Project Overview for IW:LEARN The GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network Dann Sklarew, Ph.D. Chief Technical Advisor December 5, 2002

Presentation Outline 1. IW:LEARN Rationale 2. GEF Pilot Phase ( ) –Objectives, Activities and Progress –Partnerships and Collaboration 3. GEF Operational Phase ( ) –Objectives, Activities –Partnership Opportunities 4. Discuss World Bank-IW:LEARN Partnership

The GEF’s Challenge On-the-Job Learning: –How stakeholders learn the basics to effectively manage IW locally, nationally, regionally, and globally? Community Knowledge Sharing: –How can experiences and innovations be efficiently transferred between physically separated IW managers?

The IW:LEARN Solution Foster a global knowledge community to protect and restore transboundary waters by: –Providing IW community-building, real- time learning and knowledge sharing opportunities –Promoting development of technical and ICT capacity among projects and partners

Pilot Phase Objectives International Waters Conferences Internet-mediated ICT Training and Interaction across GEF IW portfolio IW-related Knowledge Products Web sites and services for distance learning and knowledge sharing Demonstration and replication of successful practices

Successful Activities 1. Two International Waters Conferences ( 2. International Waters Resource Centre (IWRC) ( –portfolio-wide electronic community resource centre for one-stop access to GEF IW projects’ information and resources 3. DLIST-Benguela ( ) community-based distance learning demonstration project to build transboundary coastal management capacity

Activities in Progress 4. ICT Training ( 5. IW best practices database ( 6. Technical assistance to GEF and its projects 7. Regional technical support facilities

Pilot Phase Partnerships

Collaborative Analysis IW:LEARN Strengths: –Integrating participation and technology for knowledge sharing and distance learning –Specific focus: International Waters community –Skills and tools for appropriate-level ICT use –The GEF mandate, sponsorship and support

Operational Phase Goal Improved global management of transboundary water systems through increased capacity to replicate best practices and transfer lessons learned among stakeholders * participating in GEF International Waters projects. * Projects’ stakeholders include managers, governments, partners, implementing and executing agencies – as well as NGOs (civil society and private sector) participating in GEF IW projects.

Operational Phase Components 1.Structured Learning for GEF IW Projects, including GEF IW Conferences 2.Targeted Capacity Building for GEF IW Projects and Dissemination of Lessons-Learned 3.Technical Assistance to Countries Cooperating In GEF IW Projects 4.Testing Innovative Approaches to Meet TWM Needs 5.Investigation of Long-Term Sustainability of Project Benefits

Operational Components 1. Structured Learning for GEF IW Projects, including GEF IW Conferences Facilitate sharing of experiences and learning among stakeholders in GEF IW projects in order to enhance replication of positive experiences and to avoid repetition of negative experiences.

Build capacity and awareness among GEF IW project participants to access and utilize pre-existing information in their projects and to benefit from services and expertise from across GEF partner organizations. 2. Targeted Capacity Building for GEF IW Projects and Dissemination of Lessons-Learned

3. Technical Assistance to Countries Cooperating In GEF IW Projects Assist projects in meeting their identified technical assistance needs, providing relevant services to GEF IW projects, including those related to ICT.

4. Testing Innovative Approaches to Meet TWM Needs Test novel approaches to meeting GEF IW stakeholders TWM needs through several demonstration activities.

5. Investigation of Long-Term Sustainability of Project Benefits Investigate partnerships to sustain IW:LEARN benefits, to sustain capacity- building for the IW focal area and to incorporate GEF TWM issues into the “mainstream” activities of other organizations and networks.

IW:LEARN Contacts Tel/Fax: +1 (703) Dann Sklarew –IW:LEARN Project Director Janot Mendler –Distance Education, IW Fellowships and Team-Building Jerod Clabaugh –ICT Development, Training and Technical Assistance