• CVCB assesses achievements. July saw the initial phase of the CVCB finish up. In this issue of the newsletter we look at some of the products that have been completed by the CVCB.
• Capacity building from the ground up. Reviews two projects that are running at the moment: the policy synthesis and On the Fast Track projects.
• Top five Reports. The CVCB has funded 28 projects during its first phase. While all of these projects have made a contribution to the knowledge about capacity building in Australia, we’ve had a go at nominating the “Top Five” reports based on what we have heard from you.
• Work out there. Find out some of the things that are happening out there with capacity building
• Steering Committee. Who’s on the CVCB steering committee.
• To subscribe or unsubscribe

Learning about collaboration. As part of the policy synthesis project, which is looking at building a picture of how successful capacity building occurs and what factors influence successful collaboration, two case studies are being developed.

The first case study is examining how a collaborative process between Queensland Farmers Federation and the Regional Groups Collective (the coordinating body for regional NRM management in Queensland) was established and how it works now. The project is called the Systematic Approach to Sustainable Agriculture across Queensland project. It is designed to support Queensland’s major primary production industries to bring a range of sustainable agriculture programs and services to a level of readiness and so help regional NRM groups to address priority sustainable agriculture production targets that have been identified in the regional NRM plans. QFF member organisations Growcom, Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation, Cotton Australia, and Nursery Garden and Industry Queensland are participants in the project along with Agforce Grains & Grazing. The project works across the State but has regional delivery aspects. 

The second case study describes the collaborative relationships between the Land, Wool and Water Program, being managed by Land & Water Australia, and groups involved in the program dealing with biodiversity issues. These groups have to manage a multiplicity of issues from biodiversity through to production. The case study is looking at how the collaborative relationship works and will identify lessons that can be generally applied.

The project is due to be finished in September. For more information contact Dana Kelly, email d.kelly@uq.edu.au

On the Fast Track workshops highly rated. Earlier this year 43 people from R&D corporations, agencies and private industry participated in workshops held in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to sharpen their skills in capacity building. Mentoring is an important element of this project, and we have been very fortunate to have some of Australia’s best known extension and capacity building experts come on board as mentors. 

An important part of the workshops has been evaluating what participants thought of them, and the response has been very positive.

Participants will be working on a range of projects over the next 6 months mainly aimed at improving the capacity building efforts of their existing workplans.  For some this is improving engagement strategies with stakeholders or their target audiences, for others it is about better design for appropriate delivery options, and for others their project is focusing on getting a better handle on evaluation, particularly to track progress in improving the capitals (i.e. human, social, natural, financial and physical). 

In December they will all be getting together in Sydney to review the success of their projects. 

A key output of this project is a practical resource guide to capacity building, which has been developed from projects funded by the CVCB.
GO to http://www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/hcc.html to download the report
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The Role of Extension in Capacity Building: what works and why 
This report by Jeff Coutts, Kate Roberts, Fionnuala Frost and Amy Coutts has provided a great basis for anyone involved in extension and capacity building who wants to know more about its practice. The key questions dealt with by Jeff and his team are: what currently exists in extension in Australia? and what are the future requirements for capacity building? Something that people involved in capacity building have found particularly useful is the classification of extension into five different models: group facilitation and empowerment; programmed learning; technology development; information access; and individual consultant/mentor.

To download the report go to http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/HCC/05-094.pdf

Growing the Capital of Rural Australia: the task of capacity building
One reason that this report is important is that it comprehensively defines what capacity building is (and isn’t) and identifies its importance in contributing to the future of rural Australia. For those involved in policy it also provides a guide to how institutional support arrangements can be improved for capacity building.

To download the report go to http://www.rirdc.gov.au/capacitybuilding/projects.html

Agribusiness role in extension, education and training - a case study 
In this report Gordon Stone examines the role and ability of agribusiness to support the needs of farmers. This has become an important area in the last decade as a result of the withdrawal of government from a lot of activities that it used to provide, many at no cost. This report looks at how agribusiness has taken up the challenge of providing profitable services to different industries, as well as providing some food for thought about how the private and public sectors can form alliances and partnerships to deliver information.

To download the report go to 
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/capacitybuilding/reports.html

Fostering Involvement – how to improve participation in learning 
This report goes to the basis of what extension practitioners and managers are involved in, i.e. learning and how to encourage participant in learning activities. The authors identify four main factors influence participation: the relationships between the learner and the learning ‘environment’; social and structural factors that inhibit participation; learning and educational experience of the farmer; and situational, institutional and dispositional barriers to participation.

