About
This is a pivotal time of transition for Sierra Leone as it moves from post-conflict relief efforts to longer-term development. There is a great sense of determination in the air. In many ways the country's future is being invented now as institutions are established or rebuilt - and Research Into Use can contribute much to this process.
The Research Into Use programme in Sierra Leone has its foundations in the Country Assessment completed in March 2007. Collaborative activities commenced in May 2008, an element of which was the establishment of the Partnership in Agricultural Innovation for Development (PAID), a strategy was completed in August 2008 and an implementation plan completed in November 2008.
Different RIU Sierra Leone programmes are working in different areas. PAID, the social business network comprising of various stakeholders, works across the whole of the country. It has attracted public and private sectors, research institutions, non-governmental organization, universities, civil society, farmers and farmer based organizations. The programmes have a particular focus on the Freetown, Kenema and Makeni areas.
There are two innovation platforms promoted by RIU Sierra Leone:
In 2009, following the RIU technical review, RIU Sierra Leone decided to concentrate on areas with the highest potential impact. This has resulted in the work that had been started on market access, youth and use of research being taken forward in other ways, with less direct involvement from RIU.
Key achievements to date
This is a pivotal time of transition for Sierra Leone as it moves from post-conflict relief efforts to longer-term development. There is a great sense of determination in the air. In many ways the country's future is being invented now as institutions are established or rebuilt - and Research Into Use can contribute much to this process.
The Research Into Use programme in Sierra Leone has its foundations in the Country Assessment completed in March 2007. Collaborative activities commenced in May 2008, an element of which was the establishment of the Partnership in Agricultural Innovation for Development (PAID), a strategy was completed in August 2008 and an implementation plan completed in November 2008.
Different RIU Sierra Leone programmes are working in different areas. PAID, the social business network comprising of various stakeholders, works across the whole of the country. It has attracted public and private sectors, research institutions, non-governmental organization, universities, civil society, farmers and farmer based organizations. The programmes have a particular focus on the Freetown, Kenema and Makeni areas.
There are two innovation platforms promoted by RIU Sierra Leone:
In 2009, following the RIU technical review, RIU Sierra Leone decided to concentrate on areas with the highest potential impact. This has resulted in the work that had been started on market access, youth and use of research being taken forward in other ways, with less direct involvement from RIU.
Key achievements to date
- Establishment of a strong partnership base known as Partnership in Agricultural Innovation for Development (PAID) 48 organisations have paid their registration fees to become members of PAID
- Sierra Leone RIU/PAID was launched by the Minister of Presidential Affairs in January 2009.
- PAID now has a national coordinator. It has benefitted from capacity strengthening in partnership development, strategy development and validation, partnership governance etc
- Two pilot platforms have been officially launched:
- Intensive sensitization to create awareness on the availability of research-based knowledge in agriculture and natural resources are being done by a local drama group called 'Freetong Players'
| Ian Maudlin, RIU Director, introduces Research Into Use, explains its aims and outlines the impacts the programme hopes to achieve. November 2009 (3:55) |  |
