Resourcing and collaborative projects

Context

There is huge variety in the ways that nodes' resource their activities. Most nodes combine sources of funding and institutional support to deliver their work programmes. Not only newly established nodes need to consider how to make the case for funding their activities, and there is much we can learn from sharing experiences on this topic. Many nodes have success stories to share in designing and implementing funded projects based on collaborative actions with other nodes in the network. These projects are essential in strengthening the nodes community. In this module, nodes will share their experiences, tips and recommendations for resourcing their activities, as well as working in groups to consider how to design three typical collaborative project types: mentoring actions, regional events and data mobilization projects.

These materials were developed as part of the 2019 Global Nodes training in Leiden, Netherlands.

Learning objectives

After completing this module, you should be able to perform the following:

  • Describe node funding mechanisms

  • Choose a funding mechanism

  • Describe GBIF support programmes along with their specific requirements and evaluation process

  • Describe how nodes can contribute to collaborative projects

  • Understand the roles of a proposal assessor and evaluation panel members

  • Assess a proposal

Trainers

The following trainers have developed the content for this topic:

  • Anders Telenius, Sweden

  • Liam Lysaght, Ireland

  • Pierre Radji, Togo

with additional contributions from:

  • André Heughebaert, Belgium

  • Anne-Sophie Archambeau, France

  • Jean Ganglo, Benin

  • Jean Paul Kubwimana, ARCOS

GBIF staff consultant: Maheva Bagard Laursen, Programme Officer for Community and Capacity

Models for resourcing nodes activities

Nodes managers share their experiences with resourcing their node activities.

Experiences from ARCOS

 

 

Experiences from Sweden

 

 

Experiences from Belgium

 

 

GBIF support to collaborative projects

An introduction to collaboration in the community with an overview of the different programmes supported by the GBIF Secretariat and nodes.

 

 

Experiences from France

There are many ways nodes can get involved in supporting collaborative projects, from leading projects, partnering in them, providing mentoring support, assisting as trainers, supporting assessment and reporting processes.

 

 

Exercises

Nodes resourcing exercise

Overview of resourcing in the community and speed dating activity - short exchanges with other node managers on the topic of resourcing for node activities and aiming to capture tips and recommendations.

 

 

Project assessment exercise

For this activity, we will split into groups focused on one of three typical project types: mentoring projects, data mobilization projects and regional events. Each group will firstly take on the role of assessing fictitious concept notes and then work on developing a full proposal.