Outlook from openIMIS Coordination Desk

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In the last plenary meeting of the openIMIS community, the member of the coordination desk gave an overview of tools to promote the open-source software and an outlook on the future of openIMIS. The focus was on persuading partners to adopt the platform, collaborating with development partners, and promoting capacity development. Additionally, the importance of community engagement and the use of tools to enhance participation were emphasized.

Promoting Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:

 Saurav Bhattarai emphasized that the goal of openIMIS is to convince partners to implement the platform. He expressed the willingness to advocate on behalf of partners with other development partners and agencies to secure the necessary resources for implementation. The coordination desk was identified as the point of contact for governments and other development partners seeking assistance in securing investments.

Capacity development:

In the realm of capacity development, openIMIS will continue its collaboration with regional hubs in Asia and Africa. Special attention was given to the need for revitalizing the French-speaking community to facilitate exchange. It was emphasized that openIMIS aims to expand upon the existing e-learning courses and provide additional trainings and analog support. The objective is to enhance implementation capabilities and improve user's business processes.

Community Engagement and Collaboration:

The presentation underscored the significance of the community as a key factor for the success of openIMIS. It was stressed that ongoing exchange and collaboration within the community are crucial. Participants were encouraged to contribute their thoughts and expertise to discussions. Reference was made to existing reports and experiences from other projects that could contribute to the convergence of functionalities. Virtual channels were recommended as platforms for continuous exchange and discussions.

Communication Materials:

The coordination desk showcased the efforts to further promote the openIMIS initiative. Therefore, key communication channels were presented which are:

·       Website

·       Newsletter

·       Twitter

·       YouTube

·       e-learning course

·       Communication starter-kit on Wiki

During the community meeting, it became clear once again that the amount of French content needs to be increased and improved. The Coordination Desk therefore announced that a French version of the website will be available in the near future. The presenters also made it clear that marketing also crucially depends on the implementations on site. So far, there is a lack of experience reports from people in the field who are already using openIMIS successfully.

Conclusion: 

The outlook on openIMIS highlighted efforts to promote partnerships, mobilize resources for implementation, advance capacity development, and increase engagement within the community. The focus on collaboration, knowledge exchange, and leveraging available tools will contribute to the success of openIMIS. By fostering a strong and active community, openIMIS aims to achieve its objective of improving implementation and expanding its reach.