weadapt-2014-learning-across-locales-organizations-330188f4233bc60c.pdf

The document outlines the evolution of weADAPT from its 2007 launch as wikiADAPT, detailing the transition from a simple wiki to a sophisticated knowledge platform. It highlights the critical role of trust, long-standing relationships, and face-to-face engagement in overcoming barriers to knowledge-sharing. Key technical improvements discussed include semantic tagging for better searchability, a user-friendly editing interface, and the creation of the Google Earth Adaptation Layer for spatial case studies. The authors argue that a successful platform must move beyond simple information supply to support actual decision-making through tools and a distributed ownership model involving expert Knowledge Partners.

• Early efforts to encourage knowledge-sharing revealed significant barriers, including user time constraints, lack of technical skills, and a desire to maintain ownership of knowledge.
• The Frontline Knowledge Explorer (FKx) experiment in 2009 demonstrated that contributions are primarily driven by existing trust and shared visions rather than publicity or the perceived quality of an idea.
• To increase visibility and accreditation, weADAPT implemented semantic tagging and made organizational logos central to content, which improved search engine rankings and encouraged collaboration.
• The platform developed the Google Earth Adaptation Layer and a Google Maps option to present place-based case studies visually and improve accessibility in low-bandwidth areas.
• A distributed model of collaboration was adopted where recognized expert organizations, such as CIFOR for the Forests and Climate Change theme, manage specific spaces to ensure sustainability and quality.
• Face-to-face 'user labs' conducted in 2011-2012 were essential for identifying non-intuitive functionality, such as search results and the visibility of the Google Translate button, which were not apparent to developers.
• The platform aims to support decision-making rather than just providing information by offering tools like the Climate Adaptation Options Explorer (ADx) and knowledge elicitation tools (KnETs).
• Financial sustainability remains a challenge, as many similar initiatives fail after initial project funding ends; weADAPT addresses this through institutional support and a shared ownership model.

APA

Smith, B., Bharwani, S., Taylor, A., Rastall, M., Besa, M. C., & Devisscher, T. (2014). weadapt-2014-learning-across-locales-organizations-330188f4233bc60c.pdf. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/weADAPT-2014-Learning-across-locales-organizations.pdf

Chicago

Smith, Ben, Sukaina Bharwani, Anna Taylor, Michael Rastall, Mnica Coll Besa, and Tahia Devisscher. weadapt-2014-learning-across-locales-organizations-330188f4233bc60c.pdf. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2014. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/weADAPT-2014-Learning-across-locales-organizations.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{smith2014weadapt2014learningacrosslocalesorganizations330188f4233bc60cpdf, author = {Smith, Ben and Bharwani, Sukaina and Taylor, Anna and Rastall, Michael and Besa, Mnica Coll and Devisscher, Tahia}, title = {{weadapt-2014-learning-across-locales-organizations-330188f4233bc60c.pdf}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2014}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/weADAPT-2014-Learning-across-locales-organizations.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }