As a first step in the policy survey, a national "brain-storming" workshop was held in the Conference Hall of IBC, Addis Ababa, in June 2004. Approximately 50 representatives from 15 different institutions at federal and regional level attended (including representation from government, NGOs, professional associations and community-based organizations, among others). The workshop was meant to generate awareness of the GRPI-Ethiopia component and provided feedback to the task force members to refine the policy survey that was being conducted in the country (a report is available in the Info-brokerage pillar of PIBS).

Later on, several focus group discussions and interviews were conducted by a study team that was commissioned by the task force to carry out the policy survey. Among the stakeholders consulted in these meetings were farming and pastoral communities of Jimma, the Afar region (Awash National Park), Ejere and the Oromiya region. Additional group discussions were organised in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa with the participation of policy making institutions, the private sector, research bodies, universities and professional associations.

The products generated by the study team (background papers, reports and a draft proposal for Phase 2 activities) were presented during a multi-stakeholder workshop organised in Addis Ababa in March 7-8, 2005. The inputs presented by stakeholders during this event, together with the products of the study team, were meant to provide the foundation for the preparation of a Phase 2 proposal by the task force members.

However, during a meeting held in November 2005, the GRPI International Steering Committee (ISC) decided that the GGCO halt efforts towards the development of a Phase 2 proposal. Instead, the ISC recommended the integration of the remaining activities with those of GRPI East Africa. All other activities are now considered within the context of GRPI-EA.