This webinar focused on Academic matchmaking for impact assessment in the One CGIAR. SPIA introduced an upcoming matchmaking event, where initiatives will be given the opportunity to present their impact assessment ideas to academic expertise and identify opportunities for collaboration.

The webinar then featured a presentation by Aminou Arouna and Theresa Ampadu-Boakye, shared the experience of academic matchmaking in the Excellence in Agronomy (EiA) initiative. The MELIA plan of EiA includes a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to assess gender transformation approaches and incentives on the uptake of selected agronomic solutions. To conduct this activity, EiA is developing a matchmaking with University of Tufts which has demonstrated experience in conducting RCTs. In addition, a matchmaking has started with Wageningen University and Research (WUR) for a qualitative survey in EiA. The presentation aimed to share experiences from how these matchmakings have taken shape so far.