The french Version is available here

Improving Impacts of Research Partnerships

This KFPE-publication is based on analyses of a number of case studies encompassing a wide variety of research partnerships between the North and the South, discussions held during the various workshops of the «Impact Assessment Working Group»[1], and the conclusions derived. The book focuses on potential impacts of such research partnerships – impacts beyond the scientific advance, namely 'attitudinal changes', impacts on capacity strengthening, and impacts on society or on decision-makers.
 
Thus, while it does not claim to be comprehensive, it aims to stress the importance of impact planning, monitoring and assessment as elements in the design and evaluation of research projects or programmes. The publication proposes factors enabling or enhancing impact, and points to factors hindering impact.

The 2nd edition (published end 2006) is a partly revised edition.

The most important changes with regard to the original text published in 2004 concern the following: a new Chapter 10 was added in Part II:
‚Walking the Talk’: The Chapter is based on a dissemination and sensitisation workshop about impacts of research partnerships held in West Africa (Ségou, Mali) in November 2005. The event allowed discussing opportunities and threats of participative impact assessments related to development and research projects in the field of rural development, mainly agriculture. The participants covered a wide range of local, national, regional and international actors including farmers, extension workers, researchers, representatives of governmental, non-governmental organisations and donors. Characteristics and tendencies identified in the Workshop are summarised in the chapter.

This chapter 10 has a corresponding annex: ‚Developing a set-up for impact assessment’
During the workshop held in West Africa in November 2005 an attempt was made to develop a generalised set-up for impact assessment. It reflects the strong desire of many stakeholder groups to have a practical tool for steering such a process, or more generally to have an overall set-up for impact evaluation. The outcome of this attempt is published in the annex.

In addition, Case Study 5 was adapted on the basis of the updated French version published in 2005; and a new section with additional sources of information was added to the references.

The publication can be ordered free of charge or downloaded below:

  You may download the Publication "Improving Impacts of Research Partnerships, 2nd edition"
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KFPE wishes to thank the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Global Development Network for having sponsored and supported the study and SDC for funding the present volume. Particular thanks go to all participants who attended the various workshops and to those who contributed to this publication.

Jon-Andri Lys Executive Secretary, KFPE