Bridging the Gap between Users and Earth Observations: The NASA Capacity
Building Program’s Approach to Engagement
Abstract
NASA’s Capacity Building Program (CBP) works to empower communities
around the globe to use Earth observation data and products in their
decision making. Working through program and element activities, CBP
developed a theoretical framework for engagement focused around user
needs which identifies the appropriate path for engagement based on
geography, discipline, data needs and availability, depth of support
required, partnerships involved, length of engagement, and desired
outcomes. These decision factors would determine which CBP element would
take on the effort – ARSET, DEVELOP, or SERVIR, and which approach
would be implemented – trainings or co-development. Each approach
offers participants different benefits and leads to outcomes that fall
on a spectrum from increased awareness to sustained use of Earth
observations. However, implementation of this framework across multiple
programs with differing constraints has been challenging. This
presentation will highlight the CBP framework and its user-centric
approach, capacity building methods and incentives, metrics and tracking
indicators, challenges, and lessons learned.