MOBILISING AFRICAS POLICY-RELEVANT BIODIVERSITY DATA JRS Symposium, Dar es Salaam 3 June 2015, Russell Galt Mobilizing Africas policy-relevant biodiversity data Develop a strategy for data mobilization Enhance regional capacity Strengthen regional engagement Donor: JRS Biodiversity Foundation Timeframe: October 2013 to August 2015 (22 months) Fostered strategic approach Identified barriers, solutions & training needs Expanded network & heightened awareness Organised a high-profile conference Regional Declaration & Plan of Action Leveraged resources to sustain momentum Successes Toolkit underway Toolkit for mobilizing policy and decision-making relevant biodiversity data Section A: Determining policy-relevant biodiversity data Section B: Managing & disseminating biodiversity data Section C: Academic curricular materials Setting priorities for data mobilization & mapping institutional landscapes Aquatic biodiversity in Guinean Highlands Edible insects in Zimbabwe GMOs in Malawi Poached species in Botswana Mountain biodiversity products in Madagascar Medicinal plants in Tanzania Fisheries data in Mauritania Constraints Faulty systems & lack of data management skills Poor communication & unclear rationale Ownership concerns and weak incentives No compensation for data sharing! The data is still in analogue form Insufficient financial & human resources; poor government budgeting Tools, technology and training I need help with: Data management Data capture Data digitization Data quality Data publishing Data modeling We require training on: Project management Communicating BI Scientific writing Proposal writing We also need training on: Negotiation Lobbying for data sharing Stakeholder engagement Training workshops Mobilising Africas Biodiversity Data What about the policymakers? Objectives: Raise awareness of biodiversity data for sustainable development Showcase relevant tools, resources & learning networks Compile regional Plan of Action & proclaim a Declaration What do we need to do? Vision Goal 1Goal 2Goal 3Goal 4 Objective Priority action Project concept Consortium Funding opportunities Relevant / related initiates Plan of Action Declaration on Biodiversity Information for Sustainable Devlopment in Africa Developing a Plan of Action Vision We hereby declare our vision for 2030 as: A world in which biodiversity information contributes fully to sustainable development in Africa Goals Evidence-based decision-making supported by coordinated science-policy dialogue within and outside the biodiversity sector; Capacity building across the information value chain to empower stakeholders to produce & make accessible accurate biodiversity data for sustainable development; Mobilize & make openly accessible relevant biodiversity data to support education, research and decision-making for sustainable development; Leverage sustained funding. Objectives, priority actions, projects & consortia Declaration on Biodiversity Information for Sustainable Development in Africa Available at:on/mobilising-africas-biodiversity-data/africa- rising-march-2015-cape-town/on/mobilising-africas-biodiversity-data/africa- rising-march-2015-cape-town/ Launch of 2015 CALL FOR PROPOSALS 900,000 in grants planned (2.3 million in 4 rounds) Three categories National grants 60,000 per consortium Consortium grants 20,000 per partner Small grants 5,000 Presenter What will change or solve the failure of countries to develop accessible biodiversity knowledge platforms? What have you learned from your experience and research? Lessons & solutions Narrow the focus to a smaller selection of countries Look beyond GBIF Node Managers Organise national consultations Establish national working groups Deliver national training Visit key data-holding institutions Streamline establishment of data portals & explore alternative solutions Establish working group on biodiversity informatics curriculum Strengthen the socio-economic case Make biodiversity informatics fun Narrow the focus to a smaller selection of countries Look beyond GBIF Node Managers Organise national consultations Establish national working groups Deliver national training Visit key data-holding institutions Streamline establishment of data portals & explore alternative solutions Establish working group on biodiversity informatics curriculum Strengthen the socio-economic case Make biodiversity data mobilisation fun Lessons & solutions Project Coordinator: Russell Galt Project website: