Starting with how people collaborate

We opened the year by publishing the results of a survey on how people collaborate online. The survey itself was conducted in 2024, with findings shared in early 2025. While modest in scale, the responses were still instructive. Tools matter, but they were rarely seen as decisive. Instead, participants consistently pointed to purpose, facilitation, trust, and time as the elements that most shaped their experience of online collaboration.

Sharing our experiences: presenting at the KM Triversary Forum

At the KM Triversary Forum (14-15 October 2025), we delivered a presentation together with IDRC colleagues on our experiences in building and supporting a KM and collaboration platform for the CLimate Adaptation and REsilience (CLARE) programme.

The presentation, “Bridging Communities and Content: Integrated KM for Climate Research Collaboration”, showcased how CLARE’s modular platform connects people, content, and learning across more than 30 research projects worldwide.

A second presentation, delivered with Dgroups Foundation Associate Simon Hearn, explored how Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems can move beyond compliance and reporting to foster shared reflection, adaptation, and collaboration across research programmes. Drawing on examples from, amongst others, CLARE and AQUADAPT, we discussed what it takes to design MEL systems that are both practical and learning-oriented.

Supporting knowledge exchange for the NAgDI initiative

In 2025, we supported knowledge exchange around the National Agricultural Data Infrastructure (NAgDI), a multi-country initiative led by the Commonwealth Secretariat to strengthen agricultural data systems. Our role focused on facilitating dialogue by incubating national online groups, supporting thematic webinars, and helping sustain discussion beyond in-person workshops. These exchanges extended into the D4Ag community, itself a Dgroups Foundation partner. The experience showed how connections between Foundation partners can create the conditions for synergies to emerge and deepen.

Revamping the KM4Dev website

As part of activities marking twenty-five years of the KM4Dev community, we supported efforts to revamp the KM4Dev website. The focus was on introducing a cleaner design and clearer navigation to make a large and diverse body of resources more accessible to members and the wider knowledge management community.

Collaborating across disciplines: Integrating gender into livestock modelling

In the second half of 2025, we worked with the SEBI-Livestock team to facilitate an LD4D Solutions Group on Gender Considerations in Livestock Modeling. The goal was simple but ambitious: to create the conditions for a diverse group of researchers, modellers, and gender specialists to think together, learn from one another, and tackle a shared challenge.

Welcoming new Partners: PARCEL and the OMLC

PARCEL (Partner Capacity Enhancement in Logistics) became a Dgroups Foundation partners in late 2025. We are supporting the incubation of the PARCEL Network group, an email-based community of practice that connects humanitarian professionals from local, national, and international agencies. 

The Outcome Mapping Learning Community (OMLC) is a long-standing global network advancing the practice of Outcome Mapping. In 2025, we supported their transition to a groups.io-based community space, intending to reinforce peer exchange and connect OMLC members more directly with other learning-oriented communities.

Clarifying direction and focus

We took time in 2025 to reflect on what drives our work and where we want to focus next. This resulted in a refinement of our Purpose, Mission, and Vision. Not as a rebranding exercise, but as a reaffirmation of what the Foundation stands for and how we serve our partners and communities. Building on that, we also revisited how we present what we do, organizing our activities around three complementary “workstreams” that together shape how we engage with partners and communities.

Closing the year together: Knowledge and Learning Exchange

The year concluded with a public, virtual Knowledge and Learning Exchange to reflect on online collaboration, knowledge sharing, and online communities. The exchange was structured around four themes: knowledge retention; the role of AI in knowledge management and collaboration; how to understand and assess success in online collaboration and knowledge exchange; and what it takes to sustain and grow engagement over time. 

Looking forward

As we move into 2026, several strands of work will continue to develop. These include:

• Further supporting the evolution of the KM4Dev website through the integration between the long-standing KM4Dev discussion groups and the public website. This will provide a more seamless experience across conversation, content, and community.
  
• A second phase of the gender and livestock modelling Solutions Group.
  
• Unpacking key messages from recent Knowledge and Learning events and creating additional opportunities for exchange, from informal “show and tell” sessions to more structured workshops and learning events.
  
• More regular exchanges with our current partners, so we can keep listening and adjust our support as their collaboration and knowledge-sharing needs evolve.

If you’re interested in any of these areas or would like to explore collaboration or partnership opportunities, please let us know – we are always keen to collaborate on joint projects!

