Knowman worked with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) to characterise a recently-formed community of practice and make recommendations for its success.

DG INTPA wants to create a Foresight culture and promote the use of Foresight tools to inform its work. To that effect, it launched an internal community of practice.

For this project, Knowman worked in partnership with Maria João Freitas, Consultoria Colaborativa, Lda., both companies as subcontractors of Abilways S.A.

Together, Knowman and Maria João Freitas, scanned the young community of practice to:

• create a picture of the community;
• identify opportunities, challenges and risks;
• become an initial benchmark to support the ongoing evaluation; and
• inform the necessary actions to ensure the community’s impact, vitality, longevity and autonomy.

The final report included:

• information of members profiles (e.g., members characteristics, motivations, expectations, type and levels of participation);
• data of community dynamics (e.g., complexity, contents and activities, agendas, vitality, drivers and obstacles);
• details about community operation (e.g., organisation and communication, platforms, facilitation practices);
• considerations regarding the strategic placement of the community within the DG itself;
• risks and opportunities for improvement and development; and,
• many recommendations.

Some elements in the report