Designing, facilitating and supporting multi-stakeholder innovation processes
Many development processes involve people meeting, sharing, planning, reflecting, discussing and deciding together. Through these events people get inspired, critical choices are made, momentum is gained, and innovations emerge. Complex issues often entail long-term processes of deliberation and analysis, involving different stakeholders – from government, civil society organisations and the private sector. Multi-stakeholder events and other activities are carefully designed to make progress towards achieving development goals, overcoming differences of interest.
Interactive processes
CDI designs highly interactive processes with clients for multiple purposes, to:
- create better understanding about development issues or between stakeholders
- develop innovative solutions to problems, supported by the largest possible number of stakeholders
- share, reflect and learn together about practices that improve planning and action
Facilitation
Facilitating interactive processes and events requires professional skills and experience. It is the art of guiding groups to manage the diversity that emerges as a result of differences in power and interests as people work towards mutual understanding and common goals.
Building capacity
CDI provides both process design and facilitation services. It also builds capacity in individuals, groups and organisations so that they can design and facilitate interactive multi-stakeholder processes themselves.
CDI uses appropriate and creative methodologies and tools such as open space, world café, and rich pictures.
Process Design & Facilitation in Practice Examples
Agri-ProFocus country programmes 2009-2011
Agri-ProFocus is a network of Dutch organisations working on farmer entrepreneurship and market access in developing countries. In Rwanda, Zambia, Niger and Uganda CDI designs and facilitates multi-stakeholder processes that bring together Dutch and local organisations, enabling collaboration along different value chains or themes, such as financial services. |
Developing a Wetland Centre for Turkey 2007-2010
Turkey’s wetland areas are drying up as more and more water is diverted for agriculture. Wetland management is complicated because of the many parties involved, often with conflicting interests. CDI conducted a feasibility study on establishing a supportive institutional setting for the wise use of wetlands in Turkey. In 2010 the final report will be discussed at a workshop with stakeholders, and a plan of action will be formulated. |
