Policy+support+(Simon+Langan)

Discussion points:

 * Policy gaps that other participants recognize (and what project could feed information about these gaps)
 * People to invite to high-level consultation (and why to get insight in process)

Feedback from the group:

 * What are the gaps, why are they not outcomes on the ground:
 * Gaps
 * Free grazing (members were not aware of free grazing)
 * Policy is there but it is not implemented – and it was not cascading down
 * Understand how policy is developed and how we can influence – not necesssriry the ministers but advisors
 * B/n now and December how any research can influence that can support policy (as a starting point MoA, Ministry of energy, EIAR, ATA), special advisor to the prime minister and we could start the conversation

Policy support consultation:
 * Review docs on land/water policy to identify the gaps. E.g water use rights, land ownership – no policy governing/regulating these areas
 * Questions about implementation:
 * Policies exist but guidelines + means to implement/enforce don’t exist
 * Policies not cascading down to lower level administration especially at Kebele level
 * e.g. green book – directives not in place land use policies not implemented at Kebele level
 * Who implements? Who can modify. Do policy makers want policies to be influenced? Do we need to identify smarter ways to influence?
 * Need has to be demonstrated
 * Things aren't changing – policy has to be evaluated based on outcomes
 * Policy makers are aware of gaps but don’t like policies to be questioned – need assistance to implement or make policy successful – guidelines
 * Guidelines need to address practical issues of implementation
 * Europe incentives are offered e.g. tax incentives – need carrot and stick methods
 * Still issues about how best to communicate suggestions, reports, evidence to policy makers
 * Gender aspect to policies needs to be considered
 * Free grazing gap in existing policy could be used as example/case study of a tangible issue – how could this be addressed?
 * Need to target policy ‘technocrats’ e.g. special advisors who are able to influence policy makers
 * Stakeholder consultation needed – part of the process not after the fact

How and who to invite?
 * Need to identify key players approach ministries
 * Ato Sileshi – MoA
 * Ato Kebede Gebra – MoWE (Advisor to the State Minister of water)
 * Prof. Tekalign – advisor to MoA ATA
 * NRM standing committee of parlament
 * EDRI – Neway G/Ab
 * EPA – Ato Dessalegn
 * Donors: DFID, CIDA, USAID, GIZ, Farm Africa, WaterAid