The workshop is organized around discussion of four mismatches found in programs that deliver interventions, described below. The description of each “mismatch” is intended to start discussion, not limit it. It’s quite possible that the story and boundaries will change over the course of the workshop.

Topic 1: Matching Technical Quality with Ability to Pay
Technical interventions occur in environments where temperature and moisture are uncontrolled, alternative or supporting technologies are limited, and servicing is rare. The solutions needed for challenging environments (e.g., outer space) usually carry high price tags because of the need for robustness. However, because the population of interest is associated with poverty, donors and users often promote the cheapest interventions, leading to limited effectiveness. Can we find the “sweet spot” that matches physical demands with fiscal reality?

Topic 2: Matching Program Effectiveness with Individual Motivations
Programs are often driven by the desire to make a positive difference in human health, environment, or climate. However, the individual players needed for program success each have different motivations. People who use interventions may value convenience and low cost; implementers may prize community acceptance and harmony; and program officers may seek professional advancement or institutional rewards. How can these motivations work together rather than in opposition to create effective programs?

Topic 3: Matching Expertise with a Hierarchy of Capacity Needs
A pyramid of appropriate professionals with technical, social science, and business expertise is needed to deliver successful interventions. These include implementers who engage with communities, knowledge centers that identify and address national needs, steering groups that set aspirations, and academic research centers that generate new knowledge. International experts may not meet the persistent requests of developing professionals. Implementers have a deep understanding of community need, but may not know when a technical solution exists. Students have energy, time, and motivation, but lack expertise and sophistication. Can a formal but flexible system match expertise, willingness, and need?

Topic 4: Matching Donor and Investor Returns with Long-Term Success
Long-term success in a community usually requires long-term investment, including understanding community needs, establishing trust, and training skilled personnel. However, desire for funding accountability leads donors and large organizations to demand rapid returns, often within one or two years. How can the rigor required for short-term returns be matched with the need for long-term investments and success?