Agroecosystem Living Labs: methodological proposal for impact evaluation

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to propose a methodological framework for impact evaluation of the Agroecosystem Living Labs (ALL). This proposal is based on the impact evaluation methodology that INTA (Argentina) designed for a variety of ALL-type experiences that are part of its intervention strategy. Specifically, INTA is working on two projects: - "Design and Implementation of an INTA Impact Measurement System for the Argentine SAB". - "Comprehensive system for monitoring results and impact as a contribution to the public policy to fight hunger". This paper presents the reflections and practical experience in impact evaluation methodological designs that arise from these projects.

The proposed INTA impact evaluation approach for ALL requires: 1. Broad, dynamic and interdisciplinary participation. 2. Flexible and fluid thought-actions to intervene in complex and continuously changing spaces. 3. To explore the problem-solution relationships between the different actors, their beliefs, interests and power dynamics (construction of meanings); 4. To co-construct the Theory of Change (project and validate causal attribution relationships). 5. To manage and evidence the processes of co-creation of impact. 6. To co-design and develop simultaneously the proposal for ALL’s impact evaluation. 7. To integrate scenario construction techniques, simulation, participatory rural diagnosis and experimental economy. The proposed approach emphasizes standardization and iteration of participatory methods in combination with more conventional statistical approaches. This contributes to increasing the degree of reliability of the information, leaving enough field of action for an open and flexible inquiry. Managing and evidencing impact of ALL(a) encourage scientific activities to cause the transformation of the reality for which they were designed and (b) form communities to address the most complex challenges facing agroecosystems. The challenges and reflections raised here are expected to be significant for the co-design and evaluation of the ALL.