PANAP CSA MEL Framework Narrative Report
| aa.contributor.donor | European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101136770. | |
| aa.identifier.project | StEPPFoS — Strengthening Evidence-Based Policy Practice for Sustainable Food Systems under the EU-AU Partnership | |
| dc.contributor.author | FARA, ACU, PANAP, EU, JRC | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-05-18T10:47:36Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-05 | |
| dc.description | This publication documents Deliverable D3.2 of the StEPPFoS project and provides the PANAP CSA Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework Narrative Report. The framework outlines the conceptual and methodological foundation for operationalising PANAP as a dynamic science-policy platform supporting evidence-based agrifood policymaking in Africa. The report explores: The objectives and institutional foundations of Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP) The relationship between PANAP, the FNSSA Partnership, and the AU-EU Innovation Agenda Systems-based and developmental evaluation approaches for science-policy interfaces Participatory Theory of Change (ToC) methodologies Dynamic Learning Agendas (DLAs) for adaptive governance and institutional learning Strategies for integrating research, innovation, policymaking, and scaling mechanisms The framework adopts formative, participatory, and transdisciplinary evaluation approaches to respond to the complex and evolving dynamics of food systems and policymaking environments. It recognises PANAP as a “double-complexity” programme operating across multi-level, multi-sectoral, and uncertain environments where policy outcomes emerge through dynamic interactions between actors, institutions, and innovation systems. A key feature of the report is its emphasis on adaptive and systemic learning processes, including: Single-, double-, and triple-loop learning mechanisms Participatory multi-actor workshops Consortium-wide learning and reflection processes Dynamic Learning Agenda (DLA) sessions Policy and innovation systems analysis Co-design of impact pathways and enabling environments for science-policy interfaces The publication further analyses PANAP’s institutional capacities and operational challenges, particularly the coordination between the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC)-led policy analysis functions and the systems-oriented coordination activities implemented through StEPPFoS. The report concludes that PANAP’s effectiveness depends on stronger integration between policy analysis, research and innovation systems, multi-level governance structures, and collaborative learning mechanisms that support sustainable food systems transformation across Africa. | |
| dc.description.abstract | This report presents the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework Narrative Report for the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP), developed under the StEPPFoS project. The framework establishes structures, methods, and processes for monitoring progress, evaluating performance, and enabling adaptive learning to strengthen science-policy interfaces (SPIs) across Africa’s agrifood systems. Grounded in developmental evaluation and systems thinking, the framework supports adaptive and participatory learning through single-, double-, and triple-loop reflection mechanisms. Core components include a Participatory Theory of Change (ToC) and Dynamic Learning Agendas (DLAs), which facilitate collaboration among policymakers, researchers, funders, and food system actors to co-identify barriers, co-design solutions, and improve policy-research coordination in complex policy environments. The framework positions PANAP as a learning network that advances evidence-informed and transformative food system policies through systems-oriented evaluation, transdisciplinary engagement, and iterative learning approaches. It further aligns PANAP activities with continental initiatives such as the AU-EU Innovation Agenda and the FNSSA Partnership to support sustainable, inclusive, and scalable agrifood system transformation across Africa | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101136770. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Fry, T., Knight, B., Somani, N., Antwi, K., & Barungi, J. (2025). PANAP CSA MEL framework narrative report (StEPPFoS Deliverable Report D3.2; FDN #61). Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2550-9657 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14659/305 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | FARA | |
| dc.relation.ispartofseries | FDN; 61 | |
| dc.subject | Monitoring | |
| dc.subject | Evaluation and Learning (MEL) | |
| dc.subject | PANAP | |
| dc.subject | Science-policy interfaces | |
| dc.subject | Participatory Theory of Change | |
| dc.subject | Dynamic Learning Agendas | |
| dc.subject | Developmental evaluation | |
| dc.subject | Systems thinking | |
| dc.subject | Agrifood systems | |
| dc.subject | Evidence-based policymaking | |
| dc.subject | Food systems transformation | |
| dc.subject | Policy analysis | |
| dc.subject | Research and innovation | |
| dc.subject | AU-EU Partnership | |
| dc.subject | Adaptive governance | |
| dc.title | PANAP CSA MEL Framework Narrative Report | |
| dc.title.alternative | StEPPFoS Deliverable Report D3.2 | |
| dc.type | Other |