Enhancing Impact with SPIA’s Evidence-Driven Approach for CGIAR
SPIA will encourage the use of evidence by different stakeholders through a multi-tiered approach. Upcoming synthesis products will focus on lessons from the SPIA portfolio, with an eye on delivering on the mandate to provide evidence at the System level. Such evidence syntheses will draw on rigorous studies from outside of SPIA’s portfolio – by CGIAR researchers and by external researchers, when relevant and appropriate.
SPIA will engage CGIAR leadership in promoting a learning agenda for the System. This aims to orient the focus towards the value of learning not only from successes, but also from zero- or negative results for specific innovations. Such findings can provide valuable input for adjusting the research strategies or for updating the Theory of Change. Over time, the longitudinal results from the country studies will add evidence on the dynamics of adoption and dis-adoption at national-level, which will provide another diagnostic on how CGIAR-related innovations help farmers adapt to changing climatological and socio-economic conditions.
Results from experimental learning studies are expected to provide evidence on last-mile delivery problems and opportunities. Evidence at the System level provided by SPIA can help prioritize future investments. Demonstration of the usefulness and practical implications of such evidence is expected to increase the demand for rigorous evidence among science leaders. SPIA will adjust its existing webinar series to engage science leaders on the new developments on IA in the CGIAR – the new series will have a stronger focus on capacities for evidence use. Visits to the centers by SPIA panel members and SPIA technical support will also help increase the dialogue with several CGIAR actors.
As a result, SPIA will be in a better position to advise the System Council on the use of the evidence for portfolio decisions. During the first years, the focus will be on lessons and implications that can contribute to increase impact in the five impact areas, including synergies and trade-offs. Moving towards 2030, the evidence will increasingly focus on impact-at-scale resulting from the One CGIAR portfolio in the five impact areas.
Approach
SPIA follows a focused approach to the Use of Evidence, meaning its role has defined limits within CGIAR’s broader system. While SPIA generates and synthesizes high-quality evidence to support learning and decision-making, its work is centered on three key areas.
1. Rigorous Evidence of Reach & Impact
SPIA conducts Country Studies and Causal Impact Studies to produce reliable, high-quality evidence.
2. Research Synthesis
SPIA translates complex evidence into non-technical, accessible formats to ensure relevance for different audiences.
3. Stakeholder Engagement
SPIA facilitates knowledge sharing through workshops, events, and conferences to promote learning and prioritization.