Lessons from Namibia

The document outlines how a consortium of researchers and practitioners in Namibia successfully influenced climate policy by acting as 'knowledge brokers'. Key strategies included aligning research with government mandates, using participatory tools like Vulnerability and Risk Assessments (VRA) and Transformative Scenario Planning (TSP), and tailoring knowledge products into local languages and accessible formats. The study emphasizes that while robust evidence is necessary, long-term impact requires sustained engagement, flexible funding, and the ability to navigate political landscapes to bridge gaps between national and local governance.

• Aligning research and project goals with the institutional mandates and priority issues of government stakeholders is essential for securing collaboration and influencing policy. The project's focus on topical issues such as droughts, floods, and rural development helped build legitimacy across national and local governance scales.
• Effective knowledge brokering requires the ability to be responsive to emerging needs and to seize 'windows of opportunity'. This flexibility is supported by non-rigid funding and a team culture open to learning from failure and adapting goals based on stakeholder requests.
• Participatory tools such as Vulnerability and Risk Assessments (VRA) and Transformative Scenario Planning (TSP) are effective for building relationships and identifying solutions. The VRA helps stakeholders identify vulnerabilities and risks, while TSP allows diverse stakeholders to jointly discuss challenges and possible future scenarios in an informal setting.
• Tailoring knowledge products to specific audiences is more effective than providing raw research. The team used a portfolio of outputs, including radio series, infographics, and translations into the Oshiwambo language, to make evidence accessible to the general public and local officials.
• The personal qualities and networks of knowledge brokers are critical to success. Effective brokers need a strong work ethic, humility, and the ability to navigate political and cultural landscapes, including using personal networks while respecting formal channels.

APA

Scodanibbio, L., McNamara, L., Angula, M., Togarepi, C., & Shalumbu-Shivute, B. (2021). Lessons from Namibia. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/2022-08/CDKN%20Learning%20Story%20KC%20-%20Namibia_WEB.pdf

Chicago

Scodanibbio, Lucia, Lisa McNamara, Margaret Angula, Cecil Togarepi, and Bernadette Shalumbu-Shivute. Lessons from Namibia. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2021. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/2022-08/CDKN%20Learning%20Story%20KC%20-%20Namibia_WEB.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Scodanibbio |first1=Lucia |last2=McNamara |first2=Lisa |last3=Angula |first3=Margaret |last4=Togarepi |first4=Cecil |last5=Shalumbu-Shivute |first5=Bernadette |title=Lessons from Namibia |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=October 2021 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/2022-08/CDKN%20Learning%20Story%20KC%20-%20Namibia_WEB.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{scodanibbio2021lessons, author = {Scodanibbio, Lucia and McNamara, Lisa and Angula, Margaret and Togarepi, Cecil and Shalumbu-Shivute, Bernadette}, title = {{Lessons from Namibia}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/2022-08/CDKN%20Learning%20Story%20KC%20-%20Namibia_WEB.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }