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21. How Pratham Learns While Scaling: A Case Study of Adaptive Design and Evaluation

Author:
Jossie Fahsbender, Siddhant Gokhale, and Michael Walton
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
Abstract:
Developing scalable innovations is a central challenge in development. Organizations that succeed in scaling often prioritize measurement, learning, and evaluation, but how this is done is poorly understood. This paper explores the case of Pratham, one of the largest NGOs in primary education and an exceptional learning organization. While Pratham is renowned for its randomized control trial sequence with J-PAL, we underscore this is just one aspect of a wider array of learning activities. These include an iterative process to continuously refine and protocolize solutions as they scale, the use of on-field qualitative insights and quantitative tracking, open feedback channels between the field, state, and central offices, information exchange among content and evaluation teams, and a nationwide assessment of learning levels (ASER). The RCTs were effective because they were embedded within this broader learning process and culture. Pratham learns at three levels: learning to improve children's basic skills, learning as an organization about what does and doesn’t work, and fostering learning by others in the system. Its learning capacity is rooted in deep-seated values and a culture of openness, trust, problem-solving, and the freedom to experiment and learn from failure, inculcated and nurtured by its leadership. Throughout, we use the prism of an Adaptive Evaluation to provide a systematic framework for mirroring and understanding Pratham's organic learning processes (as affirmed by its own leadership). Pratham actively engages with the three main pillars of an Adaptive Evaluation, involving understanding systems, theorizing how to effect change, and iterating its designs. While Pratham’s culture will often not be transferable, the systematic analysis of how Pratham learns can provide a framework for other organizations aspiring to replicate Pratham's success as a learning institution.
Topic:
Development, Economy, Innovation, and Adaptation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

22. Perspectives from the Bonn Climate Change Conference Ahead of COP28

Author:
Mohammed Mahmoud, Athraa Khamis, and Neeshad Shafi
Publication Date:
07-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Middle East Institute (MEI)
Abstract:
This year's Bonn Climate Change Conference featured events and discussions focusing on climate issues such as adaptation, mitigation, the global stocktake, and climate loss and damage. Progress on these issues at the Bonn Conference is intended to translate into potential draft decisions to be adopted at the COP28 meeting taking place in the UAE later this year. Mohammed Mahmoud discusses the details of the Bonn Conference, how it may have shaped the MENA climate change agenda, and other major outcomes with Athra Khamis and Neeshad Shafi, two of MEI’s non-resident scholars in the Climate and Water Program that attended the Bonn Conference.
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, Water, Adaptation, and Conference of the Parties (COP)
Political Geography:
Middle East and North Africa

23. Introduction to Special Issue on Navigating NATO dynamics: Addressing various challenges in the international security environment

Author:
Bert Chapman, Jarosław Gryz, and George Andrew Zombanakis
Publication Date:
12-2023
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
As the international security environment undergoes significant changes, North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) capacity to adapt shows how alliances can evolve from focusing on military defence to encompassing a wider spectrum of regional security challenges in an integrated manner. Russia’s violation of international law in 2014, followed by the war in Ukraine, has drawn the attention of NATO to the fact that apart from diplomatic measures, there might be a need to resort to more dynamic means in order to safeguard its members’ interests, especially when the security of the alliance’s eastern flank is threatened. NATO’s evolving role in the international security landscape reflects the alliance’s strategic adaptation to contemporary geopolitical challenges. The 2022 Strategic Concept embodies this change, emphasising NATO’s primary purpose of ensuring collective defence through a comprehensive approach focused on deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security (Calmels, 2020; North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], 2022). This change occurs within a complex geopolitical context, further complicated by evolving public opinion. For example, recent trends in the United States, particularly among younger Republican congressional representatives, reveal evolving attitudes towards the support for Ukraine. With growing disapproval of President Biden’s management of the Ukraine crisis, and varying opinions on the level and duration of support for Ukraine, it is evident that public sentiment is divided and evolving (Cerda, 2023; Langer, 2023). These findings reveal the complexity of the US involvement in the Russia–Ukraine conflict and the need for policymakers to consider these diverse viewpoints when shaping the future foreign policy decisions. The shifts in public opinion can also have significant implications for the ongoing conflict (Fisher, 2020), which is expected to continue for an extended period. This dynamic international security situation and shift in public opinion have set the stage for the ongoing challenges that NATO member states face in addressing the war in Ukraine. Consequently, there has been a significant surge in literature exploring these issues, examining them in terms of geopolitics, economics, and even psychology. Thoroughly investigating complex conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, requires an integrative research approach, drawing on multiple research sources, including scholarly journal articles, government information resources from multiple democratic countries and international organisations, datasets, public policy research institute materials, multiple social media platforms, and public opinion polls. Researchers must navigate the strengths and weaknesses inherent in these resources while adopting an interdisciplinary methodology to comprehensively analyse these events.
Topic:
NATO, International Security, Military Strategy, Hybrid Warfare, Adaptation, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:
Europe and North America

