D4.1 ME&L framework to strengthen CS advisory capacity

Aim of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning The aim of the Climate Smart Advisors project is mobilise the European agricultural advisory community, leading to an acceleration of the adoption of climate smart farming practices by the wider farming community within and across EU AKISs. Agricultural advisory services will be boosted by strengthening advisors’ capacity to provide targeted Climate Smart advice. The main vehicle for strengthening advisor capacity will be a Community of Practice (CoP), comprising a Climate Smart Coach and 6 Climate Smart Advisors. The aim of WP4 is to design, coordinate and facilitate regular Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (ME&L) within the CSA network. With a particular focus on the CoPs, the ME&L conceptual framework, processes and tools set out in this document to provide the foundations to enable the CSA network to function as a learning system. The ME&L conceptual framework provides the CSA network with key concepts, methods, tools and training. The framework integrates learning on four levels: network; work packages; Climate Smart Coaches and Advisors; and practice. Key Building Blocks Based on the CSA Theory of Change, the ME&L conceptual framework is focussed on three building blocks: 1. Capacity development: The specific knowledge, attitudes and skills advisors need to support farmers and accelerate the adoption of climate smart farming practices. 2. The role of the advisor: Supporting the implementation of climate smart farming measures and acting as change agents, navigating the transition to CSF. 3. Climate Action: The actions taken to combat climate change and subsequent impacts. Instruments for ME&L The ME&L approach employs three interconnected instruments to understand the effects and enhance the effectiveness of interventions within the CSA network: 1. Evaluation of interventions (TTT and CoP) - A generic instrument has been developed to evaluate and refine the key capacity development interventions in the network, with a specific evaluation of the Training the Trainers (TTT) and an instrument for the annual self-evaluation of each Community of Practice (CoP). This last instrument will be used to prepare for the annual CoP reflection and planning session during the National Annual Meeting at country level (NAM). 2. Climate Smart Advice Capacity Assessment Tool (CSA-CAT) – Focusses on the development of CS advisory capacity and is aimed at monitoring and evaluation. It has been developed specifically for monitoring and supporting the development of CSA capacity within the network. 3. Dynamic Learning Agenda (DLA) - Overarching ME&L instrument that is employed for coordinating, facilitating and enriching learning across various actors, activities and components of the network. The aim is to deepen and guide learning, to document lessons learned and to foster collaboration and exchange between CoPs, countries, thematic areas, Work Packages, and Projects, Initiatives and Programs (PIPs) beyond the CSA network. The ME&L framework and approach is iterative and dynamic. It provides the first step in fostering the CSA network as a dynamic learning system for the continuous improvement of network functionality and the strengthening of climate-smart advisory capacity to accelerate the adoption of climate smart farming.