The Dgroups Foundation supports more inclusive, effective, and sustainable collaboration in development, humanitarian, and social justice work.

We help partners establish and strengthen online communities, knowledge-sharing platforms, learning processes, and other collaborative spaces. We facilitate dialogue, support interaction and engagement, and help design tools and workflows that make collaboration easier and more meaningful – online and in person.

We also distill and openly share the insights and learning generated through our work – contributing to collective knowledge and helping people and organizations connect, learn, and act together.

The Foundation’s work is organized around three complementary “workstreams” that together shape how we engage with partners and communities. Each element of the portfolio focuses on a different but connected aspect of collaboration, from curating and sharing learning to nurturing partnerships to providing hands-on support for collaborative initiatives.

Workstream 1: Knowledge brokering

Through knowledge brokering, we curate learning and community insights that inform, inspire, and connect. We focus on what collaboration looks like in practice. By widely sharing this, we aim to help strengthen collective understanding of online collaboration across the development, humanitarian, and social justice fields.

Key activities include:

• Curating and sharing stories, case studies, and lessons from our work and beyond;
• Facilitating experience-sharing and learning processes that distill practical insights;
• Maintaining a searchable registry of online groups and communities to help people find relevant spaces;
• Tracking emerging trends, tools, and practices in online engagement and translating them into actionable guidance for partners.

Workstream 2: Partner engagement

Here the focus is on strengthening the relationships and shared learning that hold the Dgroups Partnership together. We create opportunities for peer exchange, reflection and learning so partners can learn from one another and find solutions to shared challenges. By connecting partners with trusted tools, platforms, and expertise, this workstream helps organizations work more effectively.

Key activities include:

• Facilitating interactions and knowledge sharing among our partners;
• Sharing selected insights with wider audiences and encouraging partners to contribute to public-facing dialogues;
• Providing access to trusted, low-cost collaboration tools such as Groups.io, Menti, and Zoom;
• Connecting partners with our Associates – experienced professionals in facilitation, KM, and online collaboration.

Workstream 3: Support to projects

Here, we directly accompany partners in designing, launching, and sustaining collaboration initiatives. This includes helping to create online communities, platforms, and events that connect people and ideas, as well as embedding learning and reflection into their workflows. The workstream combines technical know-how with facilitation, design, and capacity-building support – always focused on enabling partners to run effective and inclusive collaboration spaces of their own.

Key activities include:

• Setting up and facilitating online communities of practice, providing onboarding and coaching;
• Advising on strategy, platform choices, and engagement models for collaborative spaces;
• Offering implementation and technical support across systems such as Groups.io, WordPress, Google Workspace, ODK, and Nextcloud;
• Delivering tailored workshops and coaching to strengthen facilitation and community management skills;
• Designing and facilitating online, in-person, and blended dialogues and events;
• Co-developing learning-oriented MEL systems and dashboards that help partners reflect, adapt, and make informed decisions.

Together, these three workstreams bring to life the Foundation’s mission of helping people and organizations collaborate more effectively – not through one-size-fits-all solutions, but through relationships, learning, and practice. They represent how the Dgroups Foundation connects strategy and experience, people and platforms, ideas and action for a more inclusive and collaborative development ecosystem.

If you’d like to discuss how these workstreams could support your community, partnership, or project, we’d love to hear from you

Our Purpose

The Dgroups Foundation helps people, communities, and organizations in international development, humanitarian aid, and social justice to collaborate more effectively – strengthening learning, inclusion, and impact.

Our Vision

A world where people and organizations collaborate and learn in inclusive, effective, and purposeful ways to advance social justice and achieve meaningful development outcomes.

Our Mission

We facilitate and support stronger collaboration, networking, and learning in development, humanitarian, and social justice work – by providing knowledge and expertise, advising on strategy and platforms, supporting online communities and campaigns, and connecting people and ideas – both online and in person.

To put this mission into practice, the Foundation’s work is organized around three complementary workstreams: Knowledge brokering, Partner engagement, and Support to projects – each contributing to a more connected and collaborative development community.

These refinements build on more than two decades of supporting online communities and partnerships.

They reflect what we’ve learned along the way, what current demands and opportunities look like, and how we can continue evolving with our partners to strengthen the culture and practice of collaboration.

