Module 07: Introduction to Facilitation for Development


The goal of agricultural extension professionals is to influence development change in the societies where they work. In the AIS context, this change will happen when good relationships are formed. A new extension approach that aims at participatory and group learning as well as networking, where the extensionist acts as a facilitator is needed. It is important that you, as the extension professional, try to develop good facilitation skills to increase your effectiveness in this approach..

Module outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  1. Explain the concept of facilitation for change as a core function of extension profession in the agricultural innovation systems (AIS):
    • Describe the attributes and competencies you will need to become a good facilitator of change; and
    • Discuss the technical skills needed to be a facilitator.
  2. Employ appropriate methods and tools of facilitating change in individuals, groups and organisations:
    • Use tools for self-discovery;
    • Manage group dynamics; and
    • Support organisations in continual learning to adapt to change.
  3. Design processes and methods of facilitating innovation platforms (IPs) and other multi-stakeholder engagements:
    • Apply tools for stakeholder identification and visioning;
    • Explain different models of IPs and multi-stakeholder engagements; and
    • Explain how to organise evidence for policy action.
  4. Explain the importance of brokering strategic partnerships, learning alliances and networks in fostering innovation:
    • Identify critical links to match possible cooperation partners;
    • Explain knowledge brokering and create linkages with markets;
    • Coordinate pluralistic service provision within the AIS;
    • Explain the concept of action learning and reflective practitioners; and
    • Know how to network.

What to expect

Study units
Name Total videos Total assessments
Study unit 1: Facilitation for development in the AIS 6 4
Study unit 2: Facilitating change in individuals, groups and organisations 1 5
Study unit 3: Facilitating operational level multi-stakeholder engagements 1 4
Study unit 4: Brokering strategic partnerships and networking 0 4

Click on the button below to start Module 7:

Introduction

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Explain the relevance of facilitation for development in the context of AIS;
  • Describe the attributes and competencies you will need to become a good facilitator of change by studying the basic principles of facilitation for development; and
  • Describe the technical skills of a facilitator.

Study unit overview

This study unit will help you to understand how facilitation for development can improve your performance as an extension professional operating in the context of AIS. You will be introduced to basic facilitation tools and techniques that you can adapt and apply in different situations.

This study unit is divided into the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Session 1.1: Understanding facilitation for development
  • Session 1.2: Desired attributes of facilitator for development
  • Session 1.3: Technical skills of a facilitator for development
  • Conclusion

Click on the button below to start the lesson for Study Unit 1:

Study Unit 1

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Describe some of the appropriate tools for influencing change at the individual, group and organisational levels; and
  • Demonstrate the application of some of the tools to influence change at individual, group and organisational levels.

Study unit overview

If you want to see development, you have to make the change happen. Change happens at different levels, in other words, individuals, groups, organisations and societies. This study unit inspires you to apply some tools to start influencing change at the individual, group and organisational levels. Your ability to influence development will increase when you continue to practise these tools and engage in processes of change.

This study unit is divided into the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Session 2.1: Self-discovery to realise our potential
  • Session 2.2: Managing group dynamics and working together
  • Session 2.3: Supporting organisational change processes
  • Conclusion

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Study Unit 2

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Describe different forms of multi-stakeholder engagements that promote innovations; and
  • Demonstrate the application of some tools for facilitating mutually beneficial multi-stakeholder engagements.

Study unit overview

In this study unit you will learn what you will need to know to organise multi-stakeholder engagement with a focus on Innovation Platforms (IP) and policy engagements as examples.

This study unit is divided into the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Session 3.1: Arrangement for multi- stakeholder interactions
  • Session 3.2: Visualising innovation platforms
  • Session 3.3: Policy engagement platforms
  • Conclusion

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Study Unit 3

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Explain the importance of brokering strategic partnerships, learning alliances and networks in fostering innovation.

Study unit overview

In the Innovation Systems context, extension agents are sometimes described as brokers. As a broker, you are expected to facilitate purposeful interactions between stakeholders. This study unit introduces you to the brokerage function of an extension agent and particularly in relation to creating strategic partnerships and networks for learning and innovation. It also requires your ability to manage participation, coordination and harmonisation of service delivery processes.

This study unit is divided into the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Session 4.1: Brokering linkages and strategic partnerships
  • Session 4.2: Learning alliances and networking
  • Conclusion

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Study Unit 4