This living knowledge repository is a space for learning about tools and methods related to knowledge sharing (KS) as framed in the context of international development - with a focus on agriculture, fisheries, food and nutrition, forestry, and sustainable development.

The online resource was launched by the ICT-KM [Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Knowledge Management (KM)] Program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). However, these collaborators describe it as a piece of collective work in that it is based on former project work, as well as on many existing resources, like the ones developed by CARE and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). The KM4Dev Community, a group of over 800 development practitioners interested in knowledge management/KS, is also involved in creating and growing this resource of KS tools and methods. The toolkit, which has been developed on a wiki, is also a collective effort because of its participatory nature, as illustrated by the following: "We created it to be a resource both for KS workshops and as an ongoing place to learn about, improve upon and generally share our knowledge sharing practices. There are other KS toolkits out in the world - many of them listed in our acknowledgments. Most of them, however, are static - not updated. We wanted to provide a place where we can share our practices in an on-going manner. So we invite you to improve upon any of the entries, leave your name and contact information if you can be a resource on a tool or method, and share stories (both success and "uh-oh - failure" types) of these methods and tools in use. Let's help each other." As of April 2009, the Toolkit contained more than 80 tools and methods for sharing knowledge, and was receiving over 10,000 visits per month. 96 members have registered since its launch and have contributed to the toolkit improvements with regular updates and the creation of new pages.

The toolkit has three main pieces:

1. A library of tools, meaning web-based software (e.g., blogs, wikis, instant messengers, podcasting) and offline physical tools that can be used with a variety of methods.
2. A library of methods, meaning group processes that people can use to interact with each other, online or offline (e.g., appreciative inquiry, storytelling, knowledge fairs).
3. A set of perspectives and guidance that can help users choose tools and methods for their needs and contexts. Some examples: How can I organise meetings differently? How can I plan, monitor, and evaluate my activities/projects? How can I improve relationships and collaboration between regional offices and the headquarters?

Emails from Simone Staiger-Rivas to Soul Beat Africa on May 30 2008 and to The Communication Initiative on July 2 2009.