The GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource

The GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW: LEARN) Knowledge Management in the Global Environment Facility: The GEF IW: LEARN Experience Barbados October 2013 1

Why IW: LEARN? “The GEF’s project portfolio encompasses a vast but egregiously underutilized wealth of institutional and human experience. Virtually every major International Waters policy theme and every area of cutting-edge scientific inquiry is reflected in the GEF’s portfolio. Despite the overall wealth of experience and expertise, GEF projects are not normally able to extend and recycle the knowledge that they produce. In effect, the fruit is grown, but rarely harvested. ” – IW: LEARN Pilot Phase Project Document 2

What is IW: LEARN? • Portfolio-Wide Learning: (Biennial IW Conferences & Science Conferences) • • Targeted Training Workshops Project-to-Project Twinning Exchanges Support to Regional and Global Dialogue Processes IW: LEARN. NET (document repository, events, news, contacts, project • • Project Technical Support (website Toolkit/Hosting & Training) Portfolio Programmatic Support (manuals and methodologies) Outreach: (Information Dissemination, E-bulletin, IW Experience Notes) Portfolio Visualization & Results Archive (website database) Toolkit/Hosting & Training) 3

Broad Outcomes • A GEF corporate identity for the IW focal area • GEF projects moved from acting in silos to being • partners in implementation A global network of practitioners and a culture of learning and experience-exchange in the focal area 4