24. Climate Adaptation and Job Creation: Addressing the Climate and Livelihoods Crises in India

Author:
Anjana Thampi
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
Abstract:
India was seventh in a list of the ten most affected countries due to extreme weather events in 2019. A sharp increase in the frequency and intensity of such events in the country by the end of the twenty-first century is projected. At the same time, relatively high economic growth rates have not resulted in secure and sustainable employment opportunities in the Indian economy. The loss of millions of jobs due to climate hazards in the country is also projected. In this context, I raise two key questions. First, are livelihoods in certain regions within India more vulnerable to climatic changes? The priority regions for adaptation planning and intervention are identified by constructing a livelihoods vulnerability index. Second, can institutional climate adaptation activities simultaneously address the climate and livelihoods crises in the country? The job creation estimates through five representative adaptation activities support the need for increased spending in a climate adaptation programme. Spending 1.5 percent of the GDP on a climate adaptation programme could create jobs to the extent of 1.3 percent of the labour force as of 2017-18. Investing 3 percent of the GDP on a combined climate adaptation and mitigation programme over the same amount spent instead on a fossil fuel-based programme would lead to net employment gains of around 2 percent of the labour force. This paper argues that investing in climate adaptation activities can secure livelihoods while improving mechanisms to build resilience to climate hazards. Such activities, if planned and implemented in accordance with the geographies, vulnerabilities, and socio-economic patterns of each region, could be transformational.
Topic:
Climate Change, Economic Growth, Job Creation, Adaptation, and Livelihoods
Political Geography:
South Asia and India

25. North Korea’s Climate Change Challenges and the Need for International Cooperation

Author:
Dawool Kim
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
North Korea recognized the importance of addressing climate change early on and has been an active participant in international cooperation on climate change. However, North Korea's vulnerability to climate change is still considered to be very high, and the country has been unable to participate in the international community's efforts to support climate change adaptation in developing countries due to sanctions. This study aims to analyze the climate change challenges that North Korea faces focusing on natural disasters and agriculture. For this purpose, it not only refers to domestic and international statistics, literature, and media data but also uses real-time satellite data to provide empirical evidence on climate change impacts and policy performance in North Korea. Also, It suggests the need for South Korea to support North Korea’s adaptation to climate change, especially in cooperation with the international community.
Topic:
Agriculture, Climate Change, International Cooperation, Natural Disasters, and Adaptation
Political Geography:
Asia and North Korea

