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The KS Toolkit Contest is live! Help us test and improve the toolkit by submitting methods, sharing resources, or reviewing existing content.
What is the Knowledge Sharing Toolkit?
What is the Knowledge Sharing Toolkit?
The Knowledge Sharing Toolkit (KS Toolkit) is a curated, collaborative collection of methods, tools, and resources for sharing knowledge in international development. Whether you're designing a participatory workshop, facilitating a community of practice, supporting leaning and collaboration, adapting and improving practices, the toolkit offers practical, field-tested options to support learning and collaboration, whether online or face-to-face.
It's more than a repository—it’s a space where knowledge practitioners share, adapt, and improve practices together.
A Brief History
A Brief History
The toolkit's journey began in 2005 and blossomed into reality in 2008, thanks to a dynamic partnership between the CGIAR ICT-KM program, FAO, UNDP, and UNICEF, with invaluable contributions from the KM4Dev community. Inspired by the pioneering KS workshops and supported by Nancy White of Full Circle Associates, the original toolkit was crafted on a wiki platform, embodying a bold commitment to openness, learning, and peer-to-peer exchange.
For many years, this toolkit stood as a global beacon for KS practitioners, guiding them until the onset of COVID. In 2023, recognizing the risk of losing this invaluable resource, the toolkit was revived with the unwavering support of FAO.
The Idea is Born
The Idea is Born
June 2005
Simone Staiger-Rivas (CGIAR) meets with Manuel Flury (SDC) and plants the seed for what will become the KS Toolkit.
Getting Set Up
Getting Set Up
End 2007 – Early 2008
Nancy White supports the creation of the initial wiki platform.
Early Use in Action
Early Use in Action
March 2008
The Toolkit starts being used in Knowledge Sharing online workshops—its unofficial launch!
Official Launch
Official Launch
May 2008
The KS Toolkit is formally introduced to the KM4Dev community.
KS Toolkit Days
KS Toolkit Days
November 2012
The first wiki crowdsourcing event takes place: two days of community-driven content updates and edits.
First Rescue Mission
First Rescue Mission
February 2018
Wikispaces announces closure. The first “Save the KS Toolkit!” campaign begins.
Second Rescue Mission
Second Rescue Mission
January 2022
The Toolkit is hacked by an Indian casino site, sparking a renewed effort to preserve and protect it.
A New Chapter Begins
A New Chapter Begins
June 2024
KM4Dev and FAO team up to revive the Toolkit, with Sophie Treinen and Davide Piga leading a collective push to reinvent it as an open, future-proof resource.
🎉 April 2025 – Toolkit 2.0 is Live!
🎉 April 2025 – Toolkit 2.0 is Live!
The future-ready KS Toolkit officially launches—a community-built, open, and evolving space for knowledge sharing.
The future-ready KS Toolkit officially launches—a community-built, open, and evolving space for knowledge sharing.
The 2025 Edition: Future-Proof and Community-Driven
The 2025 Edition: Future-Proof and Community-Driven
Thanks to a dedicated group of KM4Dev members, the toolkit has now been recovered, renovated, and relaunched.
The new edition builds on the rich legacy of the original while introducing a more future-proof design:
Modernized Interface: A user-friendly design that facilitates easy navigation and accessibility.
Expanded Content: Inclusion of updated methods and tools reflecting current best practices in knowledge sharing.
Interactive Features: Integration of custom GPTs to assist users in finding content, authoring articles, and navigating the toolkit through natural language queries.
The redesign reflects a renewed commitment to openness, usability, and shared stewardship. It is now hosted on a lightweight, adaptable platform and is ready to grow with the community.
Behind the Toolkit
Behind the Toolkit
The KS Toolkit is maintained by a volunteer Editorial Board made up of contributors from across the international development ecosystem — including UN agencies, INGOs, the private sector, and independent practice.
While composition may vary over time, the Board values diverse experience and perspectives in knowledge sharing. Membership is open to anyone aligned with the Toolkit’s mission, with a strong interest or background in knowledge management preferred.
Editors support the Toolkit by:
Reviewing new methods, tools, stories, and external resources
Responding to contributor feedback and edit suggestions
Coordinating outreach and content campaigns
Guiding the Toolkit’s strategic direction
Ensuring consistent quality and shared stewardship
The Editorial Board follows a lean, collaborative governance model, designed to evolve as the community grows. You can read the Editorial Board Charter to learn more about how the Board works, including roles, workflows, and rotation cycles.
If you’re interested in joining the Board, fill out this form to join the pool of prospective editors.
Editorial Board
Editorial Board
The following group of editors began their six-month term in May 2025, helping guide the Toolkit’s next phase as a community-led resource.
Original Creators
Original Creators
This toolkit was made possible by the vision and generosity of the original contributors, who laid the foundation for a truly open and collaborative knowledge-sharing space.
Renovation Team (2024–2025)
Renovation Team (2024–2025)
The 2025 redesign was led by a group of KM4Dev members committed to restoring and modernizing the toolkit for today’s needs.
Sponsoring Organizations
Sponsoring Organizations
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
We warmly acknowledge the many KM4Dev members and contributors who participated in the 2025 KS Toolkit Contest. Their input, feedback, and contributions helped test and refine the toolkit during its relaunch phase.
We also thank everyone who continues to share ideas, test methods, and contribute new content—ensuring that the toolkit remains a living, evolving resource.
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