Programme Cooperation Agreement 2010 – 2011

On the usefulness of the exchange in future professional work, for the participant and for the home organisation:

On the learning outcomes and experiences so far:

“Work wise I am learning new skills. Personally I am exploring a totally new world and new culture.” (Ber- nardas) “I have learnt a lot about time management and… new skills from the team I am working with – e.g. new pro- gramming language techniques, how to produce eB- ooks, and working with Adobe Illustrator to produce graphics.” (Joel) “I have already gained valuable skills in both pro- ject design and developing of maps in GIS environ- ment.” (Neto) “The participation with the Zambezi Atlas and AEO- 3 based on research has improved my research and writing skills.” (Prossy) “Using my work experience and skills, I’m able to pro- vide support to GRID’s work. I am learning new ways of doing things in terms of project/programme man- agement.” (Sahon) “I am very much engaged…with...UNEP and to an extent also with GRID. My work with NEMA...has re- mained on a one-project basis…[and] has not made me integrated in the workplace and therefore not met my expectations” (Rannveig) “Being on the ground with regards to the projects I am working on. It is a very big difference to feel and understand what the project is really about, what local people are doing and how things are actually done.” (Bernardas) “The importance of proper time management.” (Joel) “The knowledge gained in using the GIS server to share environmental information.” (Neto) “Being exposed and working with multicultural soci- ety far from home.” (Prossy) “Learning how ICT contributes to facilitate and improve the overall management (projects staff, resources, projects/programme) and to increase the impacts of activities/initiatives undertaken.” (Sahon) “...understanding, through participation in various projects and through meeting with a number of rep- resentatives of the Norwegian donor/aid commu- nity, how Norwegian aid in Uganda and East Africa works.” (Rannveig) Most significant experience or learning outcome to date:

“I think the experience will be priceless… because I am working directly… in the fields I am planning to work in the future.” (Bernardas) “Definitely the experience will be very useful. I am learning new techniques and skills that I am looking forward to implement at my home organization. The ideas I am learning will give me broader understand- ing of how to make better use of the vast technologies available, and this will enhance my productivity and the way my home organization functions as well.” (Joel) “Skills in GIS and use of Geo server network will help in active participation of the home organization in sharing and accessing shape file data with other EIN partners.” (Neto) “The knowledge gained will help me to better sup- port my home organisation with development of new projects and exploring new areas such as green econ- omy.” (Sahon) “Absolutely. My professional interest is environmen- tal resource management in Africa. As such, a chance to work with NEMA and DEWA in this FK exchange has been perfect.” (Rannveig) Central Asia (EECCA) In EECCA GRID-Arendal continues to build on long-stand- ing interactions with a range of countries and the in-depth understanding of the region acquired by staff and key part- ners over the past two decades. The primary rationale for GRID-Arendal’s engagement continues to be its contribu- tion to strengthening the capacity of national institutions in environmental information management, with the aim of making reliable, accurate and up-to-date information easily accessible to a broad range of stakeholders in the region and beyond. Aquatic environments, transboundary water resources in particular, remain a rallying point for GRID-Arendal’s efforts in the region. These strategic resources have the potential for triggering regional conflict and confidence- building measures and diplomacy are vital in the search for peaceful frameworks for collaborative resource man- agement. GRID-Arendal, acting as a regional facilitator in collaboration with others such as Zoï Environment Network (see box), applies a range of communication tools and strategies to help build regional cooperation 9.2 Eastern Europe, Caucasus and

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