WLE Engagement, Communication and Knowledge Sharing Strategy

Contents 1.Highlights & gaps 2.WLE Engagement, Comms, KM strategy –New evolving areas –Emerging strategic areas of work –Operational strategy: Integration with IWMI Linkages to other partners Linkages to flagship sites 3. Priorities: next 6 months

Key Achievements/Highlights Development of new materials: –WLE Booklet Brochure – Slide decks: WLE Overview & Investment opportunity General slide deck and business plan slide deck –Support to developing AC briefs AC flyers

Key Achievements/Highlights Support to existing materials/processes: –Strategy document –IDO/IP process –Developing revised strategy –Revised publication and branding guidelines

Knowledge sharing: –Comms coffee chats within IWMI –Development of sharepoint (see this afternoon) –Support to irrigation workshop Partnerships –Opportunity Fund – 5 proposals selected and being funded Key Achievements/Highlights

Website & Agriculture & Ecosystem Blog Ag&Eco systems blog more visits than CCAFS blog in the first 6 months CCAFSAg & Eco CCAFS 1st 6 monthsLast 6 months Unique Page Views:10,11438,34616,248 Unique page views per post:200> Most viewed Blog (unique page views) # stories ~12052 Returning visitors 57.50%36% Ave time on page 4:20 (2012)3.03 Comments250

Top Ten blog posts

Gaps/Issues Further defining the paradigm shift with stories and practical ideas Defining success stories/outcomes beyond IWMI Further developing our publication policy and strategy Finalizing SRP/AC brochures Integrating into SRP related workshops Using Blog to further discussions on key topics – bi-monthly themes starting with: –ESS & R –Moving to outcomes (IWMI/WLE/CPWF/AAS)

WLE “Engagement, Communication and Marketing Strategy”

New areas Replace “marketing” with engagement Renewed focus on developing ‘’flagship publications” Organization

Engagement Renewed focus on outcomes/impact: Engagement is a key way to integrate and ensure impact Using TOC and Impact pathway to ensure integration at different levels (global, landscape, regional)

Areas of intervention Synthesizing previous research Making outputs, datasets & information accessible Developing Knowledge Bases Management tools: Sharepoint, wiki Webinars Capacity development Workshop Facilitation Flagship assessments, publications, Blog Workshops/ Meetings Branding Material Development Website/Social media Repackaging Innovative ways to market promote program Comms & Marketing New Discourse Making Information Accessible Knowledge Sharing Embedding TOC and Ips in research processes Understanding Engagement platforms Integrated engagement at basin level Engagement & Information Development

Flagship publications: principles Publications committee: to ensure quality, consistency and long-term thinking –Quality of science should be managed by partners Flagship products –Flagship “state of” reports & books –Working papers –Briefing notes –Outcomes stories Templates and publication pipelines to ensure consistency and quality when partners publish

Organizing WLE Comms: Principles Build upon the potential of 11 partners: their capacities knowledge and experience Collaboration with IWMI –Using what is there/helping to fill gaps and build capacity –Use WLE comms as a testing ground for IWMI - institutionalize what works Use distributed/decentralized system with small, focused team at central level (requires full-time attention)

Program Level Operations Team + IWMI IKG + Core Partners input SRP Level Region/Flagship Level Overall Coordination Impact Pathway, TOC & engagement strategies Support global impact pathway Website & Information Systems Publications Repackaging Support to SRP communication Knowledge sharing between teams Engagement with events Engagement and facilitation Policy Communication Support to impact pathways Repackaging/translation Communication for impact Organization

Emerging focal points SRPs/Cross-cutting Irrigation Rainfed – CIAT/Africa RRR River basins Information ESS/R – Bioversity GP&I – Operations Support to IWMI led ones should be further addressed

Emerging focal points How to identify focal points in regions: Use of IWMI or partner regional organizations Bid out to partner organizations (like CCAFS has done) Appoint This needs to be decided

Plan for the upcoming quarter Engagement: IDO/Impact pathway development & Volta basin kick off KM: Sharepoint & webinars Discourse: Blog themes & Publication strategy finalization

Plan for the upcoming quarter Comms: AC brochures, branding and support at events Access to Information: Outputs repository Other: Finalize strategy, support various SRP workshops

Key questions Publications: –What are key flagship publication to focus on –Publication committee – who would be on/how to finalize Other gaps/priorities

World Cafe Three tables, each gets 8 minutes Tables 1.Publications: types of publications, current publications that are ready, strategy for funding 2.Articulating the paradigm shift: What stories exemplify the paradigm shift ? 3.Blog What suggestions does MC have on using the blog more effectively (topics, articles, etc.) ?