Strengthening Institutional Capacity
Participation in the TRADE Hub not only benefited individual researchers but also elevated the international profile of partner institutions from DAC-listed countries. The influx of research funding, partnerships and increased visibility that the project brought has facilitated greater access to networking opportunities and funding avenues, bolstering the organizational capacity of these institutions.
Moreover, the capacity strengthening initiatives described earlier have yielded significant improvements in organizational capacity. Many team members opted to remain with their institutions, bringing back enhanced skills and expertise acquired through their involvement in the project. Others moved on to new roles with organizations with global impact, furthering their career ambitions.
Long-term positive impacts of engagement with the TRADE Hub show up in the institutional knowledge gained by partners. Notably, the development of project management capacity, research ethics and safeguarding capabilities stand out as examples of institutional growth. Working within a large, multinational collaboration has necessitated the cultivation of robust project management skills, with vital support and training provided by the TRADE Hub Project Management and Operation team.
Furthermore, GCRF and the TRADE Hub's commitment to impact-focused work played a pivotal role in strengthening institutional capacity. Impact thinking was mainstreamed in all research and project planning processes, through the development and continuous follow up of our Theory of Change, Impact Pathways, and MEL work. The communications team worked alongside the project management team and outreach work package teams to follow up all research development with communications and outreach plans. Country teams and work package leads took responsibility for coordinated dissemination efforts and integration of the work with key stakeholder groups. The individual training provided to our researchers and team members was instrumental in equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive impactful outcomes. By honing their abilities in policy translation and management, the TRADE Hub has empowered its staff and consultants to effectively bridge the gap between research and real-world application.
Through targeted engagement with stakeholders, we translated research outputs into policy and management-relevant communication. This direct interaction ensured that the research conducted aligned closely with the needs and priorities of stakeholders, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of their outputs.
Empowering Talent and Institutions: Capacity Building in Tanzania
Our initiatives in Tanzania led to significant capacity building achievements, particularly with engaging MSc and PhD students as research assistants. Nine MSc students and one PhD student successfully completed their studies, with the majority transitioning into roles within the public and private sectors. Additionally, collaborations with external programs such as the World Bank HEET program ensured a comprehensive approach to integrating trade issues into education.
A notable achievement is the establishment of a curriculum on international trade and economic development at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). It addressed critical knowledge gaps in the field. Moreover, capacity building efforts extended to researchers within the project and external agencies like the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute (TARI).
Training programs focused on equipping stakeholders with essential skills in data analysis (particularly in R), software utilization and interdisciplinary research. These efforts enhanced decision-making capabilities and empowered individuals to contribute effectively to trade-related initiatives.
Furthermore, senior academic staff benefited from learning about large-scale project management, research ethics and safeguarding within a consortium. This fostered institutional growth and development at SUA. Through these endeavours, we not only empowered individuals but also strengthened institutions by laying a foundation for sustainable development and impactful change in Tanzania.
Empowering Research Skills: Capacity Building in Indonesia
Our Indonesia team actively engaged in training young researchers by offering sessions on topics such as systematic review and meta-analysis and social network analysis. To facilitate learning, we developed two modules that provided guidance on the utilization of various analytical tools including Nvivo and Kumu, among others.
These training sessions were conducted both online and offline to a diverse audience of researchers, students and practitioners. Offline sessions helped graduate students to use analytical tools effectively in their research projects. These sessions were all offered in Bahasa, to reach individuals who may not have been able to access these tools due to language barriers otherwise.
To ensure the sustainability of the training modules, short instructional videos were created for each step. These were accessible via Google Classroom or YouTube.
By empowering researchers with essential analytical skills and providing accessible learning resources, our team in Indonesia contributed towards the growth and development of research capacity in the country. These efforts pave the way for enhanced research outcomes and greater impact in addressing Indonesia's socio-economic and environmental challenges.
A “Farmer Field School”: Enabling smallholder farmers in Segati village to adopt environmentally sustainable production practices
Our Indonesia team mapped out the smallholders present in Segati village, close to a major national park. Their mapping revealed the extent of smallholder farmers present in the region. This was previously unknown by local officials. The finding led to the establishment of a Farmer Field School Program. The team running the program were then able to help register smallholders so they could become eligible for government support in the form of technical assistance and access to finance.
Moreover, the team began to implement training with many of these smallholders, focusing on technical assistance and providing guides to achieving certification. This led to the development of groups of smallholder farmers who could continue to share best practices and engage in discussions relating to sustainable production.
By March 2024, the program formed formal smallholder groups, provided Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) training, and produced a guidance book to help farmers register for government programs. This initiative created a sustainable legacy that has set farmers up to continue sharing best practices and engaging in discussions on sustainable production for years to come.
Oxford Biodiversity Fellowship Program: Enhancing Capacity and Collaboration
Oxford University fostered capacity building and collaboration through its Biodiversity Fellowship program by introducing four TRADE Hub Fellows. This initiative provided several African researchers with the opportunity to spend time working at Oxford University on agricultural commodities, wild meat demand reduction and wild meat markets.
The Biodiversity Fellowship program serves as a catalyst for capacity building and network development. It helped fellows to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge and build larger professional networks. By facilitating cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange, the program strengthened research capabilities and fostered long-term partnerships aimed at advancing biodiversity conservation efforts in Africa and beyond.