Introducing CDKN and its evolving online strategy Updated September 2013
Outline Introducing CDKN Our knowledge sharing approach Our evolving online strategy Improving access to knowledge Looking ahead Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 2
What is CDKN? Mission is to support decision-makers in delivering climate compatible development Main elements: Research, Technical Assistance, knowledge sharing, partnerships & support to climate negotiators Managed by Alliance of 6 organisations in 4 continents $100m from British and Dutch Governments over 2010 to 2015 After 3 years > 100 projects in > 20 countries Demand-led approach, emphasis on engagement, participation and capacity-building Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 3
Climate Compatible Development CDKN takes a holistic, development-led, focus in all its work Our definition: Climate compatible development means development that minimises the harm caused by climate impacts, while maximising the many human development opportunities presented by a low emissions, more resilient, future Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 4
What we are trying to achieve Changes in the understanding and commitment of decision makers around CCD issues Changes in quality relevance and usability of CCD evidence base Changes in institutions and institutional capacity to respond appropriately to CCD needs and demands Changes in the quality of Changes in the quality life of for life for most people challenged most by the effects effected of climate by change climate change This is our theory of change Changes in co-ordination, collaboration and mobilisation amongst key CCD stakeholders Changes in the ability of decision makers to leverage and channel CCD resources strategically Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 5
Our knowledge sharing approach Our key audience are developing country decisionmakers, and those who advise and influence them (including policy advisors, researchers, donor agencies, other knowledge brokers, the media) Our early analysis showed there is already a very crowded information marketplace, but there are still many gaps and weaknesses A key conclusion was that CDKN should NOT be trying to set up the definitive climate and development portal It is more effective to work with, and through, others And focus our efforts on where we can make the most difference Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 6
The crowded knowledge marketplace Amongst the hundreds of websites covering climate change, there are many good sources. But: It s hard to know where to start and what to trust There are key gaps, particularly in presenting Southern knowledge We are suffering from portal proliferation syndrome Many initiatives are fragile and isolated, and lack sustainable funding Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 7
Our evolving online strategy The CDKN website is a key component in our overall Knowledge Management & Communication strategy (alongside our publications programme, media work, events, etc.) We are generating new knowledge and learning through our research, technical assistance, and work with climate negotiators, and wish to communicate this widely But we also wish to connect our users to the best available knowledge elsewhere It is a moving target in the past 3 years, technology has moved on and social media have gained ground Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 8
CDKN Website: work in progress Site went live in November 2010 and has been through several iterations since We re running off a WordPress platform - Aptivate have recently taken over as our hosting and technical partners We have regional and thematic homepages, and a Spanish language version, each with customised content It is managed from London, with regional sub-sites managed by team members in Cape Town, Lima (SPDA), and Islamabad Editorial work in London is handled by a communications specialists Martineau & Co. Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 9
Latest website iteration August 2013 Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 10
Key content partnerships Rather than trying to do everything ourselves, we ve developed a number of key content partnerships: Eldis - provide a feed of latest research summaries and other recommended reading IPS, ThomsonReuters/Alertnet and Wren Media provide media articles on climate and development OneClimate provide video content Reegle offer their clean energy search facility, which has been extended to cover the full spectrum of climate and development Content from each partner is now feeding onto our website in a context specific way so relevant material appears in each section Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 11
Some stats Around 12,000 visitors/mo 45% from developing countries 91% of respondents in a recent survey rate site as useful or very useful 5000+ newsletter subscribers (20% open rate) 2100 Twitter followers 985 Facebook likes Lessons: Building user numbers up is hard work but the hard work pays off Keeping a steady flow of quality content is key Social media are important traffic drivers (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn all in top 5 referrers Current opportunities (funding and jobs) are our most popular single pages, but the news and resources section get the most overall traffic Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 12
Encouraging collaboration between climate knowledge brokers CDKN has a broader interest in improving the knowledge infrastructure within the climate and development sector We want to encourage closer collaboration between other online knowledge brokers working with climate and development information The Climate Knowledge Brokers Workshop, in Eschborn, in June 2011, was a first step in this direction. It was repeated in 2012. A CKB Community of Practise has emerged from this and has been active since see the shared CKB website for details CDKN issued a funding call for collaborative projects in autumn 2011 7 projects were funded Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 13
Seven collaborative projects Seven projects were supported, all involving consortia of several knowledge brokers: Automated content tagging API (led by REEEP) Climate Knowledge Navigator (led by IDS) User group analysis (led by IISD) Linking stakeholders to integrated climate data (led by CSAG) Integrating global and regional portals (led by WeAdapt) InfoAmazonia GeoJournalism Project (led by Internews) Empowering and connecting journalists in Latin America (led by Ecosystems marketplace) see our website for more details Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 14
Making connections The 7 projects involve 16 online initiatives in total
Looking ahead - priorities Supporting better decision making at country level: all our online efforts are geared to assisting this Capturing and sharing learning: this is a growing focus for CDKN as lessons emerge from country experience Sharpening our thematic focus: we will concentrate increasingly on four outcome areas (climate & development planning, climate finance, disaster risk reduction, and support to climate negotiators) Putting social media to work: using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & YouTube to reach new users and drive traffic to our website Nurturing collaboration between knowledge brokers: CDKN is keen to build on the momentum of the Climate Knowledge Brokers Group Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 16
In conclusion Our thinking is evolving CDKN is keen to learn from other initiatives We can do this better, if we join forces! Key contacts: Geoff Barnard, KM Strategy Advisor geoff.barnard@cdkn.org Mairi Dupar, Global Public Affairs Coordinator mairi.dupar@cdkn.org Climate and Development Knowledge Network www.cdkn.org 17
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 constitute professional 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 and distributors 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 2010, Climate and Development Knowledge Network. All rights reserved.