You are welcome to share suggestions and feedback on how these statements resonate and how we can continue to improve together – comment below or get in touch with us

The session explored how Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems can move beyond compliance and reporting to foster shared reflection, adaptation, and collaboration across research programmes. Drawing on examples from CLARE, AQUADAPT, and KIX – three initiatives supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) – we discussed what it takes to design MEL systems that are both practical and learning-oriented.

The presentation highlighted several key considerations that guided the development of MEL systems alongside investment in KM platforms:

• Every programme is unique – systems must fit their specific context. 
• Use outcome-focused and actor-centred approaches – and provide the support needed to make them work.
• Start from MEL users’ needs – including both donors and grantees.
• Facilitate learning loops and collective sense-making, not just data reporting.
• Encourage openness, shared ownership, and responsibility in how data is managed and used.
• Set up integrated, bespoke systems that automate routine processes while staying adaptable to change.

Together, the AQUADAPT, KIX, and CLARE experiences illustrated how tailored, integrated MEL systems can help bridge the gap between research and practice – turning data into dialogue and learning into action.

This 90-minute interactive session will bring together online facilitators, knowledge managers, and practitioners from across international development, humanitarian, and social justice networks to explore how online collaboration can become more effective and engaging.

Under the theme “Collaboration Futures: Strengthening online communities and practices,” this year’s Exchange will draw on experiences and lessons from Dgroups partners and collaborators. Through short conversations, breakout discussions, and shared reflections, we will explore:

• Using AI in knowledge management and sharing – Lessons from the KS Toolkit
  
• Measuring online collaboration and knowledge exchange
  
• Knowledge retention and continuity – why it matters and how to do it
  
• Sustaining, growing and enhancing online engagement

Join us and guest speakers Davide Piga, Rocio Sanz and Simon Hearn.

The session is open to anyone interested in strengthening online communities, facilitating knowledge exchange, or improving collaboration across projects and organisations. It offers a chance to connect with peers, hear practical examples, and take away ideas that can be applied in everyday work.

📅 Date: Thursday 20 November 2025
🕒 Time: 14:00–15:30 CET (13:00–14:30 UTC)
💻 Format: Online (Zoom)
🔗 Register here: Link 

Please feel free to share the invitation with colleagues who might be interested.

We look forward to connecting with you in November!

The presentation, “Bridging Communities and Content: Integrated KM for Climate Research Collaboration”, showcased how the Dgroups Foundation supported CLARE in designing and building a modular knowledge management platform that connects people, content, and learning across more than 30 research projects worldwide.

Instead of purchasing a single off-the-shelf solution, the CLARE programme design team agreed with the Foundation team’s recommendation to “buy smart, build light, and stay adaptable.”

The resulting platform integrates familiar tools – WordPress for web and integration with the DSpace repository, Groups.io for collaboration, and ODK for monitoring and learning – into one connected environment. At the core of the collaboration module is email, still the most inclusive and accessible medium for the Programme’s collaborators.

Following the Principles for Digital Development, the platform was co-designed through consultation with Programme partners and built for flexibility, sustainability, and ease of use. It enables CLARE collaborations to share outputs openly, connect through communities of practice, and link evidence to programme-wide learning.

Key takeaways from this specific experience include:

• User voices matter more than assumptions – designing with people, not for them, ensures relevance and adoption.
  
• Buy smart, build light, stay adaptable – combine proven tools rather than reinventing new ones, keeping systems lean and flexible.
  
• Invest early, save later – time spent on consultation, research, and integration upfront reduces long-term recurring costs.
  
• Email remains the most accessible tool for interaction – it continues to be the simplest, most inclusive way to collaborate across contexts.
  
• Visibility of data encourages contributions – when users see how information is used, they are more motivated to share and update it.
  
• Plan for and provide ongoing facilitation and support – platforms thrive when there are people who nurture engagement and connection.

This collaboration demonstrated how an integrated, fit-for-purpose approach can achieve value for money and technically sound systems that are affordable to maintain, adaptable over time, and supportive of user needs.

Here we summarize what we heard from the 43 respondents from a wide range of organizations – including INGOs, UN agencies, local NGOs, governments, and knowledge management groups.

Where collaboration happens

Nearly half (46.5%) of respondents said their online collaboration spans both internal and cross-organizational spaces. Others collaborate mainly through joint projects (30.2%) or within their own organization (23.3%).

What mattered most

Virtual meetings and events were the most valued online interaction – both individually and collectively. Other highly rated activities included connecting with peers, sharing updates, and participating in topic-based discussions.

