Partnerships for Diversity (P4D)

Lead Organization:

Oxfam America, Inc.

Partner Organizations:

CIRAD: A global research organization that contributes expertise in breeding and value chain work, Oxfam Novib: Supports social mobilization, farmer engagement, and advocacy, Farmer Organizations and CSOs/NGOs: Represent local organizations and farmer associations that collaborate in the P4D initiative, National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS): Provides expertise in breeding and research, Universities: Support capacity building, knowledge sharing, and data management.

Community of Practice:

East & Southern Africa, West Africa

Duration:

1/2025—1/2026

Overview:

The Partnerships for Diversity (P4D) pilot phase aims to create a collaborative platform that fosters equitable partnerships between farmers and researchers to address systemic barriers in seed systems and agricultural research. The initiative brings together more than forty organizations, including Oxfam America, CIRAD, and local farmer groups, to promote collaboration over competition. P4D focuses on strengthening farmer-managed seed systems, fostering agroecological practices, and supporting long-term resilience for smallholder farmers. The project is grounded in the principles of mutual recognition and aims to redistribute power by giving farmers a leadership role in research and decision-making.

Grant Aims:

The main objectives of this pilot phase are to:

  1. Establish a multi-actor platform that supports equitable farmer-researcher partnerships.
  2. Facilitate exchanges and networking to promote knowledge sharing among P4D members.
  3. Strengthen fundraising efforts and build the capacity of P4D members to engage with donors and governments.
  4. Test innovative collaboration models and assess their sustainability and impact.

Outputs and Outcomes:

Objective 1: Establish a multi-actor platform for collaboration

  • Outputs:
    • An online collaboration space or hub established to facilitate communication and coordination among P4D members.
    • At least two multi-actor meetings conducted to align on platform goals and joint action plans.
  • Outcomes:
    • P4D established as a functional, collaborative platform that promotes agroecological transformation by connecting farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders.

Objective 2: Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration among members

  • Outputs:
    • A minimum of five networking events, regional workshops, or webinars to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration.
    • An online repository for resources, case studies, and technical materials, as well as at least one published case study on successful collaborations.
  • Outcomes:
    • Increased collaboration and visibility of farmer-researcher partnerships, with a stronger network and shared best practices among members.

Objective 3: Enhance the skills and cohesion of members for sustainable funding

  • Outputs:
    • Two capacity-strengthening workshops focused on fundraising, proposal writing, and donor engagement.
    • At least one joint funding proposal developed and submitted by P4D members.
  • Outcomes:
    • Improved capacity of P4D members to secure long-term funding and engage effectively with donors and governments.