Griffin is a partnership of natural resource management and community development professionals.

They work with governments, communities and the private sector to manage natural capital- the ecosystems and natural resources that provide food, fresh water and the livelihoods of millions.

They work in Australia and internationally.

They are interested in:

• Markets for natural capital and drivers of sustainable development
• Innovation for climate-resilient livelihoods
• Opportunities for cleaner, more efficient food production and value chains

Griffin is a small team. They work collegiately with other teams, bringing a wide range of skills and experience to the challenges of development at all scales.

They are:

• -Knowledge brokers – communicating complex science to ordinary people
• -Natural capitalists – developing markets and investment in sustainable food production systems
• -Strategists – providing analysis and advice on public policy and investment in food and water security and climate adaptation
• -Networkers - bringing together skills and knowledge with policy makers, movers and shakers

They specialise in:

• -Strategic planning and design of public and private investment programs in natural resources management
• -Reviews and evaluations of national and regional investment programs in natural resources, food and water sectors
• -Participatory planning and testing of sustainable and adaptive livelihood options at grass roots level
• -Hands on development and testing of new ideas and innovation in natural resource management
• -Brokering and communicating knowledge to inform the public, policy makers and politicians

Specialist services to the Australian aid program

In 2013, Griffin was selected for four selective expert panels for services under the aid program:

• -Strategic Programming
• -Operational Design
• -Climate Change and Environment Services
• -Monitoring and Evaluation Services

Natural Resource Management Projects:

An environment strategy for Australian aid

Dr Kate Duggan led the development of the aid program strategy Building resilience, sustaining growth: An environment strategy for Australian aid. The strategy, launched by Ministers Downer and Turnbull at Parliament House in August 2007, set out a whole-of-government investment program to develop forest carbon initiatives in Asia- Pacific, and to fund climate science and adaptation programs in the Pacific.

Climate Change Adaptation Initiative

From 2009 to 2011, Kate was a member of design teams for Australia’s AU$50 million International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative adaptation program, and in 2012 was a member of the independent assessment panel for the Australian community based climate change action grants program. In 2012, she was engaged as a design consultant for the design of community climate change projects in the Pacific and East Timor.

Climate change plans for Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia

Between 2008 and 2013, Kate was engaged by country programs in the Philippines (2011), Indonesia (2012) and Vietnam (2011) to lead multidisciplinary teams in analyses and strategic planning for future investment in climate change in these countries. Each of the projects involved extensive in-country analysis and consultations with partner governments, donors and civil society groups.

Climate change investment in Vietnam

The strategic planning in Vietnam, led to her engagement in design of AU$15 million dollar Australian investment in Vietnam’s Support Program for Responding to Climate Change (2013-15). Following this, Kate was commissioned as the Australian team leader for an evaluation of a major adaptation project (AU$23 million) in the Mekong Delta, implemented by the German government aid company.