GFRAS - Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services
Mission
GFRAS is the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services. Its purpose is to provide a space for advocacy and leadership on pluralistic, demand-driven rural advisory services within the global development agenda. This will result in rural advisory services and systems that more appropriately, effectively, and sustainably contribute to the reduction of hunger and poverty worldwide.
Functions
GFRAS has three functions:
- Providing voice for advisory services within global policy dialogues and promoting improved investment in RAS;
- Supporting the development and synthesis of evidence-based approaches and policies for improving the effectiveness of RAS; and
- Strengthening actors and fora in RAS through facilitating interaction and networking.
The GFRAS inception period began on January 1, 2010. During the inception phase GFRAS has conferred widely with stakeholders, developed a five-year operational plan, and secured funding for the long term. In June 2011 the GFRAS first 5-year phase was launched.
Context
The visibility of rural advisory services has increased on the global agenda, but there is a big gap in terms of the provision of advocacy and leadership: Currently there is no coherent or credible voice for rural advisory services. In contrast to the large and well-developed international structures in agricultural research, RAS lack direction regarding investment priorities and evidence-based recommendations for policies and approaches. There is also a need for enhanced individual and institutional capacity development within RAS and sharing of experience at local and regional levels. Worldwide, stakeholders in the rural advisory sector have expressed demand for a dynamic, proactive, and formal structure to assure a credible and clear voice for RAS.
GFRAS Brochure (pdf 407KB)