Meeting+6+(July+13,+2011)

MONTHLY MEETING

**Date **: July 13, 2011 **Venue **: Info Center **Time **: 10:00am-12:00am

**Agenda: ** The meeting started with Tilahun welcoming and thanking all participants for their time and participation. He then invited Yenenesh Abebe, the new GIS specialist of IWMI to introduce herself to the team.

**1. Project Updates ** Tilahun briefed everyone on the process of evaluation of BDCs that was held in Montpellier, France and the feedback received for NBDC. The report compiled from all PLs was condensed into one and submitted to the CPWF Management. The management got its comments lined out and passed the document to the Peer-assist group. NBDC was the first to be evaluated. The evaluation was based on 12 criteria set and 5 rankings. Accordingly there were both positive and negative feedbacks given for all the NBDC components. But in general all are evaluated in good terms. PLs will receive detailed evaluation which will be upto them to decide on how much to share and make public. However Tilahun has promised to share all the comments on N5 on the wiki. He is assigned to encourage and lobby other PLs to do the same as it will only be useful for everyone to see the points raised during the evaluation. Accordingly the following points were hinted:

**General **: NBDC was praised for:
 * The composed definition it produced on RWM. A peer reviewed paper should be written for 2011/12 and also as a debate to present on the Forum in SA.
 * The Gender framework designed but said to be implemented

**Nile 2 ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Positive **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: Approved but with soft delay (there is unutilized money left from the budget allowed) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Capacity Building <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Strong partnership <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Good project management **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Negative **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: Inter-component linkage: Social and bio physical <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Land use and hydrology linkage

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Nile 3 ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Positive **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: Approved but with soft delay (there is unutilized money left from the budget allowed) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Negative **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: Delay on outcomes/milestones <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Doubts on merit of some outcomes like similarity analysis

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Nile 4 ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Positive **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: Approved and has fully utilized funds and IWMI will be requested to give advance <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Good progress in project reorganizing <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Establishment of modeling team <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Interaction with N2 on hydrology **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Negative: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Budget allocation issues <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Shift from basin to land focus <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Should give more focus to existing data and should strengthen linkage

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Nile 5 ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Positive: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Communication is dubbed as one of the best of all basins though it is commented to be a bit far ahead from the evidences. Content of communication should be with key message for development practitioners but not only academicians. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Negative **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: Weak Cross project linkage <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Comment on Innovation research - should clearly show what are the learnings, how to capture lessons and strategies used. It was commented that the research questions and methodologies aren't clear.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">On this particular point of innovation it was indicated that the background problem could be that the difference in the definition of "Innovation". However Tilahun elaborated that the definition that was designated by NBDC originally wasn't questioned. The definition was that bringing dispersed platforms/Institutions together to act united and support the research into use action. Yet Alan has made a note that it might be important to discuss and get a common stand on the "Innovation" concept. In addition as resources in projects are too small to bring such learnings, there is a plan to connect with all staffs of the other basins working on innovation during the upcoming Forum and come up with research questions together.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">In connection with this it was mentioned that Boru of CPWF has made a call for a proposal on Learning to Innovate with a value of upto USD 20,000. Alan said he has already started acting upon that with a newly recruited post-doc who will be starting in Sept to do some participatory video. Detailed criteria for the proposal is as per the attached document.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">N2 in addition is planning to apply for local innovation fund while N4 might apply for the land use cover mapping expansion to basin scale. Indication was also made that application might also be going in on data.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Shirley made a note on budget and deliverables emphasizing the need for revising the original objectives the project outlined in line with its current status. Given the struggle all projects are in with regard to budget, it is important to look at ways of achieving deliverables with existing budget. Establishing the direction with which individual and collective objectives could be met will also help ensure synergy. Tilahun also supported the idea by noting that one of the comments from the Montpellier evaluation; NBDC has too many milestones indicates the need for strengthen synergy and reorganization. It was highlighted that this should be reflected in the next six months report. Therefore a one day project meeting is intended to be in Sept to see how far the outlined objectives are achieved, plans and progress, and how far plans are converted into actuals. In the mean time preparations and kick off communication can be made online for which Shirley will take the lead by designing a template with objectives, current achievements etc. In the mean time PLs are said to combine the detail evaluation comments given with this idea and prepare for the meeting intended.

2. **Site Updates** Birhanu has left for Jeldu to do the installation of instruments. Considerable time is spent on the logistics: purchase and shipment of instruments. Automatic stations were set and tested in Addis earlier. The Jeldu installation will be finished this week. Next will be Diga site which is planned for the coming three weeks to be followed by Fogera. All installations are expected to be finalized by the end of the rainy season.

