1 of 7

Group on Earth Observations Capacity Development Working Group Priorities�Nancy Searby�Allison Craddock�GEO Capacity Development Working Group Co-Chairs�

2 of 7

Joint GEO Work Programme Mapping Effort

Aim to identify gaps and potential opportunities for synergy among GEO Work Programme (GWP) activities to meet policy needs while contributing to next GWP
Cross-Working Group effort among Climate Change (lead), Disaster Risk Reduction, Capacity Development since the end of 2020
Technical support from ESRI and AmeriGEO
6 sections: 1) GWP activity identification, 2) scope and area of impact, 3) Climate Change, 4) Disaster Risk Reduction, 5) Capacity Development, 6) additional feedback
Officially launched on 31 August through invitations to GWP leads
Survey closed end of January; final analysis underway.

3 of 7

Strengths

there is already a lot of interest in producing and sharing Capacity Development resources, across the GEO Work Programme

Weaknesses

collaborating across some Work Program flagships, initiatives, and community activities could be increased; there are CD resources that could be produced and shared by multiple WP components.

Opportunities

identify and curate CD resources that bridge the gap between current and desired levels, as indicated by WP components, and in collaboration with Regional GEOs

Capacity Development

Capacity Development is an essential element for supporting both Climate and DRR activities – it is how we empower our community with the tools it needs to maximize the impact and utility of Earth Observations

Advanced

Intermediate

Novice

Expert

New to EO

(no answer)

How can we effectively gather and build CD tools for GEO toolkits?

Design of the Work Programme mapping also included Capacity Development, as a cross-cutting essential element for supporting both Climate and DRR activities, as well as a vehicle for community empowerment to maximize the impact and utility of Earth Observations

From preliminary analysis of initial survey responses, we see there is a significant amount of interest in sharing Capacity Development resources across the GEO Work Programme, and a noted need to increase or improve collaborations across GWP elements that may not normally collaborate on resource sharing. Survey responses suggest that collaborating across some Work Program flagships, initiatives, and community activities could be increased, in order to leverage CD resources that could be produced and shared by multiple WP components, especially in a “GEO Toolkit” that has been co-developed with users, and includes use cases and training resources.

There are a substantial amount of CD resources already in the GEO community – how can we make sure we know what is already available and make it findable and accessible before investing (often limited) funds/resources in developing new CD tools?

We are already gaining important insights into optimal delivery methods, levels of competency, synergies with disaster risk reduction, and other indicators of gaps and needs in capacity development throughout the GEO Work Programme.

4 of 7

GEO Activities engaging in Capacity Development for Climate and DRR

Capacity Development is an essential element for supporting both Climate and DRR activities; it is how we empower our community with the tools it needs to maximize the impact and utility of Earth Observations.

GEO Activities that reported including capacity development activities that support disaster risk reduction

GEO Activities reported addressing disaster risk reduction

5 of 7

2022 Planned Efforts

Complete analysis with Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Working Groups of the GEO Work Programme Joint Mapping exercise.
Participate in and benefit from the CEOS-led Earth Observation Training, Education and Capacity Development Network (EOTEC DevNet).
Explore the possibility of creating a GEO Capacity Development Community of Practice for sharing of not only capacity development tools and resources, but also professional development tips and lessons for empowering current and future EO capacity development professionals.
Address the recommendations of the GEO Mid-Term Evaluation

Improved targeting and communications surrounding GEO’s value-added proposition
Capacity development resources that leverage GEO’s convening role
Foster greater engagement of current and future members, participating organizations, and associates as well as regional GEOs.

Terms of Reference revisions proposed to adjust membership approach.
GEO Implementation Plan updates for Pilot and existing Initiatives, Flagships, Regional GEO’s due March 31, 2022.

6 of 7

New members are welcome!