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This toolkit brings together approaches and techniques aimed at supporting the learning and knowledge management of humanitarian organisations, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their work. It provides a comprehensive overview of 30 tools and techniques, divided into five categories: i) strategy development; ii) management techniques; iii) collaboration mechanisms; iv) knowledge sharing and learning processes; and v) knowledge capture and storage. This guide is primarily aimed at staff working in development organisations

This is a report of the Evaluation Gap Working Group, created to investigate why rigorous impact evaluations of social development programmes are relatively rare. An evaluation gap exists because there are few incentives, and considerable resource and time constraints. This results in a costly and persistent lack of sufficient knowledge and learning about the effects of policies and programmes. At an individual level, the report recommends a reinforcement of existing efforts, with improvement on monitoring and evaluation systems and capacity development. It also calls for collective action, that should be led by a 'council', representing all stakeholders, including governments and NGOs. Core functions of the council should include: establishing quality standards for rigorous evaluations; administering a review process for evaluation designs and studies; identifying priority topics; providing grants for impact evaluation design

IK Notes report on indigenous knowledge initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa and occasionally on such initiatives outside the region. It is published by the World Bank Africa region's Knowledge and Learning Centre as part of an evolving partnership between the World Bank, communities, NGOs, development institutions and multilateral organisations. This edition outlines the role of grandmothers as 'managers' of indigenous knowledge systems that deal with the development, care and well being of women and their children. The paper outlines a rationale for involving grandmothers in community programmes based around child and maternal health, and nutrition

This research paper explores the potential for libraries to empower communities and fight poverty in Africa, through promoting literacy and providing access to relevant information. The author outlines the challenges that libraries and information centres in Africa face; and the potential that linkages with local and international partners could bring. Case studies illustrate how library networks in three countries address the challenges and serve their communities. Recommendations for library networks highlight the need for skilled personnel, partnerships, a remit to create and share local content, appropriate use of technology, and better and more responsive monitoring and evaluation. Recommendations for governments and donor agencies include creating national information policies, filling a 'coordinating' role in the information environment, investing in literacy, and expanding public library networks