Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises (SPARC)

Mission

With a team of more than 100 experts specialising in agriculture, climate change, economics, livelihoods, gender and social inclusion, conflict and peacebuilding, and operational activities including research management, procurement, knowledge brokering and communications, SPARC will:

• Generate and share new research to address existing evidence gaps;

• Synthesise, curate and disseminate existing knowledge;

• Develop and support innovation and technology in FCDO and partner programmes that respond to emerging policy and programme agendas;

• Prompt debate and discussion to develop solutions for challenging issues;

• Provide expertise on programme design, delivery and evaluation to FCDO country offices;

• Develop and share evidence, knowledge and ideas through targeted research communication and uptake activities;

• Ensure policy and decision-makers can access, and learn from, the knowledge and evidence SPARC generates.

SPARC is a six-year research programme made up of diverse member organisations with a wealth of expertise. The consortium is led by fund manager Cowater, working in partnership with the Overseas Development Institute, the International Livestock Research Institute and Mercy Corps. The programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).