26. A Conceptual Framework for Monitoring and Evaluation for Learning and Adaptation (MELA) in NGOs

Author:
James Ward Khakshi
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), Brac University
Abstract:
The significance of organizational learning in general and the learning roles of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in non-government organizations (NGOs) in particular is widely recognized. However, in many instances, the normative frameworks or recommendations tend to be overly theoretical or only partial to their real entirety, which limits their practical applications. This paper aims to contribute with a conceptual framework for monitoring and evaluation for learning and adaptation (MELA) specifically in NGOs. The MELA framework is designed to drive organizational and programmatic improvements by outlining a learning process that encompasses planning, creation, and adaptation based on the learning from M&E activities. The paper introduced the continuum of learning types, the planning process for adaptive management, characteristics of MELA, methodological implications for learning, and programmatic adaptations at operational, tactical, and strategic levels.
Topic:
Development, NGOs, Performance Evaluation, Adaptation, and Monitoring
Political Geography:
Global Focus

27. Refining the Global Goal on Adaptation ahead of COP28

Author:
Anna Cabre, Olivia Fielding, and Michael Weisberg
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Peace Institute (IPI)
Abstract:
As the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) approaches, it is increasingly crucial to understand and develop clear actions for not only mitigation but also adaptation. While mitigation has the clear numerical target of limiting warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, adaptation is a complex concept that cannot be captured in a single figure. Ahead of COP28, there is a need for conceptual clarity as to what exactly the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) aims to achieve and how it can be globally applicable when adaptation is so often locally implemented. One way to clarify the GGA is to adopt well-being as the ultimate outcome toward which countries should be working. Well-being is a state where one can pursue one’s goals and thrive. This requires having adequate physical health, water, food, and a healthy environment, even as the impacts of climate change worsen. Adaptation actions that further this goal should be assessed by their effects on present and future human and environmental well-being. Whenever possible, these actions should be both transboundary, reaching across national borders and administrative or jurisdictional boundaries, and transformational, addressing the systemic root causes of climate impacts and working toward a more stable, flexible, and equitable future. This policy paper lays out the various climate risks that affect each of the four pillars of the GGA: human health, water security, food security, and biodiversity. It then details adaptation actions that can be taken in response to these risks, as well as indicators for improvement. While each step of the adaptation policy cycle should be robust and well-funded, these four pillars are the areas where progress is most crucial to achieving the GGA. When crafting a framework for transformational adaptation in these four areas, negotiators and technical experts can draw on existing, agreed-upon frameworks and indicators that point the world toward the goal of well-being for people and planet.
Topic:
Climate Change, Health, Water, Food Security, Adaptation, Conference of the Parties (COP), and Mitigation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

28. Technology needs for climate adaptation in agriculture: Evidence from Africa

Author:
African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
Abstract:
The adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a pivotal role in driving innovation to combat climate change in African agriculture. This policy brief underscores key factors influencing ICT adoption in agriculture, with a special emphasis on affordability, cost-effectiveness, and clear economic benefits. Access to digital farming solutions and ICT tools is rapidly spreading across the continent, particularly in providing farmers with essential weather information, market access, and improved agricultural practices. Despite these promising developments, significant challenges such as high data costs, limited digital literacy, and gender-based digital disparities must be addressed to ensure inclusivity in technological access. Furthermore, the knowledge product demonstrates the critical role of climate-resilient crop varieties and adaptable livestock breeds in agricultural technological innovation. This includes drought-tolerant, heat-resistant, and diseaseresistant crops, as well as livestock breeds suited for changing environmental conditions. Water management and irrigation technologies, such as precision agriculture and data analytics, are critical to optimizing resource use, increasing efficiency, and empowering women in agriculture. This document emphasizes the importance of ICT in closing technological gaps, improving weather monitoring, promoting resilient crops and livestock, and fostering sustainable practices across African agricultural systems. A gender-responsive approach to technological innovation is essential for ensuring equitable participation and closing existing gaps. Finally, the knowledge product emphasizes the importance of policy support, capacity development, and public-private partnerships in effectively integrating ICT into agriculture. By harnessing the potential of ICT while prioritizing gender-responsive solutions, Africa can successfully adapt to climate change, empower its farming communities, foster sustainable development, unlock economic opportunities, provide access to vital information, and scale up adaptation efforts. Ultimately, technological innovation through ICT is critical to building climate resilience and securing a prosperous and sustainable future for Africa.
Topic:
Agriculture, Climate Change, Science and Technology, Communications, Innovation, and Adaptation
Political Geography:
Africa

