Archives: Projects

  • Co-creating a peer learning platform for nursing education in Berlin-Brandenburg

    August 2020-present

    We developed KOPA (Cooperation in nursing education Berlin-Brandenburg) – an expanding peer learning platform on the topic of generalist nursing education that adapts to the needs of practical training providers and nursing schools in Berlin and Brandenburg. It aims to promote cooperation and networking, enable digital exchange, and make knowledge more accessible – user-friendly and free of charge. As a first step, Konnektiv held concept and design thinking workshops with the target group, nursing schools, to identify the background, motives and requirements for the design language to be developed. Using WordPress, we created a platform that fulfils a number of functions including a virtual living space, an information space, a media exchange space and a download center. The site is complemented by social media features that allow private messages, setting up small group workspaces, and integrated video conferencing using BigBlueButton.

  • The state of research and innovation in the field of Digitalisation in Africa – A multi-methods research for the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

    December 2019-September 2020

    In 2020 Konnektiv conducted multi-methods analysis of the state of research and innovation in the field of Digitalisation in Africa together with Technopolis.

    The analysis included a classification of topics, actors and framework conditions as well as the identification and assessment of cooperation potentials between German and African partners in the field of digitalisation in education, research and innovation. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods allowed us to provide indications of which aspects of digitalisation are being researched in Africa, which institutions and projects are relevant in this regard and where the hotspots of African research and innovation are located in this area. The findings served to provide the BMBF with an information basis for the preparation of a competition-based funding announcement to support cooperation projects between German and African researchers and companies in the field of research and education.

  • Digital transformation and migration – An analysis for Robert Bosch Foundation

    October 2020-April 2022

    Konnektiv, in collaboration with rOg agency, conducted a mapping and analysis of civil society addressing issues related to technological advances in the field of migration. For this study, we applied a mixed methods approach, consisting of engaged research, digital actor mapping, and semi-structured interviews.

    We mapped and analysed respective actor networks, different actor types, their thematic involvements,  and  the  role  of technology therein. These actors included migrant rights activists, grassroots civil society groups working on the ground, non-profit start-ups and tech communities, and researchers and research institutions in Europe, as well as in the African and Middle Eastern contexts. However, this report did not exclusively focuse on latest data practices in the migration field but mapped the overall technological repertoire civil society groups are embracing in their strive to support migrants across the migration cycle. It highlighted the centrality of such holistic view given that contexts vary widely, and so do the relevancies of technologies. We therefore examined the full spectrum of technological practices civil society actors use to support migrants and refugees across different stages of the migration process, as well as connected policy and advocacy work. This ranged from the provision of mobile or online tools for information access, skill building, or support of certain bureaucratic processes to the use of advanced data analytics to replicate unjust scenarios and thus supporting law cases defending migrant rights.

  • Implementation Paper – Digitalisation in Latin America and The Caribbean

    October 2021-April 2022

    Konnektiv conducted a multi country analysis for the GIZ, investigating the role German development cooperation should take in supporting the LAC region’s digital transformation and how development cooperation can contribute to the development of inclusive digital societies in the LAC region and in Europe.

    The aim of the research was to enable GIZ, on behalf of BMZ, to align its development strategies and the goals formulated in BMZ’s digitisation strategy with the realities in LAC and to create a strategic framework for future cooperation. The research was conducted for the sector areas

    • Green development – climate and energy, the environment, and natural resources
    • Peaceful and inclusive societies
    • Training and sustainable growth for decent job

    The study provided a conceptual framework to guide responsible pathways in the core thematic areas for bilateral and regional decision-making at macro and micro levels.

    The study took the form of a mixed methods approach consisting of secondary research, co-creative multi-stakeholder workshops in the research countries, and in-depth interviews with key actors at national and regional levels. The study was conducted in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.

  • IATI – Preparing German NGOs for the International Aid Transparency Standard

    April-September 2021

    Konnektiv, together with Steven Flower from the Open Data Service Coop, designed and facilitated a training series introducing German NGOs to the International Aid Transparency Standard (IATI). The training series has been organized and coordinated by GIZ, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and VENRO.

    In two one day workshops the participants have been introduced to IATI and had the opportunity to actively apply the standard and get familiar with the use of IATI data through hands-on exercises.
    The IATI Training Session I “Added value of IATI – How can I use the data?” was the first part of the two-day training. The participants learned how IATI data can be useful both for German development organizations and for cooperation between organizations.
    The IATI Training Session II “Publishing IATI data? What can I do to publish data according to the IATI standard?” was the second part of the two-day training. The participants explored how to publish IATI data and identified already existing data structures and information processes in their organisations that can be used for publication. Colleagues from World Vision Germany and International, as well as the Danish Refugee Council reported on their experiences and internal work processes for publishing in the IATI standard.

    The trainings were conducted on the BMZ’s new digital learning platform “atingi”. Materials and training documentation are available there for further use.

  • Study on key issues for inclusive digital development

    October 2019-October 2020

    Konnektiv was commissioned by the Heinrich Boell Foundation Washington DC to write a comprehensive report that explores some of the key issues that affect inclusive digital development in the Global South, largely focusing on Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The report begins with a review of existing models for digital development and looks at hindering factors such as access and connectivity divides. Further, it examines the importance of data and data governance for digital development.

