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WLI PLANNING MEETING 13 FEB 2011 SCOTT CHRISTIANSEN, Senior AG Development Advisor,

WLI PLANNING MEETING 13 FEB 2011 SCOTT CHRISTIANSEN, Senior AG Development Advisor, USAID Office of Technical Support, Bureaus for Asia & the Middle East, WLI Activity Manager, USAID. INTRODUCTION. Water and Livelihoods Initiative (WLI) Small, Middle East

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WLI PLANNING MEETING 13 FEB 2011 SCOTT CHRISTIANSEN, Senior AG Development Advisor,

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  1. WLI PLANNING MEETING 13 FEB 2011 SCOTT CHRISTIANSEN, Senior AG Development Advisor, USAID Office of Technical Support, Bureaus for Asia & the Middle East, WLI Activity Manager, USAID

  2. INTRODUCTION • Water and Livelihoods Initiative (WLI) • Small, Middle East • Modernization of Extension and Advisory Services (MEAS) • Small, Leader with Associate Grant, Global • MENA Network of Water Centers of Excellence (MENA NWC) • Large, MENA (including Gulf) • Feed the Future (FTF) • Large, AFR mainly plus LAC & ASIA

  3. WLI MAIN GOALS: Aligned with FTF • To improve the livelihoods of rural households and communities in areas where: • water scarcity • land degradation • water quality deterioration • food security • health problems are prevalent in the seven countries, with emphasis on economic, social and educational opportunities in the benchmark sites.

  4. WLI MAIN ACTIVITIES • Benchmark site characterization (8 sites) • Training and capacity building • Research

  5. Partners • <Stronger weaker involvement> • CG Centers • <ICARDA, IWMI, IFPRI> • US Universities • <UF, UCD/R, UIUC, USU, TAMU> • Middle Eastern Universities • <Hubs and National Universities> • NARES • <Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen>

  6. WLI Vision: 10-year-long regional project that builds bonds and mutual trust through ME and US student exchanges at all levels and bi-directionally; sharing and using research for development in rainfed, rangelands, and irrigated sites in communities where water productivity and natural resource sustainability must be improved.

  7. WLI Reality • Regional funding available enabling start up but no-buy in from bilateral Missions for expansion • This will never take place automatically! • Some partners still on-sidelines • Need to discuss roles so we will be ready • Different approaches: ICARDA research with NARES vs. university interest in using students as the template for interaction

  8. Communication needs strengthening • Work sometimes done but nobody knows • Full-time fully empowered facilitator • Need a full-time coordinator • Use cross program model used at ICARDA • Innovation • Provide logistics and contacts for MEAS & NWC; adopt S&T to improve our skills

  9. Modernization of Extension and Advisory Services (MEAS) • Leader with Associates Award from USAID to UIUC with a dozen other institutions, including several WLI Universities (UF, UCD, TAMU). • MEAS is already competed • WLI using the CG grant is non-competitive

  10. MEAS APPROACHES • Mainstreaming Modern Approaches: • user-friendly materials for dissemination and training programs • Documenting Lessons and Good Practice: • success stories, case studies, evaluations, pilot projects, and action research • Designing Extension & Advisory Services: • analysis, design, evaluation and reform of rural extension and advisory services

  11. MEAS PARTNERSHIP WITH WLI • ICARDA & NARES provide contacts and logistical services while MEAS Institutions bring special expertise from their staff • Different approaches depending on Mission but can start with Egypt & replicate in WLI countries • Scoping (WLI & MEAS cover costs) • Full concept note (Mission pays for this more detailed diagnosis) • Design and build (Mission funds full diagnosis and gives an associate award for actual implementation)

  12. Three Existing USAID Projects (1-3) and Proposed MEAS-WLI Assessment (4) (4) MEAS-WLI Potential collaboration in the Nile Delta? • IWRM-II • USAID East Delta • Development S N O • (2) WLI • Research • for • Development • Type of site • (O) Old lands • (S) Saline lands • (N) New lands (3) MUCIA Vocational Education

  13. MEAS PARTNERSHIP WITH WLI • USAID Missions are far more likely to fund a LWA with MEAS • Face it – it is far easier for a US university person to get an audience with the USAID Mission and they can bring their WLI partners along • So let’s make a strong partnership!

