From May 20 to 24, DeSIRA LIFT conducted the fifth Training for Innovation Facilitators in Addis Ababa for DeSIRA projects in East Africa. Seventeen professionals from seven projects—Yayu Coffee, Women Coffee Climate, DARE, Ecofoodsystems, Climate Smart Malawi, Agroforestry Rwanda, and TAP AIS—attended the training. 

Mr. Mesha Argaw, representing the EU Delegation in Ethiopia, opened the session. He mentioned that ´engaging in agricultural innovation is not an end by itself. The best experiences, lessons and challenges obtained during the implementation of DeSIRA Initiatives need to be shared among the various actors of DeSIRA. This calls for the creation of a conducive knowledge and experience-sharing space or platform, as you are doing today. In this regard, DeSIRA Lift needs to be acknowledged, and also appreciated for the considerable effort it is making´.

He furthermore mentioned that ´ when we speak of innovation, it is also important to consider how this innovation is going to be communicated and transferred in such a way that they consider communities’ traditional knowledge and experience; and how innovation include women in the equation as experience has shown that women are very much involved in the agricultural sector, but still face significant limitations to access resources, technology, and innovations´.

Aurora Martin and Bekele Haile, leaders of the Women Coffee Climate and Yayu Coffee projects respectively, highlighted the participants’ crucial roles in strengthening innovation in local platforms. These two projects co-sponsored the training. 

The training, tailored to the needs of the participants, was delivered by Ola Dolinska and Priscila Henriquez from DeSIRA LIFT. It covered topics such as the facilitator’s role, facilitation skills and tools, and engaging stakeholders in partnerships.