ABSTRACT
Abstract Two Dutch agencies, one responsible for research (NWO/WOTRO) and the other for international cooperation (MoFA/DGIS), recently established a new knowledge, research and innovation programme in the area of ‘Conflict and Cooperation over Natural Resources’, otherwise known as CoCooN. The first set of projects funded by CoCooN is currently underway. This chapter elaborates on the approaches pursued, the design process and the structure of the programme, which aims to contribute to innovation in science as well as developing policy and practice. The authors highlight considerations, expectations and principles, describing the programme’s strategic value of creating linkages between different types of knowledge, formal and informal, based on the science and development practice that originates from scientific institutions and development agencies. One expectation is the capacity to better shape the collaboration between research institutions, non-governmental organisations and public institutions, and to do so on equal footing. Other expectations are to put in place functional mechanisms enhancing responsiveness to policy demands, improving knowledge sharing and capacity development (at project and programme level), and strengthening communication and stakeholder engagement. The authors discuss these expectations and related design principles based on preliminary experiences within the programme.
