1. Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) Is a Network of over 2000+ grassroots development, workers (CDWs) drawn from NGOs, CBOs as well as government departments, all offering a form of extension service in their fields of expertise. ICTs & Climate Change: Practical roles in Adaptation & Mitigation Presented at the BCO Open Day 19 th December 2008 By Raphael Marambii Innovation & Knowledge Management specialist

2. Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) Is a Network of over 2000+ grassroots development, workers (CDWs) drawn from NGOs, CBOs as well as government departments, all offering a form of extension service in their fields of expertise.

3. Core bizz Mission Vision  To facilitate information exchange among communities  To enhance livelihoods of communities through information exchange  A knowledge-driven society

4. CENTER LOCATIONS ALIN’s COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE CENTER LOCATIONS EASTERN AFRICA REGION

5. ALIN Focus on the Semi- Arid and Arid Dry lands  The project focuses on the dry areas of Kenya, semi-arid to arid, pastoral and agro- pastoralist  Areas are chronically food insecure experiencing frequent food shortages and increased reliance on relief operations  Are highly vulnerable to climate change effects

6. Practical Climate Change adaptation & Mitigation Roles of ICTs 1. Advocacy and Visibility 2. Providing technical information on Climate change & adaptation strategies 3. Providing alternative livelihoods especially for the youth 4. Enabling participatory community monitoring, reporting & lobbying to protect their environments

7. What we do Info support Capacity building

8. How-to-do it publications  Partnerships with research institutions to spread technologies that address food security.  Information support- Development of small scale-drip irrigation manual  Information on conservation farming techniques  Video – audio demos

9. Providing Access to Knowledge  In collaboration with other partners, we establish and equip Community Knowledge Centres (CKCs) with ICT equipment to enhance: – information access –Local content creation and sharing –and new skills development among rural communities.

10. The Community Knowledge Centres  Most centres powered by solar energy  equipped with various appropriate ICT tools that include –a computer, CD- ROMs, a worldspace radio, printer and GPRS modem card  3 Centers have now been connected via VSAT Broadband through collaboration with University of Michigan

11. Use of Trusted Infomediaries  These are the people who act as a source of information and knowledge for the rest of the community out of duty or social responsibility.  Are of high social standing and regarded as knowledgeable  Are trusted by communities  Live and work within communities

12. Sharing Knowledge via Farmer Forums Farmers forums organised to share experiences and knowledge farmers, local leaders, teachers and extension team attend the forums The forums offer a platform for participants to share info on various development issues ICTs will provide “virtual exchange forums” enabling scaling out of such benefits

13. We involve the Youth in knowledge activities at the CKCs.  They assist in content creation and dissemination  We are training youth on web 2.0 – blogs, podcasting, and various digital media skills  We are also training them as grass roots journalists  This improves their skills and prepares them for the job market. Young Infomediaries

14. Lessons Learned ICTS can increase community visibility and get their voices heard on difficult issues ICTs can be developed as a hub facilitating various business and information services that help adaptation ICTs are especially useful to the youth exposing them to new skills and possibilities The use of multi media tools simplifys high level research findings enabling speedier adoption ICTs are important tools to facilitate climate change adaptation mitigation

15. Thank You! info@alin.or.ke info@alin.or.ke www.alin.or.ke