29. Coordination challenges and opportunities for climate adaptation in African agriculture

Author:
African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
Abstract:
Climate change poses a major global threat, particularly for agriculture, and this knowledge product delves into the context of climate adaptation in African agriculture. It emphasizes the critical role of climate adaptation in safeguarding the sustainability of food systems and rural communities. African agriculture, predominantly comprised of smallholder farmers, bears the brunt of climate change’s adverse impacts, including erratic rainfall, droughts, and heatwaves, which disrupt crop yields and food availability. Climate adaptation is indispensable to ensure food security and resilient livelihoods. Substantial investments are now being directed towards enhancing climate adaptation capacities across the continent. Collaborative efforts involving governments, NGOs, donors, and local communities aim to promote climate-smart agriculture, improve water management, and enhance access to climate information services. Nevertheless, coordination challenges persist, impeding the effectiveness of adaptation endeavors. Africa’s diverse geography, climates, and socioeconomic conditions make coordination of climate interventions and policy at the international, regional, national, and local levels a complex task. In the Sahel, climate adaptation coordination encounters challenges due to varying priorities and capacities among nations. Aligning international climate policies with regional and national strategies remains a daunting task. Conversely, the Southern African region grapples with the impacts of extreme weather events on agriculture, such as floods and cyclones, necessitating coordinated disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Ethiopia’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is a model of effective multi-stakeholder collaboration. Government agencies, civil society, research institutions, and local communities collaborate to increase adaptive capacity, focusing on locally tailored solutions derived from farmers’ specific needs and indigenous knowledge. Finally, this policy brief illuminates climate adaptation in African agriculture, recognizing the continent’s vulnerability and the need for coordinated action. It shares valuable insights from diverse regions and initiatives, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities of coordinating climate adaptation. Collaboration, knowledge sharing, and coordinated efforts hold the key to ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for African agriculture in a changing climate.
Topic:
Agriculture, Climate Change, Sustainability, Resilience, and Adaptation
Political Geography:
Africa

30. Gender and Social Equity in climate adaptation programming and capacity development in the agriculture sector in Africa

Author:
African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
Abstract:
This policy brief emphasizes the critical importance of incorporating gender and social equity considerations into climate adaptation programming within Africa’s agriculture sector. Climate change is already exerting a significant impact, but its effects are far from uniform. Marginalized communities, notably women and girls, bear a disproportionate burden due to pre-existing social, economic, and cultural disparities. The knowledge brief extensively explores the vulnerabilities and roles of women and marginalized groups, shedding light on the adverse effects of climate change on their lives. It underscores the importance of adopting gender-responsive and socially equitable approaches to effectively mitigate these effects. Furthermore, the analysis showcases a curated selection of case studies, each exemplifying initiatives that have made significant progress in addressing these complex challenges. These initiatives are notable for their dedication to gender mainstreaming, women’s empowerment, and the implementation of gender-sensitive climate adaptation interventions. These case studies offer invaluable insights for replication and scaling up across the continent. Key lessons include promoting gender-transformative adaptation, providing training and technical assistance, enhancing women’s participation in policy development, and improving data collection and analysis. In conclusion, this knowledge product serves issues a compelling call to incorporate gender and social equity considerations into climate adaptation policies and practices, particularly in Africa’s agriculture sector. It contributes to the development of a more resilient and equitable response to climate change in African agriculture, aligning with global sustainability goals. This approach ensures a more just and prosperous future by championing inclusivity and sustainability for all.
Topic:
Agriculture, Climate Change, Adaptation, Equity, and Gender
Political Geography:
Africa