Prospectus

A place to share game-changing work. A space to innovate within. An action-orientated network.

A four-day programme to be held at Queen’s College, Oxford University

ACTIONLAB 03.04.1107.04.11

“I TRULY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO ENTER INTO A NEW ERA FOR US AND OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE ERA OF DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN WHICH WE ALL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE IMPACTS IN ALL COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE RICH ONES. THIS WILL PROFOUNDLY CHANGE THE ENTIRE WORLD, WITH THE ECONOMY TRANSFORMED TO A POST FOSSIL-FUEL ERA.”

SALEEMUL HUQ, IIED and ICCCAD

>ACTIONLAB Context:

The CDKN Action Lab is a cutting edge, action-orientated programme focused on strengthening the relationship between action and policy at the intersection of climate change and development.

During our time together we aim to catalyze knowledge sharing, articulate policy lessons based on successful innovation, develop new collaboration and broker action.

We have identified 5 broad themes that will be explored during the course of Action Lab:

> Building governance & policy approaches for climate compatible development

> Forging public-private and/or multi-sectoral partnerships

> Engineering Climate Finance & Market Mechanisms

> Enabling Technological and/or Social Innovation

> Using science and evidence to inform development policy and practice

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Climate change is changing patterns of innovation, trade, production, population distribution, and risk in complex ways. This is creating a new development landscape for policy-makers who need to nurture and sustain economic growth and social development in the face of multiple threats and uncertainties, while also cutting emissions.

At the same time, the private sector, research communities, and civil society are facing an array challenges and opportunities as they seek to respond to this new and complex landscape. Disruption creates innovation and necessitates the emergence of new ideas, models and approaches. Given the urgency of the development challenges posed by climate change, it is critical that the most promising innovations and responses gain widespread visibility and appreciation.

>ACTIONLAB What are the objectives of the CDKN Action Lab?

“NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD; INDEED, IT’S THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS.” MARGARET MEAD

Between 3-7 April, 2011 we are convening a diverse team of thought-leaders, practitioners, decision makers, and emerging talent to spend four days together.

We would like you to join us...

The CDKN Action Lab aims to strengthen the policy-action cycle in the space of climate change and development.

Drawing on lessons of what works, what doesn’t and why, we aim to fast-track success-ful innovation and ensure that the policy development and knowledge creation is more rigorously informed by action.

The overall objectives for the CDKN Action Lab are as follows:

1. Increased trust, knowledge sharing, and collaboration between thought leaders, practitioners, decision-makers, and emerging talent.

2. Energetic and dynamic dissemination of innovative and game-changing climate compatible development practices and policy approaches.

3. Analysis and incubation of how existing innovations can be scaled-up and replicated.

4. Evolving a framework/process for testing these ideas through a prototyping and evidence based approach.

5. Development of a portfolio of prototype projects and action-research initiatives.

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>ACTIONLAB What are the outcomes of the CDKN Action Lab?

The most common understanding of innovation is the ‘eureka moment’ when a flash of insight arrives and a problem is solved through a new idea. Our understanding of innovation, based on decades of research and practical experience, is that successful innovation is the product of the right group of people with the right idea and knowledge coupled with the right resources to bring an idea to scale.

Innovation is highly dependent on people that have the ability to respond effectively to complexity, to take forms and operate in modes that can change with the context.

The overall programme will draw on the U Process, an approach to group innovation. It will promote a culture of increased commitment, creativity, experimentation and cooperation while seeking three sets of outcomes:

LearningThe CDKN Action Lab will provide a platform for sharing world-class case studies. These will focus on the innovative approaches and solutions that are transforming the concept of climate compatible development into scalable new policy responses and action.

RelationshipsThe CDKN Action Lab is to facilitate relationships, trust, and collaboration between the participants. These connections will help form an action-orientated group and support the partnership dynamics that underpin CDKN.

ActionThe Lab is designed as a highly collaborative space supportive not simply of dialogue but of action orientated dialogue. We are seeking to develop a portfolio of initiatives from the Lab. Groups with promising ideas will be invited to apply to the CDKN Innovation Fund.

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>ACTIONLAB

Are you currently active in the field of climate change or development?

Do you have a commitment to developing new thinking, practice and partnership to advance climate compatible development?

Do you have a strong interest and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment?

Participating in the CDKN Action Lab

The CDKN Action Lab will bring together a diverse and unique group of leaders who are committed to the overall objectives of the Lab.

Who should attend?

These include leaders who have delivered game changing initiatives, ventures, and policy innovations; researchers who are committed to developing demand-driven and action-orientated approaches to knowledge creation; policy makers committed to incorporating new ideas and pursuing evidence-based approaches to policy making; practitioners from civil society and private sector organisations committed to developing new approaches and cross-sector partnerships; donors and foundations committed to supporting innovative models and approaches and entrepreneurs who are delivering on new products and services on the ground.

Applying to Join the Lab: Applications are open from 10 January 2011 until 13 February 2011 (5PM GMT). Any applications received after the closing date may not be considered.To apply please go to: http://www.regonline.co.uk/cdkn_action_lab/for enquires, please email actionlab@cdkn.org or call +44 (0) 20 7213 8774

Assessment Criteria: Of the applications we receive, 150 participants will be selected. Selection will take place to ensure diverse representation, covering roles, nationality, gender, overall experience and commitment to climate compatible development.

Costs: Participation in the Action Lab is free of charge. A limited budget is available to cover travel costs and accommodation costs for developing countries participants. Private sector practitioners, donors and UK based participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation.

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“CLIMATE COMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENT IS MORE THAN A TECHNOCRATIC ISSUE. IT IS ABOUT TRANSFORMING DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS TO FACE THE CLIMATE PROBLEM HEAD ON.”

SIMON MAXWELL, Executive Chair CDKN

>ACTIONLAB Delivery Partners

CDKN www.cdkn.org

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network supports decision makers in designing and delivering climate compatible development. We do this by combining research, advisory services and knowledge sharing in support of locally owned and managed policy processes. We work in partnership with decision makers in the public, private and non-governmental sectors nationally,regionally and globally.

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network is managed by an alliance of six organisations that brings together a wide range of expertise and experience: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano, South-South-North, LEAD International, and INTRAC.

Many of the Network’s services will be provided by collaborating organisations and individuals from around the globe. We will source the best expertise, wherever it is found in the world, helping to build capacity where needed, and fostering long term collaborative relationships.

Future Considerations www.futureconsiderations.com

Future Considerations is a consultancy that passionately believes in helping to create a sustain-able world in which all elements co-exist and develop in harmony. We see our purpose as enabling the world’s leaders, institutions and systems to evolve and to influence the great challenges of our time. We are practised in facilitating conversations that matter, bringing together people who otherwise might never have met, helping them let go of what is holding them back, and to turn their ideas into actions. We support creative risk-taking, innovation, learning and leadership.

Reos Partners www.reospartners.com

Reos Partners is an international organisation dedicated to supporting and building capacity for innovative collective action in complex social systems. We organise, design and facilitate results-oriented multi-stakeholder change processes with business, government and civil society organisations. We are an experienced, diverse, global team, known both for the practical results we have helped to create in the most challenging of contexts and for our influential contributions to social innovation theory and practice. Reos Partners has offices in Cambridge, MA, Johannesburg, the Hague, Melbourne, Oxford/London, Sao Paulo, and San Francisco.

UKERC Meeting Place www.eci.ox.ac.ukEnvironmental Change Institute

The UKERC Meeting Place facilitates national and international networking and collaboration events to bring together people with expertise and knowledge from different backgrounds, disciplines and perspectives to: a) generate ideas; b) realise synergies; c) apply knowledge; d) provide new understanding/perspectives; e) integrate research efforts; and f) produce useful, influential outcomes which effectively inform national and/or international policy-related decision-making. We are hosted by the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University.

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www.cdkn.org

This document is an output from a project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for the benefit of developing countries. However, the views expressed and information contained in it are not necessarily those of or endorsed by DFID, which can accept no responsibility for such views or information or for any reliance placed on them. This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only, and does not constituteprofessional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law, the Climate and Development Knowledge Network’s members, the UK Department for International Development (‘DFID’), their advisors and the authors anddistributors of this publication do not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.

Copyright © 2011, Climate and Development Knowledge Network. All rights reserved.

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