D6.1 AKIS-Stakeholder Activation and Engagement Methodology and Tools

Engagement with key actors within the regional/national Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS), including researchers, policy makers, technology providers, general public, etc. is essential for the successful implementation of climate smart advising and climate smart farming. This engagement fosters co-creation, mutual learning, and knowledge exchange, thereby strengthening advisors’ capacity to provide climate smart advice. Furthermore, it facilitates the scaling up of ClimateSmartAdvisors (CSA) project outcomes and contributes to embedding the CSA network and project outcomes within national AKIS both during and after the end of the project. This document outlines a structured approach, along with associated methods and tools, for identifying, activating, and engaging Climate Smart AKIS (CS-AKIS) actors in a co-creation process at the national level. The primary audience for this document includes National Coordinators (NCs) and Climate smart Coaches (CSCs), who will receive training on implementing these methods and tools at the national level and at the Communities of Practice (CoPs) level. The first step involves conducting a thorough analysis of the current landscape of climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture. Partner countries will need to identify both the levers for integrating climate smart advising and climate smart farming practices, as well as the barriers that may hinder their adoption and implementation. Once these levers and barriers are identified, it becomes easier to identify and map CS-AKIS actors who are likely to have an impact on or be impacted by climate smart practices or the operation of the CoPs. Identifying CS-AKIS actors requires recognising individuals, organisations or institutions actively engaged in practices, research, or policies aimed at promoting climate smart farming. Subsequently, categorising and prioritising these actors is necessary for effectively managing their engagement. CS-AKIS actors may differ in terms of the role and the influence they may have on the project’s success. Therefore, the CS-AKIS Actors Communication and Engagement plan, developed annually, must outline specific engagement activities tailored to each stakeholder group, along with the communication channels for effectively reaching them. Engagement activities serve a dual purpose: informing local and national CS-AKIS actors about the project and its results, and encouraging and improving their active participation in the project's endeavours. This structured approach goes beyond merely listing CS-AKIS actors. It involves analysing and understanding them, which is crucial for developing tailored communication and engagement strategies. Additionally, this approach aids in risk management by anticipating stakeholder impacts, allowing proactive addressing of concerns, risk mitigation, and leveraging opportunities.