Work in the first year focused on a) establishing the programme and improving ODI's understanding of the CSOs that are involved in policy work, how they work and who else is working with them b) improving ODI's capacity, especially focusing on internal knowledge management, information and communication; c) "learning by doing" through small projects with existing CSO partners; d) contributing CSO perspectives on development policy issues through a series of meetings and seminars and e) by initiating a small number of larger collaborations with southern organisations on global policy issues. Click on the links below for more information about specific activities:

Outcome 1 - Research

• A commissioned paper to map key issues, players, resources and opportunities for new research.
  
• A literature review and the development of a framework for further research.
  
• Case studies of episodes where CSO's have successfully influenced policy and reviews of CSO involvement in different policy areas.
  
• A study of how CSOs use networks (by March 2005).
  
• A study of how campaigning organisations use research-based evidence (by March 2005).
  
• A study to identify lessons from evidence-based policy-making (EBP) in the UK (by March 2005).
  
• A series of external case studies illustrating how CSOs use research-based evidence (starting in October 2004).
  
• A comparative study of civil society impact on policy (with CIVICUS) (starting in October 2004).

Outcome 2 - Regional Capacity

• The development of ethical principles for collaboration and partnership (initial draft by July 2004).
  
• A study to map existing knowledge within and outside ODI of organisations working with CSOs to build a knowledge base and identify locations and partners to host regional workshops (by September 2004).
  
• Six regional workshops to gather more information and start to identify opportunities for small-scale collaborative work (January-March 2005).
  
• An approach paper for ODI capacity-building work (March 2005).
  
• Dialogue and consensus-building with other actors (April 2005).
  
• Small-scale opportunistic collaborations work with ODI partners (up to June 2005).

Outcome 3 - Information for CSOs

• A survey of existing ODI information users and possible new CSO users (by December 2004).
  
• Preparation of pilot materials based on results of survey (Jan-March 2005).
  
• Implementation of the KM strategy throughout ODI (from June 2004).
  
• Establishment and test new intranet/ information system (Feb-March 2005).
  
• Commission external consultant to develop and implement new content-managed intranet and website (September 2004).
  
• Launch new website (June 2005).
  
• Active marketing of new information products with regular reviews (from April 2005).
  
• Workshops and meetings in the UK on CSO capacity-building issues (to March 2005).
  
• Other non-PPA related meetings that will be relevant for CSOs (Oct 2004 - March 2005).

Outcome 4 - Collaborative Action

• Programme of dialogue with African Think Tanks to feed into Africa Commission (by December 2004).
  
• Collaborative projects with southern partners (proposals by July 2004)

Management

• Clarifying programme principles, plans and management procedures (by the end of June 2004).
  
• Recruiting new staff (to be in-post by October 2004).
  
• Establishing the internal Advisory Group (first meeting in June/July 2004).
  
• Establishing the external Steering Committee (first meeting in October 2004).
  
• Developing internal KM and communications systems (by July 2004).
  
• Workshops to develop an internal community of practice (in July 2004).
  
• Establishing initial intranet, web site and information (by July 2004).
  
• Establishing an initial M&E system (based on the log frame) (by September 2004).
  
• Collecting baseline data (from September 2004).
  

Back to Activities index