IIED core support 2014-2019

In general, it can be stated that the work of IIED is extensive and that the organisation covers a large spectra of thematic areas that relates to environment, climate, and biological diversity (land rights, devolved climate finance mechanisms, illegal trade of endangered species, community conservation, food systems, LDC strengthening in climate negotiations, strategic contributions to global conventions, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity - CBD). One of the core strengths of the organisation is to work with evidence-based research at the local and national level, with the involvement of local partners, with a majority indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC). There is thus a permanent involvement and representation of IPLCs. IIED supports them to actively participate and organise themselves in different types of collective structures (e.g. organisations, cooperatives). With the use of participatory methods, IIED can then identify the priorities and concerns of marginalised groups, co-create solutions and advocate for these issues to be included into global conventions and treaties. As such, IIED also acts as a bridge between the local and the global. IIED report results based on the organisations' Theory of Change (ToC), based on four dimensions of change, presented as outcomes. IIED stresses that the first three are intermediate outcomes together lead to the long-term outcome of changes in policy and practice (outcome 4). The figure shows how the four outcomes works together to influence change. Outcome 1: Changes in the body of knowledge (pink) Outcome 2: Changes in interactions, liaison and power dynamics (blue) Outcome 3: Changes in Capacities (green) Outcome 4: Leading to changes in Policy and practice (orange) According to IIED, each dimension works separately and together to "influence policy discourse and behavioural change in a way that promotes sustainable development, with a focus on linking local priorities to global challenges." Figure: IIED’s institutional theory of change 2014-2018. Sida has decided to present one key result per outcome followed by an overall conclusion. Regarding outcome 1, IIED has for instance supported the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group with legal advice, training as well as ad hoc research and support. In turn, the LDC Group have been able to influence the content and implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement. As a result, LDCs gained greater prominence, visibility and leverage in UNFCCC negotiations. This highlight also shows how outcome 1 - changes in the body of evidence relates to outcome 3 - changes in capacities, and as a consequence, to outcome 4 - changes in policies and practice. A key result that shows how IIED's research has contributed to outcome 2 - changes in interactions, liaison and power dynamics - is the work of the Natural Resources Group related to IPLCs equal access to own and sustainably use land in Central Africa. It is referred to as IIED's "LandCam project" and REPAR - the Network of Parliamentarians for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa. In the context of this project, REPAR convened a high-level parliamentary dialogue on Cameroon’s land law reform, presided over by the Minister of Lands and vice president of Cameroon's National Assembly. Experts from Burkina Faso and Mali shared their countries' experiences with land law reform and there were lively debates about safeguards against land expropriations and ways to secure indigenous peoples’ land rights. There is growing experience with practical legal empowerment approaches to support rural people at the grassroots, secure community land rights, facilitate access to redress and address gender differentiation. Participants called for systems tools such as locally managed land conventions, local conciliation forums and inclusive national policy and dialogue, while emphasising the need to recognise and secure the rights of marginalised groups (women, youth and semi-nomadic communities) in the land reform process. Such types of processes allow for IPLCs and marginalised groups to be aware of their rights and how to organise themselves to gain momentum and shift power dynamics.   Outcome 3 relates to how capacity building, increased knoweldge and how to strategically use this knowledge, of/by IIED's target groups leads to improved livelihoods and sustainable development. One example that provides evidence on progress to this outcome is IIEDs work with Forest Farm Facility (FFF). IIED are partners in FFF, which strengthens forest and farm producer organisations (FFPOs) for business and rights, through direct financing coupled with in-country training, peer-to-peer exchanges, facilitated policy interactions and business incubation support, designed through the Forest Business Incubation book and toolkit. In 2017, the final year of Phase I, three FFPO interactions in Tanzania, Myanmar, Guatemala spread commitment toward livelihood improvements and climate action based on 262 examples of FFPO business advances across 30 or more value chains. This work has helped governments and FFPOs contribute to 51 policy improvements or institutional arrangements to improve livelihoods. IIED's work under the first three outcome areas has allowed for the organisation to bring about important, meaningful changes at policy and practice levels. This is outcome 4. One illustrative result from IIED's Human Settlements Group shows how changes in interactions, liaison and power dynamics, as well as enhanced capacities, leads to changes in policy and practice.  