To download the report go to http://www.rirdc.gov.au/capacitybuilding/reports.html

Small Lifestyle Farms: Improving delivery mechanisms for sustainable land management
“Blockies”, “hobby farmers” lifestyle farmers”. Whatever you call them they represent a significant proportion of land managers today, especially near regional centres and large towns. This project identifies the particular needs of this sector and identifies strategies for meeting these needs. If you deal with lifestyle farmers then this is the reference for you. 

To download the report go to http://www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/hcc.html

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Your guide to capacity building. Describes the stages you need to think about when designing, implementing and evaluating a capacity building or extension project in practical detail. Go to http://www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/hcc.html and download the Capacity Building Resource Manual

Project short cuts. Interested in finding out more about CVCB and its projects but don’t have time to read reports? Download the 20-page synthesis at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/capacitybuilding/projects.html (go to Synthesising Policy Implications project)

Factsheets
What works and why in extension. Describes five extension models that were identified based on a review of over 50 recent and current extension projects from around Australia across agriculture and other fields, as well as best practice guidelines. 

Best practice in extension. If you are designing or reviewing an extension program a good place to start is with the indicators of best practice detailed in this factsheet. 

Capacity building – what is it? A guide to the elements of a capacity project, as well as definitions of terms commonly used to do with capacity building. 
A guide to funding capacity building projects. Developed specifically for funding organisations, this factsheet describes the key questions to ask when assessing capacity building project applications. Includes a funding template. 

Capacity building: a policy challenge. Developed for policy makers, this factsheet describes the challenges in incorporating capacity building principles in policy for the natural resource management and rural sectors. 
Designing, implementing and evaluating capacity building projects. Summarises the key issues to address when designing, implementing and evaluating capacity building projects. 

Facilitated groups: keeping them fit and healthy. Helpful pointers on how to manage facilitated groups to ensure that they function effectively and efficiently. 
Training for capacity building. Describes the key elements of successful training programs as well as providing a checklist that you can use for developing a training program or evaluating how your training program measures up in relation to capacity building. 

Developing new technologies and systems. Describes the key elements of successful extension programs based on individuals working together to develop specific technologies, management practices or decision support systems which will then be available to the rest of the industry or community. 
Information on demand. Simple guidelines for developing information to ensure, as far as possible, it meets the needs of the audiences it is designed for.

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Some comments:

“Unpacking and formally recognising my skill sets was really useful. The chance to consider key competencies of the role will inform my future work planning.” Ben Hyde

“I didn’t know how I would fit my experience to the accreditation but the process made it possible and enhanced my appreciation of my skills in this role.” Simon Goodhand

“The accreditation process provided an opportunity to reflect on my skills and role as a facilitator, and this encouraged me to undertake the Diploma specialising in Community Coordination and facilitation.” Robyn Bishop

“Beyond teasing out my competencies the process identified other work related issues I intend to take action on.” Paul Francis

The Assessors Charlie Bell and Darryn Bayley were pleased that “All of the SA team enthusiastically embraced the further objective of attaining additional units required for a Diploma of Conservation and Land Management. Most were initially unclear about evidence requirements at first but were greatly empowered by the process.” 

The accreditation project that this training was developed from was funded by the CVCB. 

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• Kevin Goss (Chairman), CRC for Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity
• Jane Fisher, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
• Ruth Nettle, Dairy Australia
• Claudia Wythes, Australian Wool Innovation
• Tom McCue, Grains Research and Development Corporation
• Tony Clancy, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
• Ian Bamford, Meat & Livestock Australia
• Elwin Turnbull, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia
• Michael Lester, Land & Water Australia
• Diana Maldonado, Sugar Research and Development Corporation
• Bruce Pyke, Cotton Research and Development Corporation
• Richard Stephens, Horticulture Australia Ltd 
• John McKenzie, John McKenzie and Associates (Program Manager and Executive Officer)

Jane Fisher, RIRDC, phone (02) 6271 6498, email jane.fisher@rirdc.gov.au
John McKenzie, John McKenzie and Associates, phone 0402 018 318, email john@jmaconsulting net.au

Website
For information about the CVCB and projects go to website www.rirdc.gov.au and click on the Cooperative Venture page.

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