Target : PfA 1.5, Target 7 - The development of mechanism to share and monitor information at transboundary level, especially on (i) scientific and social data for information systems: contribution to an online inventory and establishment of a water observatory, and (ii) indicators and guidelines for programmes monitoring the quality of cooperation and the impact of the lack of access to water on cooperation and peace-building. 6th World Water Forum Target

EXISTING SOLUTION: the solution is already being implemented and has demonstrated long-term sustainability and added-value

Key words: Knowledge, sharing, KMS, database, repository, learning, integration, transboundary, KIM-UNU, learning networks

DESCRIPTION

Description of the solutionCategory (technical, institutional, legal, policy, financial, communication, others (please specify):*

Brief description of the solution: *KIM-UNU, “Knowledge Integration and Management – United Nations University” is the name of the technology platform developed by UNU-INWEH in partnership with the Centre for Community Mapping (COMAP) as a powerful and user-friendly Knowledge Management System (KMS). The platform has been developed in recognition that often there is a wealth of knowledge and information, representing a significant investment of development funds and project implementation which is not readily accessible, let alone capable of integration. Stored in a relational database, the ability to quickly and effectively integrate this existing information via a search interface allows for efficiencies in targeting new initiatives and builds on the body of knowledge that exists. Built in to this database, a suite of communication and interaction tools allow users to view, comment and access information as a group in either real time or as a shared collaborative workspace. Integration of this learning network with the relational database of information provides the tools for the capture and storage of user-inputted information. This results in the continuous improvement of document classification, resulting in better refined searches for the next user, as well as the capture of newly created and/or personal knowledge. The platform is broadly divided into 3 integrated components; 1) a relational database for document, map, photo, video, and spatial information upload combined with a powerful database management system to locate and extract the information; 2) a suite of leaning and communication tools to both facilitate live interaction between users and capture and save imparted knowledge back into the system, and; 3) a user-friendly web portal.

As the KIM-UNU platform is developed using COMAP’s Web Informatics Development Environment 

Title of the Solution: KIM-UNU; Knowledge, Integration and Management Platform developed by the United Nations University and being shared with the World

Inited Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health

(WIDE) the systems do not require any special programmer or IT management skills to run and manage once they are developed. This makes for significantly reduced running costs and a platform any access-granted user can contribute to.

Note: Open text entry field – word limit: 300 wordsLocationWhere was/is the solution implemented?*Global - developed as part of the GEF-funded IW:Science project, the KIM-UNU platform saw the creation of the largest-ever compilation of GEF International Waters (IW) project documents. GEF IW has seen 20 years of work on 180 projects for transboundary river, lake, groundwater, coastal and marine water systems spanning 172 countries.

Note: Open text entry field – word limit: 50 wordsActorsWho had initiated the project? What were the stakeholders’ drivers?The IW:Science project is a GEF medium-sized project (2008-2011), Implementation Agency is UNEP and the KIM-UNU platform was developed by the Executing Agency, UNU-INWEH, in partnership with COMAP to address GEF IW KM needs. The driver was to conduct a synopsis of the science from US$ 6 billion, 20 years of transboundary IW projects followed by an analysis and then synthesis of the findings. The KIM-UNU platform facilitated this and captured the inputs of 75 volunteer scientists. Which actors proved strategic in the implementation? At what stage were they brought in?All IW:Science project partners; UNESCO, SAMS, LOICZ , UNEP-DEWA, CWN, ELME, UNU-EHS and  notably UNW-DPC for KIM-UNU and UNDP and UNEP for assisting with document compilation. The design and development of the platform was undertaken by UNU-INWEH and COMAP. 

Who has ensured follow-up of the solution at the local level?The IW:Science project is finishing late 2011 and the  IW:Science results will be used to enhance to use of science in International waters projects. And improve project results. 

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STRATEGIC FIT & ADDED VALUE

Problem to solveKey question your solution aims to answer (i.e. if your Solution is the answer, then what is the question) and how does that fit with the target?*

Q: How best to build on significant development investment and findings, eliminate institutional knowledge loss and effectively provide in-country capacity to manage their knowledge and set prioritized targets for development projects?

How does the solution contribute to the target’s effective implementation and attainment?Efficacies in donor spending and the prevention of institutional memory loss and competing efforts is a key step in working towards the MDGs. The KIM-UNU platform was developed to specifically serve as an online information sharing platform for transboundary water systems. Built with integrated database and communication components the platform facilitates the identification, extraction and synthesis of existing documented knowledge and stakeholder personal knowledge into the development of management and monitoring tools. 

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Added-value and cost effectiveness

What are the solution’s key outputs and what impacts did the solution have given the investment level (not only financial)?*The key output is a software platform comprising  3 integrated components; 1) a relational database combined with a powerful database management system; 2) a suite of leaning and communication tools, and; 3) a user-friendly web portal that requires no programming or special IT skills to use, but more importantly, to run and manage. Developed for GEF IW, the strength of the KIM-UNU is that the platform can now be cheaply replicated for use by other stakeholders to effectively compile and manage documents and data and integrate existing knowledge to aid in management and monitoring decisions. 

