The Mitigation and Adaptation Information Network (MAIN) for sustainable communities is an Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based initiative designed to enable the sharing of knowledge and experience for purposes of promoting innovation and capacity building in local green economy activities. In short, MAIN is a communications and learning platform by and for local communities and practitioners.
In November 2010 GRID-Arendal organised a MAIN pilot workshop addressing small-scale renewable energy solutions and good practices for selected potential community partner organisations in East-Africa. The objective of the workshop was to identify capacity development needs, practical examples, impact indicators and framework specifications for a MAIN knowledge platform for community based capacity development in East Africa.
IN A NUTSHELL: MAIN is an ICT platform of change agents for more sustainable communities. MAIN works with NGOs and grassroots organisations in both a rural and urban context, spanning North and South, in support of social innovation and knowledge sharing to foster sustainable livelihoods. MAIN works with state-of-the-art ICT technology to collect and present environmental data and information, social networking, and capacity development in support of planning, management and decision-making.
See films featuring discussions that took place during a MAIN pilot-workshop held in Kenya in November 2010: