Visioning RiPPLE as a knowledge network

Phase 4: Scaling up learning, sharing and coordination?

Preamble: why L-S-C?

• Learning: See the KVC– Improve efficiency (inputs, activities,

outputs)– Improve effectiveness: Be relevant

(outcome, impact)

• Sharing:– Social learning is more effective;– Pooling resources and achieving synergies

• Coordinating:– Improving the sector;– Helping all find their added value niche

Overview

• What is a knowledge resource centre network ?

• Typical activities• Partnership and networking• RCNs around the world• Lessons learnt• Current (worldwide) opportunities for RCN• Opportunities for RiPPLE as a RCN

• What say you?

What is a knowledge resource centre

network ?• A resource centre is: an organisation or

a network of organisations that provides independent support services to the water and sanitation sector, geared to making knowledge available to various target groups in a format they can use and tailored to specific information needs.

• A.K.A. Reference Centres, Knowledge Centres, or Centres of Excellence… not libraries! Not Ethiopian resource centres.

Typical RCN activities• Providing (physical / virtual) documentation services• Collecting and analysing local field practices and

experiences• Versioning, packaging and disseminating information• Publishing newsletters and technical papers• Training, advising, coaching and improving the

competencies of sector actors through guided learning• Facilitating multi-stakeholder learning platforms for

change at different levels• Thematic action-research on water supply and sanitation

(e.g. system/service management, effective support structures, behavioural change in San. & Hyg.

• Advocacy and promotion• Sector coordination in support of gov’t and donor agencies

Partnership and networking

Client circle

Knowledge Provider

Circle

Resource Centre

(Network)

National Water

Resources

database

Training

Institute

Academic

Research Group

Woreda Departme

nt

RegionalGovernment

CBOs

NGOs

Water Committ

ees

National Governmen

t

PS

RCNs around the world

• Ghana RCN: the sector convener around peri-urban WaSH issues

• ZA’s Water Information Network: sector coordinator on local governance

• RCN Nepal: Technical assistant of WaSH sector

• RAS-HON(duras): Sector network for local governance

• Burkina RCN: Documentation & capitalisation trainer and disseminator

Lessons learnt

• Difficult funding• Sensitive relation with Gov’t• Strong capacity dev’t & backstopping

required• Network approach more successful

but requires intensive efforts• Adaptive planning supportive to

sector coordination• Start small and expand on basis of

results

Current (worldwide) opportunities for

RCNs• Supporting decentralisation gaps• Filling institutional void and underfunded

governmental agencies• Sector coordination trend• Networking hype• Fame of learning alliances• KM, learning & sharing favours• Information overload vs. crowd-sourcing

(web 2.0)• Linkages established with various actors

Opportunities for RiPPLE as a RCN (2):

demandsWho’s talking Focus

Partner institutions

Approach

UNICEF

Sector documentation & info sharing

NGO platformsWASH prog comms strategy

SWAP supportIncrementalWebsite

MoWR research

dept.

S&H, policy, strategy, technology

KIM centre,WASH coord. Committee, MoWr / MoH

Integration W/HealthHigh quality / reliable

DfID (M. Harvey)

Info flows nat’l/regionalTVET

MoWRWB (research)?Universities

Regional

WSP

M&E, CB, evidence-based info, woreda focus

MoWrHIP

ParticipatoryProcess doc, knowledge flow, implement.

Opportunities for RiPPLE as a RCN (3):

demandsWho’s talking

FocusPartner

institutionsApproach

Water Action

WASH/ educ/ environmentCoordination

MoWR Feasibility study, regional pilot, P.D.

IDR / AAUCB in A/R, data harmonisation

MoWR/MoAgrUnis / K instit.WASH coord off.

International & sub-regional

Millennium Hyg/San

Movement

Sector coordin.Health ext. Prog support

WASH coord off.RC on HIV (MoH)

RegionalDeveloping libraries

Plan Ethiopia

Information / documentation on WASH

MoWR, CRDA’s WSF, WAE, WaSH mov’t

Free / openInternet-basedBuild on existing

RiPPLE/WAE/WASH movt

KM, info-sharing, coordination

MoWr data centre, HAPCO, Ital coop, WaSH movt, PfWS, 40MchUni

Incremental, website, regional/woreda-friendly

Any question?