Tools used

Email was said to be very relevant, followed closely by collaboration platforms, video conferencing, and document sharing. Instant messaging and online forums also featured prominently.

Drivers of tool use

Ease of use, time zones, cost, and the needs of audiences and stakeholders were the most common factors cited that influence which tools get used – and how.

Looking ahead

Respondents highlighted a mix of excitement and caution around Artificial Intelligence (AI) – by far the most mentioned future trend. Other shifts mentioned included hybrid work models, better access in the Global South, and the need for integrated, purpose-built platforms.

Cool or cautious?

When asked about ‘cool’ features they value, many pointed to live collaboration, tool integration, and accessibility – but others questioned the usefulness of hype. For many, what matters most was said to be simple, usable, and inclusive tools that work for real people in diverse contexts.

This feedback will help guide how we support and strengthen collaboration in the Dgroups Partnership and beyond. A big thank you to everyone who took part!

Want to share your own experience or tools? Get in touch – we’re keen to learn more

One of the key areas we’ve worked on recently is the integration of different online collaboration platforms with other tools and systems for knowledge sharing and management. This work has allowed us to explore innovative solutions and deliver more cohesive systems that enhance collaboration outcomes for our partners.

Alongside this, we experience growing demands to integrate Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems with internal Knowledge Management platforms. This is a relatively new area for the Foundation, and we’ve enjoyed collaborating with partners to design and implement different solutions.

Moving forward, we aim to continue improving how we document and share news from the Foundation and our Partners to strengthen our collective impact. You can stay updated on our website at dgroups.info or following us on LinkedIn.

Finally, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our team of Associates. We are enjoying being able to draw on the expertise of Jessica Ball, Tony Murray, Simon Hearn, Sajid Chowdhury and the team at Big Blue and Susanna Pecora – covering facilitation, online collaboration, web design, and platform building.

Survey on online collaboration

In October, we launched a survey to understand needs, trends, and demands for online collaboration and interaction in the development, humanitarian, and health sectors. And to identify popular and promising technical solutions that people are using to enable online collaboration and interaction.

So far, we received 50 responses from a wide range of people. While we are still analysing the responses, here are some emerging results:

• Email, document sharing and editing platforms, and video conferencing tools are the most common modes of online collaboration/interaction.
  
• In terms of tools and platforms, the most used are: Google Workspace and MS Teams; Zoom; Google Drive, OneDrive and SharePoint; and email in general.
  
• Emerging trends identified as shaping future online collaboration and interaction include:
  • Integration of AI in workflows, analytics, and collaboration tools.
  • Hybrid collaboration, blending face-to-face and online interactions.
  • Budget and environmental constraints, increasing reliance on virtual meetings and online tools.
  • Smartphone proliferation in low- and middle-income countries, enhancing accessibility but likely to significantly influence the choice of tools and apps.
  • Increasing use of high-quality automated translations for more inclusive global collaboration.
  • Growing integration across platforms and tools.

We plan to share the full survey results in early 2025 and continue this conversation in a public virtual exchange with Dgroups Partners and other interested individuals and organizations.

Project updates

Integrating content and ‘spaces’ in the CLARE KM platform

Earlier this year, we developed a  Knowledge Management (KM) Platform for the CLimate Adaptation & REsilience (CLARE) Programme of FCDO and IDRC. The platform integrates the groups.io software with WordPress, and imports records from a Dspace repository into WordPress as custom post types. This demonstrates how different open content can be brought together in an integrated system that reinforces different collaboration outcomes. We have documented this in a short case study. Read more

Supporting knowledge management for the AQUADAPT Initiative

We further continued our partnership with IDRC – working with the AQUADAPT initiative to scope, design and build its knowledge management platform. The platform will enable the collection and analysis of monitoring data across projects, and facilitate cross-programme peer learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. The beta version of the platform is expected later this year, with the full release in early 2025. Read more

From planning to action: Launching the CGIAR climate community

Earlier this year, CGIAR launched an online climate community—a dedicated space to share updates, insights, and foster connections among experts and peers committed to addressing climate adaptation and mitigation challenges. The Dgroups Foundation is collaborating with the Platform to nurture and grow this online community, adding value to its members, their work, and the Platform’s overarching goals. Read more

