will entail checking technical accuracy, content flow, presentation and layout. The main idea is to have a user friendly tool that easily generates analysis reports based on user expectations. In the future, new modules will be added into the tool based on new evidence. The tool will be supported by a user toolkit that includes practical steps on how to use the tool Planning for the national workshops Planning for the national workshops will be done in close consultation with the node hosting institutions. The workshops will follow the formats previously mentioned in this document. FANRPAN will lead communications, design and facilitating of the workshops. The node hosting institutions will aid in identifying stakeholders that may have an interest in the HVI and can attend the workshops. 9