The EIS ProgramThe EIS ProgramProgram onEnvironmental Information Systemsin Sub-Saharan AfricaA multi-donor sponsored initiative to build capacity for managing environment information

BY JACOB GYAMFI-AIDOOCO-ORDINATOR

Environment Information SystemsEnvironment Information Systems Defined as “the institutional and technical framework,

essential for improving the flow and use of information in environmental management.”

The framework includes:StrategiesPolicies and proceduresCore data sets and data management toolsCommunication and networking mechanisms

Program FeaturesProgram Features Adoption of a common approach for each

participating country Strong local participation and consensus-building Focus on the development of human resources Problem-focus within a clearly defined policy

framework Building upon existing national data systems Strong donor participation and co-ordination

CoverageCoverageEIS Program

SADC/RRSU

South Africa (NSIF)

IGAD (RIIS)

REIMP

AchievementsAchievementsThe main achievements of the EIS Program include: Awareness creation Contributing to knowledge through country

case studies Promoting data standardisation and

harmonisation Promoting the concept of shared data

resources at the national level Networking

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

DA

TA

FIE

LD

INF

OR

MA

TIO

N

DE

CIS

ION

S

T E C H N O L O G Y

Lessons LearntLessons Learnt Adoption of the distributed (enterprise GIS) model

Common data infrastructure Custodianship of data

Long-term perspective, founded on consensus building

Framework approach

Principles and norms

Standards

Data HarmonisationData Harmonisation

Networking and co-ordinationCountry-At-A-Glance data sets

Ghana (completed) Côte d’Ivoire (under construction) Uganda (interest expressed)

RRSU CD-ROMHarmonised data set for SADC

ChallengesChallenges

Remaining relevant to the changing needs of countries, sub-regions and Africa as a whole

Shifting from project-orientation to responding to strategic policy frameworks

Supporting countries in meeting their global obligations (conventions, etc.)

Building linkages and synergy among initiatives

Adapting to changes in information technology

Future PerspectivesFuture Perspectives Incorporation

Pan-African NGO (EIS Network)

Strategy Partnership

Services to members and partners

Facilitation, geo-information brokerage and leveraging

Support for studies or policy-research

Effective networking

CoordinatesCoordinates

The EIS Program,c/o CSIR-Environmentek,Building 33, Room N254,P.O. Box 395,Pretoria 0001Republic of South Africa

Tel: +27-12-349 1068Fax: +27-12-349 2080Em: eis.program@mweb.co.zaURL: http://www.grida.no/prog/global/eis-ssa/