Integrating MEL systems with knowledge management platforms

For two recent projects, we developed monitoring systems Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems integrated into internal Knowledge Management (KM) platforms.As a relatively new area for the Foundation, it’s been exciting to collaborate with partners to design and implement tailored solutions in this space. Read more

Establishing an AMR knowledge sharing space for IDRC

Building from our work with CLARE and AQUADAPT, we just agreed a further project with IDRC to support ‘InnoVet-AMR’ – a four-year partnership between IDRC and the UK Department of Health and Social Care to address the emerging global threat of antimicrobial resistance by reducing the misuse of antimicrobials in animal production in the Global South. In early 2025, we will develop a knowledge management platform to support the program’s internal information storage and knowledge sharing between grantees.

Practical steps for engaging communities of practice

Earlier this year, we published a concise CoP Engagement Planning Guide that draws on some of the best-known practices to offer a practical and actionable framework for online communities. The guide outlines clear strategies for effective CoP planning and management within the development sector. By implementing these strategies, organizations, projects, and networks can significantly enhance the effectiveness of their CoPs, fostering more meaningful interactions and driving successful outcomes. Read more

Partner experiences

Aside from our own directly contracted projects and support, we observe our partners using their groups in different ways. Here we share a few updates.

The D4Ag community specialises in online community conversations as mechanisms to drive membership engagement and experience sharing on digital agriculture. We recently published a short case on its approach, covering the  community’s evolution, its strategies to engage members, and practical tips to cultivate dynamic and inclusive digital communities. Particularly interesting is the strategic use they make of eConversations, to build dialogue and partnerships, and turn dialogue into knowledge. Read more

At ILRI, the GLAD livestock community has been with us for several years. It brings together individuals and organizations with interests in sustainable livestock systems in developing areas, sharing plans and resources that can help make the case for increased investment. Operating somewhat in the background of the initiative, it supports the advocacy efforts of various groups that each have their specific strategic niches. In recent years, it has particularly supported information-sharing and engagement campaigns around major global events.  Alongside the community space, the initiative has a dedicated website – https://whylivestockmatter.org/

The CGIAR GENDER community was set up in early 2020 around a meeting in Rome of the gender research community of CGIAR. Then, the idea was to provide a mechanism for the wider CGIAR gender community to engage with that meeting – the organisers provided daily discussion updates, and the wider community was asked to contribute their ideas. Since then, the community has grown into a broader community of interest in gender and agriculture with regular sharing of information on events, publications and opportunities. 

In October 2024, the GENDER platform convened a face-to-face meeting in India to discuss strategies to make agricultural extension more gender responsive. For this meeting, recognizing the ambitious agenda and limited time, a dedicated online sub-group was created for participants to introduce themselves in advance of the meeting. Alongside their short introductions the contributors also shared the critical factors they saw holding back more gender responsive extension. In the meeting itself, this initial interaction proved useful as people also readily knew something of each other and, interestingly, the critical factors identified proved to be a good match for an evidence review that the organisers prepared. Since the meeting, a few updating messages have been shared and there may be interest to continue the discussions.

KM4Dev end-of-year event

On 18 December 2024, we joined members of the KM4Dev community in an end-of-year event. The session was an occasion to celebrate what the community has achieved during this year and to brainstorm ideas and plan activities around the 25th Anniversary of this long-standing, thriving online community.

Looking forward

To wrap up, here are a few activities and ideas we look forward to taking forward in 2025:

• Virtual exchange: Early next year, we will hold another online Partner-driven, exchange meeting. The program will include a  review of the survey results to test the results and implications as well as hearing updates on partners and others on their lessons and innovations around  online collaboration and communities of practice. Together, we will capitalize on the experiences from partners and beyond. More details in the new year.

• A database and directory of online groups: A few years back we prototyped the Community Connector – a public, searchable database and directory of online groups and communities in the development and humanitarian sector. As we gain experience integrating information from different online communities and other platforms, we are keen to find partners to explore how we can  move the ‘connector’ to a next level that leverages the possibilities offered by API and other integration methods. Drop us a line if you are interested in this initiative.

• Supporting KM4Dev 25th Anniversary: For its 25th birthday celebrations in 2025, KM4Dev is planning a series of events and activities during the whole year. As Dgroups Foundation, we’ll be supporting these efforts by providing the platform that enables planning and implementation of the celebrations. And supporting the process of revamping the KM4Dev website, for a closer integration between the website and the various km4dev-related email groups.