    Interviews and various secondary sources are the base of this report. Konnektiv conducted eight interviews with experts from the Global South, the United States and Europe. Secondary research relied on recent reports published by various multilateral institutions, research institutes, think tanks, and media articles. The report also synthesizes insights gathered at the Internet Governance Forum in Berlin in November 2019 and at the conference “Data as a Development Issue” in Washington, DC in January 2020, which was co-organized by the George Washington University, the Center for Global Development and the Heinrich Boell Foundaiton Washington, DC. Initial findings were presented at this conference by our research team.

    The final paper “Data and the Global South: Key Issues for Inclusive Digital Development”, authored by Geraldine de Bastion and Sreekanth Mukku, was published in October 2020 . The study is available for download here.

  • Make-IT Startup Ecosystem Scouting & Study in Asia

    February-April 2020

    The “Tech-Entrepreneurship Initiative Make-IT” (short: Make-IT Initiative), a joint initiative of the BMZ with companies, associations and social enterprises, has the aim to develop growth and employment potential for entrepreneurs in the digital sector in partner countries of German development cooperation. The support measures have so far been implemented by the GIZ in the regional project “Make-IT in Africa” in selected African countries and is currently looking to expand to other regions.

    Taking into account the possible expansion of the Make-IT Initiative to Asia, the aim of this contract was to provide insight on the possibility of initiating a new project in the region to promote innovation and entrepreneurship specifically during the critical phase in the transition from a micro-company to a growth-oriented start-up. Konnektiv, in collaboration with our partner endeva, was brought on to handle the design, planning and coordination of scouting trips to four selected countries in Asia to explore 8 cities and their startup ecosystems. This included research, interviews and focus group discussions with startups and other important stakeholders and additional meetups.

    Based off of the scouting mission, a comprehensive internal study and documentation was written that included a national and regional SWOT and ecosystem analysis, recommendations for potential regional, national and global cooperation, and concept recommendations for the regional project’s potential expansion to Asia.

    Konnektiv has previously supported the Make-IT initiative by advising the GIZ and endeva on the concept phase of the Make-IT Ecosystem Accelerator in Kenya and Nigeria (2017), through the EU-AU Business Summit Pitching Sessions in Abidjan (2017) as well as developing the “Tech Trendscouting Toolkit: How to become a Tech Trendscout for Digital Innovation with Social Impact in Africa” (2019).

  • #Road2IGF: Data, Sovereignty, Democracy and a Global South Perspective

    In November 2019 the Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) and the United Nations Association of Germany hosted a warm up event #Road2IGF: Data, Sovereignty, Democracy and an African Perspective in the context of the Internet Governance Forum which took place in Berlin.

    How do we ensure people and democracies are informed and empowered through data driven systems such as AI rather than exploited and undermined? What infrastructures and data protection policies do we need? These questions were explored during the #Road2IGF event with four political analysts and civil society representatives.

    The event included a keynote from Nanjala Nyabola on digital identity, a presentation of research findings from Sreekanth Mukku (Project Manager on Data Privacy in the Global South at Konnektiv) on the effects of data protection laws on national AI strategies in India and Germany as well as a panel discussion outlining projects and initiatives working for data sovereignty in the global south including Linda Bonyo and Kudzai Mubaiwa. Together these experts shed light on questions concerning digital development, data and internet regulation and they debated how to ensure individual data sovereignty and the use of data for development for public good.

    By hosting this event we aimed to support the participation and amplify the positions of civil society representatives from the global south at IGF 2019. Konnektiv supports the work of the Global Innovation Gathering, our partner organization, as we both share the mission to make development cooperation more open and innovative.

    The event was livestreamed on the Facebook page from DGVN e.V. and can be viewed here.

  • Training on “Use of Digital Instruments in Project Work of Development NGOs”

    September 2019

    Konnektiv was commissioned by Venro to develop a training about the use of digital instruments in project work for staff of development policy and humanitarian NGOs. The training was intended to sensitize employees to what needs to be considered when dealing with digital technologies (e.g. data security and advantages of open software) and to create initial capacity insights in order to be able to identify suitable digital technologies for the respective contexts of their projects. The training consisted of theoretical and practical elements and provided relevant background information, on the basis of which concrete projects were analysed to determine how they have applied digital technologies to date and how implementation can be optimised.

    Kersti Ruth Wissenbach was responsible for the preparation and implementation of the training.

    Konnektiv has previously worked with Venro conducting the study “Tech for Good: Possibilities and limits of digital instruments in development cooperation of non-governmental organizations”.

  • Study on the AI-Privacy Conundrum in Germany and India

    A Comparative Analysis of AI National Strategies and Data Privacy Approaches

    May – August 2019

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful General-Purpose technology – considered as a game-changer that will have potential economic, social and political implications on all spheres of human life. The promise of AI presents a huge economic opportunity and to capitalize on this new technology wave governments have rolled out their national AI strategies. Algorithms in AI that learn from public and private data to draw patterns and make decisions autonomously could pose serious threats to the right to privacy of individuals. While capitalizing on this new technology it is also essential that right to privacy – a fundamental right – needs to be protected. This research study examines the AI national strategies of Germany and India to assess how they approach privacy and suggests that tighter privacy regulations do not undermine the governments’ AI push to reap benefits of innovation, job creation, and productivity.

    This study was written by Sreekanth Mukku.  AI-Privacy Conundrum: A Comparative Analysis of AI National Strategies and Data Privacy Approaches in Germany and India is available here.