1. Knowledge Networking for Rural Development with ENRAP
Shalini Kala

2. What is ENRAP?
Knowledge Networking for Rural Development in Asia/Pacific Region; IFAD-IDRC collaboration
Supports IFAD projects in knowledge networking and sharing for improved impact of project activities
Networks projects with stakeholders & information sources
Focus is on strategic intervention & application of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Works with over 40 IFAD projects in 8 countries
Project life till December 2005
Basic hypothesis here is that if IFAD projects can share information better, the impact on their project outcomes will improve……
Strategy of Local, national and regional networks through
ENRAP list
Specific interest focused groups
Training, workshops, other gatherings
Direct support for 8 countries in the region (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Laos, Vietnam and China)
Planned over , Coordination from IDRC regional office, Delhi

3. How does it Knowledge Network?
Raising awareness & building capacity to use ICTs
Supporting adequate connectivity
Promoting information documentation & dissemination: website electronic newsletters, identification of web information resources
Developing local, national and regional networks for sharing knowledge, experiences and good practices
Focus on local language: Local language websites, training modules, newsletters, etc.
To build faith in the medium of ICT to deliver relevant information.
Training, workshops and other gatherings; project visits by ENRAP staff and associates. Visits by ENRAP coordinator, resource persons (eg.China),…Face-face interactions are very important whether during project visits or at meetings, workshops etc.
Adequate connectivity can be a great motivator in trying out a new tool. On the other hand, lack of it can be frustrating and could be a barrier in building demand for ICTs
Promoting use of ICTs in documentation and dissemination through website, capacity building …….
One way of tackling language concerns is hiring a local expert (intermediary??) to help ENRAP activities in that country – China, Vietnam under consideration – who have been effective in creating awareness in much less time. Focus on local language helps build effective local networks

4. What have we learnt?
Knowledge and information sharing is recognized as important
Documentation needs strengthening before we start sharing: building writing & documentation skills & a system or regular documentation
Building local & national networks helps foster a culture of sharing: way to regional sharing
Increased use of ICT tools by projects could bring efficiency gains apart from assisting knowledge management
Effective use of this tool will depend on peoples’ attitudes.
Electronic contact is an efficient way of supplementing person-to-person contact to build a network.
Much better response in the language people are comfortable with----China, Vietnam
“Piggy backing” on available ICT/telecom infrastructure available…..

5. What have we learnt?
Support to cost-effective technologies connecting rural communities may be an essential investment
Electronic exchange can usefully & cost-effectively supplement face-to-face contact
Using local language to build networks at local level has significant benefits
Use of ICTs along with conventional communication tools help maximize impact
Effective use of this tool will depend on peoples’ attitudes.
Electronic contact is an efficient way of supplementing person-to-person contact to build a network.
Much better response in the language people are comfortable with----China, Vietnam
“Piggy backing” on available ICT/telecom infrastructure available…..

6. What is the Challenge?
Trigger knowledge sharing and exchange among projects and their stakeholders
Building a culture of systematic & regular documentation
Improve use of ICTs
Provide an enabling environment: Connectivity, capacity building, national level facilitation
Generating content in local language
Raising awareness about ENRAP: supervision missions, CPMs, AWPB
Building faith is a slow process and requires a multi-pronged approach – face-to-face interactions, supplying “relevant” information, building capacity to use ICTs, supporting connectivity, etc.……
Technologies to connect communities are important as they make it affordable for poor people to access information
What is probably even more important is the faith in ICTs to help connect communities and have a significantly favorable impact on their lives

7. What are the Opportunities?
IFAD’s focus on enhancing linkages between ENRAP & projects
Recognition of need for knowledge management
Projects have many similarities, common areas of interest
Projects face similar challenges
Availability of ICT tools to knowledge network
Local language to build networks at local level
Constraints and opportunities for Knowledge networking
Poor connectivity is a constraint while “adequate” connectivity is an opportunity. The same applies to other infrastructure such as roads, power……these could all be a constraint or an opportunity
Unless and until people are convinced of the usefulness of ICTs for development, their usage will be low whether to access information, disseminate it, or to network. Also people’s attitude to document and share information. Literacy, comfort in using ICTs are factors once people are convinced of the usefulness of ICTs
Common issues to talk about
While good connectivity is important, face-to-face interaction help improve electronic exchange tremendously, through meetings, workshops, , e-discussions, etc. ……
Traditional sources such as printing e-newsletters for last-mile communities, disseminating information accessed through internet and disseminated through local theatre groups

8. Meeting challenges Build “demand” for ICTs
Promote participation for improved impact
Emphasize cultural & linguistic concerns
Continuously input learning results in ENRAP’s strategy
Promote research & development of cost-effective technologies
Assess initiatives to bridge digital divide & disseminate lessons
Improve awareness to create faith in the tool – through various means including supporting connectivity, building capacity, promoting local and national networks………
Involve communities, governments, private sector, NGOs, international agencies…
Cultural sensitivity and local language helps communicate appropriately
R&D needs to be supported by public funds: ENRAP can support only in a small way……..
Since the developments in the sector are young, dissemination of lessons learned is crucial
Process documentation in the form of trip reports, periodic progress reports and Steering committee meetings….

9. Thank you