Guidelines on establishing innovation platforms for Africa RISING partners in Ethiopia

The Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) program comprises three research-for-development projects supported by the United States Agency for International Development as part of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative. Through action research and development partnerships, Africa RISING will create opportunities for smallholder farm households to move out of hunger and poverty through sustainably intensified farming systems that improve food, nutrition, and income security, particularly for women and children, and
conserve or enhance the natural resource base.
This guide aims to give an overview of the Innovation Platform (IPs) approach used by Africa RISING. The guide is primarily for Consultative Group in Agricultural Research (CGIAR) researchers and other partners involved in the Africa RISING project. The document aims to briefly explain the IP concept, the initial steps that have been taken to establish platforms in the Africa RISING sites and the communication and coordination mechanism that have been put in place. This will help the project partners to develop a common understanding of the platform process and the communication strategy.