These third-party projects have been launched in Nairobi, Kenya, and are currently engaged in a 5-day planning workshop to ensure synergies and a collective impact on the project outcomes.

In the opening remarks of the Executive Director of FARA, Dr. Yemi Akinbmijo reiterated that the AIRTEA’s focus on innovation is based on evidence assembled by FARA, ASARECA, EAFF, and other SROs over many years. One of the novelties introduced by AIRTEA is the concept of “Agribusiness Learning Alliances.” It is aimed at supporting the transition of farmers’ groups from subsistence to profitable and dynamic businesses.

He gratefully acknowledged the KCB Foundation for taking interest in the AIRTEA project. “We are optimistic that our discussions and your engagement in this kick-off will lead to a collaborative arrangement aimed at deepening the benefits derived by the end-users of the AIRTEA project and expanding its reach.”

FARA is coordinating the overall project, which includes knowledge management #KM4AgDchallenge support to ensure that it meets its objectives and is sustainable.

Experiences will be drawn from the PAEPARD project, amongst others, and will explore the use of proven approaches for agricultural development, including the Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (MSP), the User-Led Process (ULP), the IAR4D Innovation Platforms, the Agri-Business Learning Alliances (ABLA), and the Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) agenda, amongst others.

By: Benjamin Abugri, Daniel Peprah

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The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), together with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and the East African Farmers’ Federation (EAFF) are pleased to announce that the eleven (11) Third-Party Projects listed in the table below have been selected for funding under the project “Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa” (AIRTEA).  The AIRTEA project is supported by the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) through the ACP Innovation Fund which is funded by the European Union (EU).  The AIRTEA project is being implemented in three countries (Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda) under FARA, ASARECA and EAFF coordination.

The selection of the 11 third-party projects was overseen by the three coordinating institutions and followed a rigorous and competitive evaluation process involving 112 proposals that were submitted in response to the AIRTEA call.  Third-party projects will start from March 1, 2022, for two and a half years.

FARA, ASARECA and EAFF congratulate the consortia that conceived and developed the 11 third-party projects selected for funding.  We wish to register our strong appreciation of the 101 consortia that responded to the AIRTEA project call with proposals that were not selected.  We wish the consortia responsible for implementing the selected projects success in delivering the expected outcomes and impact of the AIRTEA project and look forward to working with them towards this goal.

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1. A consortium consisting of FARA, ASARECA, and EAFF is implementing the project Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa (AIRTEA) sponsored by the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) through the ACP-Innovation Fund which itself is funded by the European Union (EU) through the 11^th European Development Fund (EDF). The OACPS is supported by a Technical Assistance Unit (TAU) – which oversees the management of the OACPS Research and Innovation Programme (https://oacps-ri.eu).

The AIRTEA Project is expected to produce a series of outputs that include but not limited to the following:

1. 1. Capacities of youth and women involved in East Africa’s innovation platforms strengthened (Output 1.1);
   2. Innovation Platforms and linkages along country priority value chains established and supported (Output 1.2);
   3. Technologies, innovations and management practices generated or adapted to address challenges of marginalized rural communities (Output 2.1);
   4. Knowledge products and solutions developed or sourced to address challenges of marginalized rural communities (Output 2.2);
   5. National ABLA platforms established (Output 2.3);
   6. Collaborative partnerships within ABLA supported (Output 2.4);
   7. Technology transfer and uptake developed and made available for dissemination of knowledge products among value chain actor (Output 2.5); and
   8. New business services offered by operators along the value chain (Output 3.1).

2. The overall aim of this assignment is to engage the services of Independent Experts is to evaluate proposals responding to the call for proposals launched for stakeholders from Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The specific objectives of this Assignment are:

1. 1. To assess, using the scorecard criteria, all proposals submitted in response to the call and fulfilling the administration criteria after a check done by the AIRTEA coordination.
   2. To recommend, for funding, the best proposals to the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
   3. To produce a report of the evaluation process and its outcome.

3. This request for expression of interest aims at engaging Experts to carry out the following functions:

1. 1. Participate in the session that will nominate the chairman and the vice-chairman of the IEC.
   2. Read, provide review comments, and score all proposals that will be assigned by the chairman and the vice-chairman of the IEC. Each proposal must be assessed by a minimum of 2 evaluators and a maximum of 3.
   3. Participate in the development of a timetable/timeline/timeframe of the assignment. The assignment is expected to be completed by 16 August 2021.
   4. Deliberate/decide on the proposals to be awarded and funds to be allocated based on the scores from different evaluators.
   5. Produce a synthetic but detailed report on each proposal: strengths and weaknesses. And therefore, why was it recommended or not to be funded.

The detailed terms of reference is in the link below:

ToRs-Independent Evaluation Committee-IEC_commentsGO_Clean_JM_29May_GO (002)

4. The Executive Director of FARA invites interested Experts to express interest in carrying out this assignment.

5. Individuals interested in this call must submit an Expression of Interest and CVs, outlining references related to the execution of similar contracts, experience in similar areas, or evidence of knowledge and educational qualifications.

6. The anticipated period of performance of the IEC for this assignment is 15 man-days spread over two (2) months. The assignment is expected to be completed by 16 August 2021.

7. The individual consultants shall be selected based on procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.

8. Interested consultants may obtain supplementary information from the Research, Policy and Investment Lead Specialist, Jonas Mugabe [jmugabe@faraafrica.org] and copy the Procurement Expert, Mr. Callistus Achaab [cachaab@faraafrica.org], during the following hours: 9h00 to 15h00 GMT.

Please DOWNLOAD the Terms of Reference below for further information on this opportunity.

9. Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [recruitment@faraafrica.org] and addressed to Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director of FARA, No 9 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Wednesday, 14^th July 2021, at 14h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888

FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.

 Executive Director of FARA

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