Knowledge management to connect and strengthen people?s capacities in Latin America

Résumé

Knowledge development and brokering have been introduced at the heart of SNV?s strategic plan (2000-2006 and 2007-2015; SNV 2000; SNV 2007) in order to enhance the effects and impact of its work with local clients (about 2300 word wide and 500 in Latin America). Knowledge management in SNV Latin America (SNV-LA) was implicitly introduced by SNV in 2004 when so called knowledge networks were started. Knowledge networks have developed as platforms for practitioners that share and develop knowledge directly related to capacity strengthening in client organisations and the strengthening of local institutional platforms. This article describes knowledge development and brokering processes and activities of one of the regional SNV-LA knowledge networks (around the subject ?Market Access for the Poor?), with regard to: organising and focusing network activities on the results and impact of our practice; identification of knowledge products; developing institutional partnerships; tools for knowledge management; and lessons learned by SNV, by partners and impact on clients. The experiences in this network are representative of experiences of the other four knowledge networks in SNV-LA. Based on the conclusion that knowledge management in SNV-LA (as well as SNV world-wide) has been effective with regard to connecting practitioners, brokering knowledge for clients, knowledge sharing and generating knowledge products as a result of collaboration and partnering, it is also a learning process towards a fully institutionalized way of working, projected for 2008. Over time, the regional knowledge team will be consolidated, dedicated to the development of knowledge products and intellectual property to enhance SNV-LA?s services to clients, partners and the development sector.