Can the solution continue to deliver tangible impacts on the long term?*Yes, impacts expected to increase as body of information continues to grow. 

Note: Open text entry field – word limit: 100 wordsMonitoringIn the process of effectively implementing this solution, what are some of the key qualitative and quantitative indicators of success over time (i.e. what would you expect to see change, where and when)?*

Existence of a centralized repository of information pertaining to the transboundary water body in question.

Improved knowledge capture and retaining of project outputs in-country. Improved project design for new projects and targeting of new initiatives taking into 

account a fuller spectrum of previous projects and other donor-funded projects. Pledges for ongoing support from countries for the sustainability of a KIM-UNU system for 

the capture and synthesis of information for their transboundary water management .

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WIDER APPLICATION

Replication and up scaling potentialGiven your experience, who would / should be most interested in this Solution and why? How will it help them?*Any region, county,  institution, commission or stakeholder who is faced with a large amount of document   information   and/or   data   spanning   both   multiple   projects/donors   and   years   of implementation. KIM-UNU has been noted as a useful and versatile KM and learning system for other   multi-country   or   regional   initiatives.   Within   the   IW:Science   system   6,000   documents containing nearly 10 million words can be searched in under 1 second. This powerful function allows information and material of interest to be identified quickly and easily. Advanced searches using either a map interface or prescribed metadata fields such as country, date, agency and so on are also useful search options. Scaling up to a much increased number of documents has been assessed and is entirely feasible. 

In what context do you think this solution could / would work best and why?*Where a pre-existing commitment to share and integrate information for the better management of a transboundary water resource is in place, such as the Lake Victoria Basin Commission. 

Given your experience, what would be needed to upscale this solution, for example to a political or/and a regional level ?*The technical platform can be scaled up as needed. The buy-in and support from each involved country at the national, regional or local level, depending on the nature of the information, is 

required. Training of those in charge of the running and management of the KIM-UNU system, such as a representative from each partner/stakeholder, is required but no special IT or technical skills other than basic computer literacy is needed. A simple step by step manual is also provided. 

Note: Open text entry field – word limit: 300 wordsKey lessons learntWhat tips and guidance (dos and don’ts) would you give to others interested in applying this solution in their own context?*Contact us! We would be more than happy to answer questions and make sure people learn from both the mistakes and success when developing the platform.  

What is the minimum investment necessary (in terms of human resources, time,energy, infrastructure, financial resources, political will, etc.) in order to effectively implement thissolution?*

Highly dependent on scale. KIM-UNU platform itself can be replicated with minimal cost.

What are the main factors of success that you wish to emphasize?*

The innovation in the development of the KIM-UNU platform to not require special IT and programmer skills to be run and managed. The highly powerful information storage and retrieval tools combined with learning and communication tools are now available at a fraction of the cost that development or tailoring of a system from the ground up would be. 

For the first time, the GEF International Waters portfolio was able to conduct, in additional to the IW:Science synopsis, analysus and synthesis process’,  a text search of all their available documents for transboundary hypoxia relevant information and findings. Without the KIM-UNU powered IW:Science platform this had not before been possible. 

The new and exciting replication potentials that are being discussed and what else is on the horizon. 

Note: Open text entry field – word limit: 400 wordsExisting commitmentsHave some organisations/institutions/committees already committed to implement or replicate this solution?*

The KIM-UNU platform is in various stages of agreement signature, trial systems and discussions for its replication and re-application to other bodies of information with: UN-Water and UNW-DPC (implementation between the 26 UN-Water member institutions for all transboundary water matters); the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (implementation between Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda & Burundi); “Knowledge from Land” (implementation of institutions concerned with global desertification); UNU-INRA for threatened and negelcted lakes in West and Central Africa, and; the management of Hima areas for conservation and natural resource use across 21 countries in the West Asia - North Africa region.

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CONTACT*

Key contact institutionWhere can people go for more information, help or advice on this solution?*Details of the contact person* (e.g. name, address, e-mail or phone number)

Andrew DansieResearch Fellow, Freshwater Ecosystem ProgrammeUnited Nations UniversityInstitute for Water, Environment and HealthUNU-INWEH175 Longwood Rd S, Suite 204 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8P 0A1Tel: +1 (905) 667-5497Fax: +1 (905) 667-5510E-mail: dansie@inweh.unu.eduUNU-INWEH at http://www.inweh.unu.edu

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Supporting materialhttp://projects.csg.uwaterloo.ca/inweh/ http://www.inweh.unu.edu

Website, Video, podcast, report, PowerPoint presentation, photo album, creative support, etc: please do not hesitate to send us as attachment to this template any supporting material to be circulated about your solution!

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