Let us know of any ideas you might like to explore further or discuss – we are always keen to collaborate on joint projects and outreach using online tools and approaches where the Foundation’s networks can add value.

Earlier this year, CGIAR launched an online climate community – a dedicated space to share updates, insights, and foster connections among experts and peers committed to addressing climate adaptation and mitigation challenges. The Dgroups Foundation is supporting the Platform as it nurtures and grows this online community.

Planning for engagement

Engagement and relationship-building are central to successful communities. To support these goals, we developed a 90-minute virtual workshop to help new community leads strategize their growth. Before launching the CGIAR community, we guided a small group of colleagues through key steps to establish a solid foundation. Starting with a values check-in, we explored lessons from successful communities of practice, clarified roles and responsibilities, and identified priority activities. Additionally, we created a resource to guide community engagement, offering practical insights for designing and activating thriving online spaces.

Group setup and technical support

Launching an online community involves a blend of technical and engagement planning. Together with the CGIAR core team, we established a dedicated multi-community space using the groups.io platform, which supports email-based groups and collaboration tools.

Initially, efforts focused on creating a dedicated group for CGIAR members to share events, updates, and thematic discussions. A parent climate community, open to external members, facilitates connections and conversations beyond CGIAR’s boundaries, offering flexibility to engage diverse stakeholders.

Facilitating meaningful interactions

To spark engagement, we planned a series of thematic e-discussions within a specialized sub-group for CGIAR affiliates. These discussions provide a focused environment for deeper collaboration and foster connections across CGIAR centers.

As Dgroups Foundation, we have run many of such exercises and have a robust methodology and process that ensures active participation. As D4Ag community lead, Giacomo Rambaldi shared in a recent conversation, thorough preparation and planning are essential for the success of an e-discussion. This includes:

• Drafting a conversation framework to outline the topic.
• Identifying and formulating key questions.
• Assigning roles, such as question launchers and summary writers.
• Scheduling emails and preparing templates.

The first e-discussion explored the role of carbon credits in achieving climate goals. Responses highlighted diverse perspectives, projects, and challenges, enriching the conversation with valuable insights. To support both active participants and passive readers, we shared mid-point and final summaries of the discussion. Beyond e-discussions, the group has been used to highlight relevant events and share curated social media round-ups.

Guiding users and growing capacities

In parallel with thematic facilitation, we provided guidance to members on effectively participating in discussions and utilizing the groups.io platform’s features. While engagement is possible directly through email, platform tools such as the member directory, the calendar, and the wiki can foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.

A key part of our approach is strengthening the capacity of CGIAR colleagues in online facilitation and community management. Through hands-on demonstrations, we model effective facilitation behaviors, suggest actionable steps, and guide colleagues in designing and managing discussions. By doing so, we aim to empower CGIAR colleagues to confidently take the lead in managing the community next year, with the Dgroups Foundation stepping into a supportive, background role. This transition is essential for fostering a sustainable and self-reliant community.

Looking ahead

Communities require ongoing nurturing, blending online and offline interactions. As we look toward 2025, we will continue to support the CGIAR team in growing their community and deepening its impact. Reflexive learning and feedback loops will ensure the community’s value proposition remains relevant and impactful.

A journey from Kigali to global influence

The Digital Agri Hub online community, commonly referred to as D4Ag, was established in 2013 with the launch of the first ICT for Agriculture (ICT4Ag) conference in Kigali, Rwanda. Initially, the community was known as ICT4Ag and primarily comprised members from ACP countries – Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Over time, it evolved into D4Ag, reflecting a broader focus and a more diverse membership base.

When the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) transitioned stewardship of the community to Wageningen University & Research, D4Ag underwent significant changes. It has expanded to include members from Asia and other continents. Under Wageningen’s guidance, the community has become a dynamic space for listening, connecting expertise, identifying priorities, bridging knowledge gaps, and fostering innovation in agriculture.

D4Ag’s focus extends beyond traditional farming to include agroforestry, fisheries, and livestock production, encompassing the full spectrum of land-based production systems. This broad approach supports diverse agricultural stakeholders in navigating and leveraging digital technologies for sustainable development.

A diverse membership base

D4Ag is a thriving global community of 1,900 people from a wide range of stakeholder groups, including development agencies, researchers, academics, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and consultants. In addition to the English-speaking D4Ag community, the Digital Agri Hub maintains both smaller French– and Spanish-speaking D4Ag dgroups.