In this regard, IIED facilitated discussion between and provided techncial support/advice to the C40 Cities Finance Facility and Kenyan organisations working with human settlements, supporting the urban poor. These local organisations brought the Nairobi Department of Housing into the conversation. This new relationship has underpinned a Nairobi County Council application to the C40 Cities Finance Facility which could secure US$1 million of project preparation support to leverage US$20 million of investment. The proposed project focuses on supporting slum upgrading in Nairobi in ways that reduce climate vulnerability (e.g. with drains to carry floodwater away from homes) and avoids high-carbon forms of development (e.g. through cycle lanes and solar mini-grids). IIED has also created opportunities for C40 to learn about community-led adaptation and for one of the local partners to learn about designing and packaging climate-compatible slum upgrading projects. Hence, this example shows how the combination of connecting organisations, bridging barriers and simoultaneously providing technical advice allows for changes in policy and practice. In sum, it is possible to deduct from respective highlights, IIED's ability to influence policy discourse and behavioural change in a way that allows for environmental, social and economic sustainable development. The presented findings also demonstrates the importance of participatory apparoches, linking local priorities to global challenges. Against this background, Sida assesses that overall, IIED has achieved its set goals. Throughout the intervention cycle 2014-2019, based on the results and analysis of results presented by IIED, Sida assesses that the organisation has achieved its respective outcomes. Further, it is possible to conclude that the organisation is well aligned with, and performing according to, IIED's strategic goals. Sida concludes that the IIED 2014-2019 contribution is highly relevant to Sida's work in environmental, social and economic development. Indeed, the organisation covers a wide spectrum of issues, contributing to global development cooperation in the areas of, amongst others, sustainable natural resource use and management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and resilience, sustainable oceans and water, as well as equal and inclusive participation, and women's economic empowerment. Sida assesses that IIED has delivered effectively upon the organisations' theory of change, focusing on people living in poverty.

During the period 2014-2019, the total amount of funding provided to IIED was SEK 130 000 000. The objective of the IIED intervention was: Improved preparedness to support efficient and fairer use of natural resources, more equitable resilience to climate change, better economic managment, as a result of the engagement with co-produced knowledge and evidence. Per IIEDs strategy 2014-2019, "Engaging for change", its long-term strategic engagement with processes and people aims to redress power imbalances, tackle inequalities, and create fairer access to resources and services.  The strategic framework outlines four initiatives that focus on accelerating change: (1) Inclusive transitions to climate resilience and green economy; (2) International engagement for a sustainable planet; (3) Rights plus action; and (4) Fair consumption from sustainable food systems.  IIED has outlined four main goals with regards to the four initiatives presented above, namely: (1) Increased investment in locally controlled land and natural resource use; (2) Cities that work for people and planet; (3) Sustainable markets that work for the many, rather than the few; and (4) Fair and equitable solutions to climate change. Moreover, to achieve the four main goals, IIED has four research groups and two groups supporting the research groups.  (1) The Human Settlements Group works to reduce poverty and improve health and housing conditions in the urban centres of Africa, Asia and Latin America. (2) The Climate Change Group works with policy and research partners to redress the balance of power by helping poor people in low- and middle-income countries achieve climate resilience and development.  (3) The Natural Resources Group aims at building partnerships, capacity and wise decision-making for fair and sustainable use of natural resources. (4) The Shaping Sustainable Markets Group works to make sure that local and global markets are fair and can help poor people and nature to thrive. (5) The Communications Group makes IIED’s research accessible to key audiences in the global South and North who use it to influence policy change at different levels. (6) The Strategy and Learning Group provides support to the research groups and also leads IIED’s work on a number of externally-focused issues.