Best Practices in Environmental Information Management in Africa

Market research and strategy As indicated, one of the challenges facing the EIN is the lack of visibility. Therefore a key focus of the EIN should be to develop and implement an outreach strat- egy that would have a two pronged effect: first and fore- most improve network visibility and knowledge of its products and services; and secondly enhance awareness on environmental issues and show how the network products can aid decision making, education or other purposes. This would stimulate interest among civil so- ciety, the scientific, business and political community and increase demand for services. At the same time it would compel the lead agencies and districts to report and improve their environment information manage- ment procedures. Some of the issues that could be looked at include market research, preparation of a business plan outlining key el- ements of the activities to be undertaken, branding of the network, fund raising and products such as brochures and website, among others.

and partnership. It involves building partnerships with policy makers, politicians and the technical experts from participating institutions. Technical issues can never be completely divorced from politics. It is extremely impor- tant to have the commitment of high-level decision mak- ers in partner institutions and the politicians. Cultivating this commitment cannot and should not be a one time affair. This commitment translates into marketing of the EIN and increased public support for its activities, as well as mobilisation of financial resources, among others. Low public awareness about the network translates into low demand for its products. Increased demand for prod- ucts means greater innovation and ensures relevance and sustainability for the network. Networking should also actively include working with other programmes in the same arena, so as to reduce du- plication, and enhance effectiveness through synergies. One such initiative is the Uganda Spatial Data Infrastruc- ture (SDI) initiative, under the Ministry of Finance, Plan- ning and Economic Development.

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Best Practices in Environmental Information Management in Africa