Our Approach
ASPIRES integrates broad consultation and outreach into all phases of policy research processes continuum. It achieves this integration through the following Strategic Stakeholder Engagement (SSE) techniques:
Policy Research
Policy Advocacy and Dialogue
Drafting/Reviewing Laws, Regulation, etc.
Policy Reforms & Approval
Policy Implementation
Policy Monitoring
Policy Research
ASPIRES integrates systematic stakeholder engagement into research activities to increase the use of evidence in policy-making and enhance the sustainability, inclusivity, and transparency of the policy process. The goal is to improve the quality of agricultural and nutrition policy research and to monitor and evaluate for better-informed policy decisions.
We conduct research, generate, and translate data into practical policy solutions in collaboration with Michigan State University, local academic institutions, the National Bureau of Statistics, and public and private organizations focused on research and policy engagement in the agriculture, nutrition, trade, and business sectors
Policy Advocacy and Dialogue
ASPIRES coordinates and contributes to constructive, multi-stakeholder policy debates on agricultural, nutrition and rural development alternatives. ASPIRES also encourages dialogue and the exchange of research generated data and evidence among different stakeholders at national and regional levels.
Drafting/Reviewing Laws, Regulation, etc.
ASPIRES works closely with ASLMs to ensure the policy framework influencing agricultural policy-making is clearly defined, consistently applied, and enforced from year to year. We are committed to promoting transparency in the policy process, in accordance with the rules outlined in the nation’s constitution, basic law, and the overarching legal framework.
Policy Reforms & Approval
We collaborate with the government to ensure that non state actors are provided with a meaningful opportunity to participate in policy formulation and strategy discussions. This could be through participation in the management/steering committee, in technical working groups and/or through other forums.
Policy Implementation
ASPIRES systematically identifies opportunities for intervention in policy reforms to ensure that impactful reforms are implemented.
Policy Monitoring
In addition to enhancing the quality of agricultural and nutrition policy research and discussions, ASPIRES monitors the country’s policy change processes through Policy Institutional Architecture Assessment (IAA). The IAA evaluates a country’s capacity for transparent, inclusive, predictable, and evidence-based policy change. The policy change process is assessed using six key elements: a guiding policy framework, policy development and coordination, inclusivity and stakeholder consultation, evidence-based analysis, policy implementation, and mutual accountability.