What is a GFRAS Working Group?
GFRAS working groups are composed of a group of GFRAS affiliates or members actively working around a thematic topic, usually across regions and organisations. They are formed on a demand-driven basis and with the direction of the GFRAS steering committee. Working group members show a keen interest to regularly participate in the implementation and development of the GFRAS strategy and organisational development around their topic
How do GFRAS Working Groups Operate? What are Key Elements?
GFRAS working groups have a small core of people (5-10) who exchange over email and face-to-face on a topic to gain a common understanding, develop a concept note, prioritise an issue, engage with regions on that topic, and/or develop a product. Working groups often function as an advisory group to a consultant who is paid by GFRAS or a collaborating organisation to develop a product. Results of the working groups are often shared at the GFRAS Annual Meeting and other relevant events in order to validate and promote the results. Working group members/institutions will be recognised in the product.
Duties of the working groups include
- Making time available to respond to requests and provide inputs on specific content issues from the secretariat, consultants, or regional networks;
- Developing strategies, outreach, and deliverables on thematic issues;
- Providing inputs into discussions and strategy development at global, regional and national level;
- Making links to the regions or to specific interest groups and working closely with regional affiliates and members; and
- Implementing time-bound activities.
For more information, see the GFRAS Charter.
How to become part of a GFRAS working group?
To become part of a GFRAS working group, please contact the lead persons listed below with information about why you want to join and what you and your organisation will contribute to the group.
Working group 1: Capacity Strengthening
Lead: Francisco Aguirre, RELASER, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Members: Francisco Aguirre (RELASER), Virginia Cardenas (APIRAS), Ian Christoplos (Glemminge Development Research), Magdalena Blum (FAO)
Description
Capacity strengthening is a major issue in all regions of the world for rural advisory services. Capacity strengthening was started as a working group led by the Latin American regional network for rural extension (RELASER), with support from the Asia-Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services Network (APIRAS).
Activities and outputs
- Background paper: framework for capacity strengthening in extension
- Position paper for the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) 2012 event entitled “The New Extensionist.” The document will explain why foresight in agricultural and rural development must recognize the changing role of extension and rural advisory services and the new capacities needed: Capabilities needed at individual level; how the new extensionist functions within changing organisations and institutional structures; what partnerships does the new extensionist need to function effectively in the agricultural innovation system; and recommendations.
Working Group 2: Evaluation
Lead: Ian Christoplos, senior content advisor to the GFRAS secretariat, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Members: Ian Christoplos, Sanne Chipeta (Knowledge Centre for Agriculture), Riikka Rajalahti (World Bank), Magdalena Blum (FAO), Pierre Labarthe (INRA), Brent Simpson (MEAS)
Partners: Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services (MEAS); Natural Resources Institute (NRI)
Activities and outputs
- GFRAS guide to extension evaluation
- Meta-evaluation of extension evaluations
- Review of literature on evaluation methods relevant to extension
Description
The GFRAS evaluation working group was formed by a group of people interested in the topic of extension evaluation. They mainly operate as a reference group for the development of the GFRAS Guide to Extension Evaluation. Some members have operated as a Help Desk type of support for those using the Guide. They continue to backstop GFRAS evaluation efforts, especially those using the Guide.
Proposed Working Group 3: Gender Equality in Rural Advisory Services
Lead: Sanne Chipeta, GFRAS steering committee, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Members: To be decided
Description
The gender working group is for committed, interested people who want to see better gender equality in rural advisory services. They will work together to promote recognition of the need for gender equality in rural advisory services and better knowledge about policies and practises to achieve this.
Activities and outputs
- Identification of interested and committed working group members and possible partner institutions
- Establish the group and plan the way forward in detail
- Identification of priority questions and issues to be addressed
- Investigation of current knowledge and gaps of evidence
- Development of a concept note to address the gaps