prf1

=Africa RISING in Ethiopia= = = =1st partner research forum meeting= =Addis Ababa, 5 October 2012=


 * Participants**

Alan Duncan (ILRI) Iain Wright (ILRI) Peter Thorne (ILRI) Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) Beth Cullen (ILRI) Steffen Schulz (CIP) Kiros Hadgu (ICRAF) Leonard Oruko (IFPRI - ATA) Eliud Birachi (CIAT) Robin Buruchara (CIAT) Jane Wamatu (ICARDA) Geletu Bejiga (ICARDA) Charlotte MacAlister (IWMI) Simon Langan (IWMI)


 * Key points from the discussions**

1. Review of the draft project implementation plan
 * some discussion of the components and the inter-relations among them
 * agreement on the overall PIP - yes
 * the project needs to look for innovative ways for Africa RISING resources/expertise to work across center activities [joint appointments, shared local staff ...]

2. Finalising project site selection
 * This needs to be complete by mid-November 2012
 * Leonard will convene a small group - kiros, jane, alan, beth, steffen, eliud, simon - to produce 'the' plan; explaining why/where/when/criteria. Meeting on 10 October 2012 (15:00); then we expect visits to shortlisted sites etc.

3. Development of component plans by multi-partner teams
 * Each center to suggest what they can contribute in terms to skills and leadership to each component; to Peter Thorne, ASAP
 * Then the groups form to produce the component plans
 * Question of who reviews and approves these - the PCC?

Other points
 * Time spent can already be charged to the project
 * Regarding the year 1 funds, can these be carried over to the next year? Action Peter Thorne
 * Some discussion of the need for capital investment - eg vehicles - in project sites.

Proposed financial split across research components (2012-2013):
 * Research component 1 || 200,000   ||
 * Research component 2 || 200,000   ||
 * Research component 3 || 200,000   ||
 * Research component 4 || 100,000   ||
 * Research component 5 || 350,000   ||
 * Research component 6 || 100,000   ||
 * Opportunity fund || 200,000   ||