The HSRC is building an evidence platform for the Integrated Rural Development Sector Strategy (IRDSS) of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD). After completing its first quarter milestone in July, the 18-month project has fast-tracked rollout preparations for evidence-informed rural policy interventions.

A critical quarterly milestone was to explain how the HSRC plans to practically implement the project to officials responsible for rural development in seven districts located in seven provinces. Project leaders at the national DLRRD office co-hosted the July virtual meet-and-greet session. Many district and provincial officials participated in this roadshow kickoff, beginning a series of local sessions to embed forthcoming research activities in targeted sites.

Participants welcomed this preparatory briefing and raised critical questions, highlighting the urgent need to expand the IRDSS evidence platform beyond the current seven districts. Key discussions also pivoted on supporting the HSRC research teams in the districts, as well as clarifying stakeholder departments’ roles in IRDSS data collection.

According to the HSRC workplan, this preparatory briefing was the first of seven steps, as pictured in Figure 1 below. It paved the way for establishing stakeholder collectives and information hubs in each district to support field researchers. Each visit should forge resilient networks that yield lasting benefits for the co-creation of an evidence platform for the IRDSS.

Figure 1: Seven steps to ‘negotiate entry’ and prepare for IRDSS data collection

Click here for more information about the IRDSS project.