Knowledge Networking with ENRAP: What can it do for the projects? Shalini Kala skala@idrc.org.in ENRAP II India National Workshop 15 October 2003, Manesar

World Development Report, 1998/99 “Knowledge for Development” “The exploding capacity and plummeting costs of communications technology greatly expand the potential for both the acquisition and absorption of knowledge, creating new opportunities for two-way information flows.” World Development Report, 1998/99 “Knowledge for Development” From the project experience workshop to ENRAP meeting – a logical extension of thoughts and ideas Very aptly summarize why ENRAP? (the reason for formulation of ENRAP) Would like to mention another very important point here – this process can have remarkable impact on the way the projects operate (improving efficiency) and their developmental outcomes.

ENRAP Background ENRAP – a learning process Strategy of knowledge networking Progress made and Challenges This presentation is broadly divided into four parts

Background What is ENRAP? What is the goal? Where does it work? A Knowledge networking project to facilitate reciprocal exchange of knowledge between IFAD projects and better dissemination of lessons learned What is the goal? To address rural poverty through strategic intervention and application of ICTs Where does it work? With IFAD projects in selected countries of Asia/Pacific Who are the promoters? Basic hypothesis here is that if IFAD projects can share information better, the impact on their project outcomes will improve…… Shyam – Unfinished Agenda….Mutual learning among projects is limited Planned over 2002-2005, Coordination from IDRC regional office, Delhi

Coverage: countries/projects/organizations Direct support for 8 countries in the region (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Laos, Vietnam and China) IFAD projects in other countries are invited to participate with their own funding Related organizations are most welcome

ENRAP- a learning process ENRAP I Impact:Recognition of the necessity to capture and share local knowledge and good practices Learning: While “hardware/connectivity” is the enabler, the spirit of sharing is the key Response: ENRAP II, Modified design with more focused goals and objectives ENRAP is currently in its second phase. Impact: Enhanced communication, ENRAP website, Developed some successful pilot activities involving village communities, project staff and local and external specialists Learning: Evaluation findings Knowledge sharing and communications between projects via email or the internet was not very extensive Coverage, ENRAP was viewed as a separate project and not as a core component of the IFAD project rather than as a separate project in itself

Some ICT initiatives in ENRAP I Website training in Singapore Multimedia guide on pruning of lime and orange trees, Sri Lanka Local language newsletter for farmers, Mindanao project, Philippines Self-help group assessment manual on the Internet in Marathi and English, India Database of regional development initiatives, India Knowledge mapping training for project staff, India Training for Internet use ENRAP website Some of the ICT initiatives undertaken during phase I which received much appreciation from project staff.

ENRAP II Goal: Improve impact of IFAD-funded projects through strengthening and deepening of knowledge sharing networks While the goal remains same, in the second phase ENRAP is more focused in its approach, targeting specific areas for improved impact. This is reflected in the four objectives articulated.

Objectives Assess and strengthen current technical networking capacity of projects Build and expand the capacity of project staff and stakeholders – including CBOs, NGOs and line agencies in the use of electronic media Develop local, national and regional networks for sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices Design and test innovative technical and institutional models demonstrating effective use of ICTs for rural development Everybody may not have access to same kind of infrastructure, this needs to be assessed and resolved Integrate technology in the whole range of project operation, implementation at all levels including all the stakeholders Local networks among project and stakeholders, national networks of projects and other collaborators and regional networks between the national networks Sharing local and indigenous knowledge too Selected innovative projects for demonstration - such as telecenters

Strategy Access Documentation Dissemination Knowledge networks Key elements of ENRAP’s strategy are:……Apart from documentation and dissemination (of grassroots innovation and best practice), what is key is access to information and opportunity to network with relevant people and knowledge resources. Clearly the focus here is on using ICTs to access, document, disseminate and create knowledge networks

Strategy Accessing information Documentation of knowledge Connectivity Staff capacity Documentation of knowledge Project stories Project visit reports Support in documentation – capacity building, newsletters, etc. Supporting creation of project websites Cycle of access, creation, documentation, dissemination and application of knowledge….

Strategy Dissemination of knowledge Posting information on www.enrap.org TWIE and ICT & Development News Responding to specific information requests Knowledge networks: Networking projects among themselves and with external knowledge resources through ENRAP email list, Specific interest focused groups Training, workshops, other gatherings The assumption is that Knowledge networks will keep the cycle of access, documentation, and dissemination going smoothly.

Progress made: Jan-July report National plan activities initiated Assessing and strengthening connectivity Capacity building for project staff National networking ENRAP network Newsletters Project visits Website Inputs to IFAD new project design National plans were drafted in the Planning workshop and some revisions were made by some later Proposals received for LAN, tele-centers, strengthening project staff’s capacity to document For national networks the lead projects were identified earlier, now resource persons are being hired for some countries – China, India In Nepal and Sri Lanka their seems to be a good interaction between the projects The e-discussion list provides an opportunity for members to network with each other, my visits to projects and also contact with them over email and phone is helping me to connect with them and to connect them with others in the list and knowledge resources outside ENRAP was provided an opportunity to participate in project formulation missions of IFAD and provided inputs to strengthen infrastructure and capacity of projects to document, disseminate and access knowledge

Some Pictures

Challenge Trigger knowledge sharing and exchange between projects and their stakeholders Connectivity, access to internet – enabling environment Information exchange among projects – content and language Knowledge networking/sharing over ICTs

Future action …