3. **Process Update** Peter gave a brief explanation and run through the page created for the preparation on the wiki. http://nilebdc.wikispaces.com/ifwf3 Item-by-item discussion was made among the group to identify what is already and what is not and who could possibly be responsible for the activities to be made. All documents to be submitted are said to be sent by Tilahun as a package or shall be put on the wiki and the link shall be sent out. Regarding the list of participants, it was said that the original idea was that each project can support upto five participants. Two Ministers have already been invited and confirmed their participation. Daniel Danano and Dejene Abesha of MoA, SLM and Irrigation Department respectively will be participating. CPWF has committed to cover the cost for all the four of them. Peter and Jemimah will also be joining as facilitators/communication team. To clear out who will be travelling from which project or partner organization, Tilahun is assigned to produce one Master table with list of participants and relative funding source.
 * Plans for South Africa**

Doug Merry has also sent the requested two abstracts from Nile 1 report and will be presenting covering his own cost from Nile 1 funding. Tilahun is also assigned to lead the organization of the session on RMS; which is said to be the most important session of the African Basins. Suggestion was given to include issues of drought management and scenarios in this session. Participants have agreed with the idea. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">The stakeholder meeting is to be held on October 4-6. It was announced that the workshop is intended to be held in Bahir Dar, upon which some reflection was made given the potential logistics problems and etc. Therefore it was decided that the agenda and list of participants should be decided first where PLs and other team members will be taking part. The location shall be decided after that and remain open for a discussion for the time being. Preparations will soon be started. PLs and important actors will be given details of the preparation as necessary. A page will be set up on the wiki to effectively interact.
 * Plans for the stakeholder meeting**

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Plans for the Mekelle meeting ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">The workshop will be held in Mekelle on 19-24 Sept. The NBDC team will be organizing a big session on Livestock, Water and Livelihoods in coordination with Leuven and Mekelle University. The session will be accommodating 10 papers. Invitation is also given to deliver the key note speech.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 19px;">4. Individual Project Update: ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Nile 2: ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Nile 3 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Nile 4 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Nile 5 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">is currently conducting a small write up workshop to get a report from the baseline survey
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Alan, Josie and Alemayehu will be heading to Fogera and Diga on the days of July 18-24
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Two MSc students from Hawassa and Haromaya Universities whom Amare contracted are working on Characterizing Livestock and production
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Kindie is working on the Farmers' market system. Students are already selected for the three sites and will soon be contracted to set out to the field and collect data.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Lisa is working on degradation in the Blue Nile Basin (and would like to have contributions if anyone has papers on the topic)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">GIS training is to be conducted on the week of August 14 at ARARI, Bahir Dar
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Mulugeta is working on Environment, Ecosystem and resilience framework
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Kindie is working on economic aspect of N4; analyzing scenarios of RWM from the socio economic and bio physical perspective
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Kees, Abera and Mulugeta have done the analysis on the projects/networks working on Land and water management towards establishing the National Platform.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">A meeting with major actors is intended to be called towards the end of the month. The platform establishment will also be communicated with PLs to see the relation it might have with the Nile projects. It is noted that this will be important to have a common body to work interact with enhancing a focused target, information exchange and chain.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Tilahun is working with two students co-supervising with the Ministry of Agriculture to better enhance partnership
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Proposal has come from Wagningen University to work with an MSc student on Agro Forestry System particularly intensification. This might need to be discussed with N2 as well.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal;">**5. Students’ update** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Not much was reported on the coordination effort as Katherine was not on the meeting. However note was made that the way forward should be in a way that these students become more integrated with the overall system than simply leave upon completing their thesis. It should be set in a way that the program benefits from their current engagement plus future possibility of working together. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Therefore suggestion was made to start a mechanism by which students will present their findings to the group and others concerned. Tilahun has taken the lead to start the initiative. This will give them more chances to communicate and integrate themselves within the group. It was also recommended that organizing regular student forums on campus would make interaction wider. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">The possibility of taking one or two students who could possibly come with a good abstract was also raised. It was noted that funds to cover their costs must be requested from CPWF if it materializes. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">The other point raised was the issue of communication on students’ issue. The case of ICRAF sponsored students who surfaced without the knowledge of anybody and also without the resource they needed was mentioned. It was noted that Katherine and many other group members have gone through a lot to support these students to go to the field. Lack of communication from ICRAF side even when sought by staffs from the Addis side after the students arrived was highly criticized. Thus it was noted to take a lesson from such experiences. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">In addition, it was noted that a page is created for the data on students to be filled out but still remain open. Therefore efforts should be made to share data on students to clear out who is engaged where and on what topic plus avoid duplication and enhance integration in terms of all resources.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">Meeting was adjourned at 12:15pm.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">NB: Please follow up with Action Points update on the assigned page. http://nilebdc.wikispaces.com/Action+Point+Tracker