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

2. 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.

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

4. 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 , Coordination from IDRC regional office, Delhi

5. 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

6. 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 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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….

12. Strategy Dissemination of knowledge
Posting information on
TWIE and ICT & Development News
Responding to specific information requests
Knowledge networks: Networking projects among themselves and with external knowledge resources through
ENRAP 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.

13. 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 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

14. Some Pictures

15. 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

16. Future action …