1. How does the network benefit your organisation?
Each organisation, and individuals within these organisations, has their own networks in the South. APF has been instrumental in linking these networks together. There is a growing awareness emerging on which themes other organisations are active and where strategic linkages are feasible. A case in point is the meeting APF facilitated last year with some major Dutch NGOs to coordinate and provide an overview of who is doing what and where. This process shows Dutch NGOs are increasingly working together, they don’t duplicate efforts and they increasingly specialise and define their own added value.

2. Please give an example of a joint action, in which the APF network played a visible role.
A clear example is the “Gender in Value Chains” learning trajectory. Hivos and Oxfam both felt the need to develop more knowledge on this specific theme and APF picked up on this by facilitating a learning trajectory within the network. While it started in the Netherlands, the trajectory is now moving towards the South. A series of workshops on ‘Gender in Value Chains’ was organised in Central America and Eastern Africa. One of our partners marketing coffee produced by women has now gained visibility and recognition through this trajectory.

3. If you were in charge, what should the APF network look like in 5 years’ time?
In line with the decentralisation of the development sector the focus needs to shift to the South. That is where the action is. We envision autonomous local networks that are still fed by the larger APF network, but have their own agendas. At the same time, we still see a role for Agri-ProFocus in the Netherlands in managing and expanding existing knowledge and becoming a Hub of thematic expertise.

4. How will your organisation contribute to the APF network in the next 2 years?
Thinking in one-dimensional relations does no longer hold. Change comes about more effectively when working together. We encourage stronger alliances in the South and the further specialisation of NGOs. As Hivos we will further expand our knowledge on small-scale sustainable agriculture. We want to prove the business case that underlies small- scale farming investments which are based on a sound management of natural resources. In tandem, we want to actively engage with partners in the South to set the agenda in developing countries in favour of investment in small-scale farming and sustainability. In the network we will continue being an active participant in the Agri-Hubs at country level.

Contact: Carol Gribnau

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