However, a critical gap remains: representation from farmers’ organizations. While the exchanges and discussions in D4Ag often focus on farmer-centric issues, direct input from farmers is limited. This reflects a broader challenge faced by many digital communities, where barriers such as digital literacy, accessibility, and confidence in expressing opinions limit participation.

Patterns of engagement: Active participants, lurkers, and inactive members

Engagement within the D4Ag community mirrors trends observed in many online groups. Approximately 8%-10% of members actively contribute, sharing ideas, insights, and driving discussions.

The majority, often referred to as lurkers, are silent readers who do not actively engage but gain knowledge from the group. Far from being passive, the presence of these informed lurkers highlights the community’s role as a resource for learning and inspiration, even for those who choose to remain in the background.

A smaller subset of members, however, remains inactive, neither reading nor engaging with the group’s communications. Recognizing and addressing these diverse levels of engagement is essential to build a more inclusive and involved community.

eConversations: Building dialogue and partnerships

Since 2022, D4Ag moderators have revitalized their approach to community activities, starting with an e-dialogue to identify training needs and opportunities, conducted in partnership with the Dgroups Foundation. This was followed by a series of eConversations, where topics of interest were identified through small surveys and polls, and partnerships were formed with development agencies and institutions that share similar interests.

Each eConversation typically spans a week, running from Monday to Friday, with secondary questions sometimes introduced the following week to deepen discussions. This flexible format ensures meaningful engagement while accommodating the varying schedules of participants.

Turning dialogue into knowledge: Summarizing and sharing insights

After each eConversation, moderators compile and share detailed summaries, including:

• Responses to individual questions.
• An overall summary with 3-5 sub-summaries.
• A compilation of resources cited during the discussion.

These summaries are published as wikis within the community group, with downloadable PDF versions made available on the Digital AgriHub website. Content is shared under a Creative Commons license, allowing others to reuse and build upon it, provided the source is acknowledged.

Community surveys show that a significant number of members actively read and share these summaries, underscoring their value in supporting participants and a wider audience interested in digital agriculture.

D4Ag’s top tips for community development and engagement

1. Leverage platform features to understand your members

Make full use of the features offered by platforms like Groups.io. Set up fields to capture relevant member data during the sign-up process. Recently, D4Ag began collecting metadata such as gender and geographic location, enabling a deeper understanding of its newer members compared to when the community first launched.

2. Proactively recruit new members and organizations

Continuously expand your network by reaching out to new members and organizations. For example, D4Ag recently connected with the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) and other regional farmers’ organizations to promote the community within their constituencies.

3. Collaborate with like-minded organizations

Build partnerships with organizations that share an interest in your topics. D4Ag has found success in partnering with various groups to co-facilitate eConversations, enhancing both the depth and reach of discussions.

4. Seek subject-matter experts

Actively invite specialists to contribute to your community. Platforms like LinkedIn can be leveraged to identify experts in specific areas and encourage them to join the conversation.

5. Prepare thoroughly for discussions

Don’t underestimate the groundwork required before launching an eConversation. At D4Ag, preparing for a conversation can take at least a month and includes:

• Drafting a conversation framework to outline the topic.
• Identifying and formulating key questions.
• Assigning roles, such as question launchers and summary writers.
• Scheduling emails and preparing templates.

This preparation ensures the conversation is structured and engaging.

6. Address member concerns to foster participation

Understand and address barriers to participation. Some members may hesitate to post due to language concerns or a perceived lack of expertise. D4Ag’s perception survey revealed that such fears are common, not individual weaknesses. Sharing these insights encouraged more members to contribute, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.

7. Build a core group of champions

A thriving community needs a core group of committed individuals who maintain momentum and drive discussions. These individuals should believe in the community’s mission and focus on delivering value to its members.

8. Learn and grow with others

Collaborate with experienced partners to develop your skills. D4Ag’s partnership with the Dgroups Foundation helped the team improve their ability to plan and facilitate online discussions, providing a replicable structure for future conversations.

9. Cultivate a strong online presence

For young professionals, a strong online presence is essential for career development. As Giacomo advises, it’s not just about being visible but about the quality and content of your presence. Engaging as an administrator, facilitator, or active member of a community platform can enhance your professional reputation, build meaningful connections, and showcase your expertise.