A new vision for the future

1
Twelve years of the Neuchatel Initiative
NEUCHÂTEL
initiative
www.neuchatelinitiative.net

• A new vision for the future

2
Background

• The initial situation (1990-1995)
• Representatives of several donor agencies (i.e.
  Swiss, French and others) did not agree with the
  World Banks continued strong promotion of its
  TV approach
• The fact that in most countries of intervention
  several different extension approaches are
  implemented simultaneously creates confusion
• There was no platform where donors might have the
  opportunity to discuss and agree upon the best
  approaches for agricultural extension.

3
What is (was?) the Neuchatel Initiative?

• Informal discussion forum, primarily for donors
• Platform for shared learning
• Base for agreement on common frameworks
• Base for joint strategic studies
• Opportunity to forge relationships
• Starting point for coordination?

4
Affiliates

• There is no official membership. The NI prefers
  the term affiliates.
• Each agency decides if it is worthwhile to
  participate
• A preparation group plans and organises the
  annual meeting
• Individual donors finance collaborators for
  specific tasks (the writing and editing of their
  publications, the organisation of the meetings,
  the facilitation of its meetings)
• On behalf of the Swiss Development Co-operation
  (SDC) Agridea is in charge of the facilitation

5
Affiliates

• USAID
• DFID
• DGIS
• Agridea
• DAAS
• ODI
• BOKU
• NRI
• Inter-Reseaux
• CIRAD
• DIIS
• NAADS
• ......and many others

• Sida
• Danida
• GTZ
• ADA
• SDC
• MAE
• FAO
• IFAD
• World Bank
• EC
• CTA

6
Agreements

• The shared insights are not binding for the
  affiliates - they are solely considered as
  suggestions
• Each representative takes care of the diffusion
  of the insights within his/her own institution
• Each donor finances its own assistance and the
  work done by external collaborators
• Each year the NI reconsiders if the platform
  should go on
• There is no secretariat. Minimal services are
  rendered by Agridea.

7
Ways of Communication

• The yearly meetings are an important opportunity
  to meet new people and to consolidate the social
  cohesion
• Annual meetings prepared by a (changing) core
  group
• Communication between meetings (among affiliates
  and collaborators) is maintained by e-mail and
  personal calls
• There is an NI website where all affiliated
  organisations are listed and where the NI
  publications are available for interested
  outsiders - at no charge - www.neuchatelinitiativ
  e.net

8
Principles

• Policy- and system development
• Pro-poor
• Demand drive
• Market orientation
• Financing systems

9
Methodologies

• Many are looking for the perfect method instead
  of how to manage and continue developing a basket
  of tools and methods
• Too much confidence in tools when the overall
  system is dysfunctional
• The most important is how to stimulate and manage
  demand (especially difficult in research/supply
  driven systems)

10
Products - Outputs

• Hard
• Jointly developed guidelines
• Tools for the planning and evaluation of
  extension activities
• Shared actions in the field, mutual evaluations
• Soft
• Networking for development of common vision

11
Neuchatel Initiative Products so far!
12
A success story

• So far NI has been successful in what it was
  meant to do
• Created a strong dynamic network and convergence
  in thinking agricultural advisory services
• Brought together a range of concepts and
  approaches
• Analysed and promoted pro-poor, market oriented
  advisory service reform and development

13
A new vision for more success

• NI now wants to see this dynamic process to
  continue but with
• Stronger impact in terms of policies,
  institutions and practical application of new
  approaches, particularly in Africa
• Leadership and direction coming from African
  institutions
• Initiatives related to CAADP for harmonisation
  and alignment

14
The first step

• The NI Consultation 2008
• The purpose has been
• To explore the interest and opportunities for
  pursuing a network together with NI that
  proactively advocates for improvement of
  agricultural advisory services as well as public
  investment in such