How to Submit A Trending Topic EVENT OVERVIEW The FIELD-Support LWA has been one of USAID’s primary mechanisms for facilitating broad-based learning through programs to reduce poverty and promote sustained, equitable growth. For the last nine years, FIELD-Support, led by FHI 360 and implemented by a team of 25 partners, has worked in more than 40 countries to advance the frontiers of practical knowledge through to through microenterprise development, microfinance, value chain development, institutional and human capacity-building, and promotion of other market-based approaches, working in close collaboration with the USAID/Micro-enterprise and Private Enterprise Promotion (MPEP) Office in Washington DC, USAID Missions and Operating Units, and the broader community of development practitioners. The Advancing The FIELD event is designed to be a different type of conference, one that will not only reflect on the learnings of the last nine years and how they have informed emerging trends, but also draw from what we’ve learned to introduce new ways of framing today’s complex development problems. Presenters and participants will be invited to challenge current assumptions and rethink traditional approaches in order to define better pathways out of poverty for the poor and transform the systems in which they live. To support the program, FHI 360 is inviting partners to submit innovative proposals to present that will disrupt thinking, processes and approaches. THE SUBMISSION PROCESS All submissions must be made online. The following steps make up the submission parameters of the online process. Step 1 Title Enter a title for your proposal which does not exceed 15 words. Step 2 Tracks There is no limit on the number of tracks for which you can submit a proposal, however we do request one proposal per track. Be sure to read the track details carefully in order to have a full understanding of the track theme. Step 3 Topic Description Write a brief description about what your presentation will address. Your description should not exceed 250 words. Step 4 Presenation Format Consider a presentation format that will engage your colleagues in discussion and learning beyond the simple dissemination of information. Each 90-minute session may follow one of these formats, or you may suggest an alternative format. Please explain the key-takeaways for attendees; how will this presentation contribute to enhancing the understanding of the audience about effective methods in economic development. Panel Presentation These sessions are opportunities to share topics of community interest through an innovative, thought-provoking format that encourages audience participation. Remember that panels can follow many different formats, including round robin, all Q&A, point-counterpoint on controversial topics or flipped sessions with prerequisite participant preparation. Presenters will be required to focus on ideas and methods, not on projects and activities. Practitioner Workshop These sessions will focus on presenting and discussing development challenges and offering participants with tools and resources to address those challenges. Proposals for sessions may focus on frameworks, alternative models, tools and toolkits, and practical how-to’s on economic programming interventions within the selected theme. Ignite Learning Session Multiple speakers presenting at a rapid-fire pace followed by concise Q&A to deliver several key messages in the allotted time and maximize the delivery and exchange of ideas. In these sessions it is important to have a tight schedule that participants commit to and stick with in order to keep the energy levels of the discussions high, while allowing for participants to process key take-aways. Suggest A Format You can propose something new and creative. The FIELD-Support team welcomes proposals that experiment with new ways to engage the practitioner audience. Again, formats should highlight ideas, methods, innovations, and not focus on projects and activities. Note that you may be invited to present in formats other than the one you selected or those noted in the proposal submission form, or you might be invited to co-present with others who have proposed similar topics. Step 5 Presenter Short Bio(s) Names and bios of proposed presenters or moderator not to exceed 200 words. If you have a co-presenter(s), only one person should submit the proposal on behalf of the presentation team. Please limit your presentation team to a maximum of three total co-presenters per proposal. Step 6 Video Snapshot All submissions are required to include a 2-3 minute video in which the presenter(s) summarize: • The topic of the session • The format of the session (how will the message be delivered, and how is the format innovative) • The key take-aways for the audience The video does not need to be professionally made, but should include the presenter speaking into a web camera, camera phone or any digital recording device. You can either upload a video file or a link to the video snapshot. VIEW A VIDEO SAMPLE TRACK DETAILS Social Safety Nets and Beyond: What Works in Building The Economic Resilience of Vulnerable Populations This track will focus on what works and what does not in supporting vulnerable populations—including the very poor, rural households, the food insecure, children and youth, people affected by HIV/AIDS, and other marginalized populations—strengthen their livelihoods, household resilience, and economic well-being. Value Chains and Beyond: Systemic Approaches to Building Stronger Markets Recognizing that the lives of the poor are subject to the functions of the systems around them, this track will focus on how various approaches can enhance the development of dynamic markets as systems, determining leverage points for change that can impact both the individual actors, as well as the system within which they operate. Financial Services and Beyond: Towards Inclusive Finance and Client-Centered Approaches This track will focus on fostering financial systems that are demand-driven, reach disenfranchised populations, and protect consumer rights. The sessions will cover new technologies, trends, and good practices for finance provision that is integrated into development programs. Vocational Skills Training and Beyond: Bridging the Divide for Market-Driven Workforce Development and Entrepreneurship This track will focus on bridging the critical gap between education and employment or entrepreneurship by focusing on both supply and demand of skills, and systemic change to how trainers, government, employers and job-seekers get information and make decisions in the labor market. Other: Suggest a Theme Partners are invited to propose ideas for sessions under other themes that may not be captured in the above that focus on evidence-based methods to engage stakeholders, promote private sector growth, and reduce extreme poverty through sustainable economic development approaches ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Proposals will be selected to ensure the conference program offers a dynamic learning experience for participants and presents topics that are noncommercial, diverse, objective, and advance the learning around the specified themes. Select sessions may be identified to include live-streaming for remote audiences. Please note that selected presenters will be responsible for covering any expenses related to presenting at the conference. • All proposal(s) must be submitted online by June 23rd, 2014. • If you need to revise your proposal once it has already been submitted, you must do the submission process again and put the word “EDITED” and the current date at the end of the title, for example: TITLE (EDITED 6/8/14). • The submission process is competitive and FHI 360 reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal at their discretion. All submitted proposals are the property of FHI 360 and its partners. • Do not email submissions directly to FHI 360 staff or partners. Your submission must be completed online and all other forms of submittal will not be accepted. • Do not include reference lists or bibliographies. PRESENTATION RESOURCES FHI 360 will provide audio-visual aids and video equipment to support your presentation at the conference, within reason. If your submission is accepted for the final program, you will be asked to complete an audio-visual request form to notify us of your technical needs for your presentation. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Please be prepared to provide materials and audio-visual information if your proposal is accepted. File copies of all workshop materials submitted will be retained by FHI 360. If you are accepted to present, you are responsible for registering yourself for the conference and making your own travel and lodging arrangements. DATES TO REMEMBER What’s Trending Submissions Deadline Registration Opens What’s Trending Submissions Notifications Online Registration Deadline June 23, 2014 (5:00pm EST) June 23, 2014 July 7, 2014 September 1, 2014 (11:59pm EST) CONTACT For questions about the submittal process, contact Juliene Heaney at (202) 697-9031.