  14. A Big Opportunity MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA NETWORK OF WATER CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE(MENA NWC)

  15. PRESIDENT OBAMA’S VISION [To] “open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops.” “A New Beginning” Cairo, Egypt June 4, 2009

  16. CAIRO INITIATIVE: PROPOSED CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE Water in the Middle East and North Africa Climate Change in Asia Health Renewable Energy Science Policy

  17. CONSULTATIVE PROCESS FOR WATER Design Team visits to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and West Bank/Gaza - interviews with nearly 200 stakeholders in 64 institutions Design Team meetings with 50 experts across U.S. with USG agencies, universities, and research centers

  18. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Widespread eagerness to participate Must avoid perception of winner and losers Weak links between research and policy and application in water sector Little or no current regional collaboration Avoid political traps Ambitious but realistic program Opportunities for donor-private sector alliances

  19. A NETWORK OF CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE Reflects the President’s tone and vision of collaboration Results achievable within time and financial realities Focus on policy, research and outreach Links to universities, laboratories, research centers, and private sector worldwide to build capacity, introduce new ideas, and provide opportunities for professional growth Rather than one center, create a network of centers of excellence that fosters regional partnerships

  20. NETWORK’S GOAL Reverse the increasing scarcity of water in the region by adapting, developing, and disseminating policy tools and technical and management interventions that expand supply, reduce demand, and dramatically increase its efficient, productive, and sustainable use.

  21. ORGANIZATION Board of Trustees – sets overall direction Secretariat – manages day-to-day operations Technical Advisory Panel – provides cutting-edge technical guidance Planning and Implementation Committee – prioritizes and develops activities

  22. CORE FUNCTIONS • Build relationships • Stimulate dialogue • Support research • Encourage use of research • Manage knowledge • Build research, technical, and management skills • Expand investment in the water sector

  23. NWC TECHNICAL FOCI Water Use Efficiency and Productivity Water Resources Planning and Management to Mitigate Climate Change Impact Small-Scale Desalination Groundwater Resource Management Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture

  24. SELECTING MEMBER CENTERS • Commitment to the network concept • Operating infrastructure • Reputation in region • In-house technical capacity • Ongoing water-related research or training programs • Collaborative spirit • Record of knowledge sharing • Experience affecting water management policy

  25. Next Steps Circulation of assessment and design report in the region for comment Meeting of member reps to validate concept and to nominate a steering committee Form Board, Secretariat and Endowment Consultations with potential investors Follow-up visits to other MENA countries Designing activities to jumpstart implementation

  26. Next Steps Circulation of assessment and design report in the region for comment Meeting of member reps to validate concept and to nominate a steering committee Form Board, Secretariat and Endowment Consultations with potential investors Follow-up visits to other MENA countries Designing activities to jumpstart implementation

  27. MENA NWC Key Dates • Feb 28-Mar 3: Doha. The meeting will be co-hosted by the USG and QNFSP, and will bring together Directors of Centers of Excellence, and Donors • review and discuss the objectives of the NWC • identify a shortlist of candidates for a Founders Committee • agree on the terms of a charter to be signed • review the trust fund’s initial framework • discuss the organizational structure • agree on criteria for the selection for membership • Decide the Secretariat's venue.

  28. GOOD NEWS: WLI & NWC • WLI is one of the Activities under the NWC designed for immediate action • WLI CG Charter Members: ICARDA & IWMI • WLI NARES Charter Members: NCARE-Jordan & NWRC-Egypt • WLI Universities: UCD, USU and TAMU will be attending the Doha Meeting

  29. CONCLUSIONS: WLI • Funding will arrive but step by step: the total amount will never come all at once • We have at least $1m available now and another tranche is planned • Some new funds will pass thru to US Universities (US-ME student/staff research collaborations and stipends/fees)

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