Preserving Development Knowledge

A collaborative community dedicated to rescuing and preserving critical development knowledge from USAID and partner institutions for current and future practitioners worldwide.

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1,612
Community Members
150+
Resources Rescued
20+
Active Projects
Knowledge Preserved

Our Mission

The USAID Knowledge Rescue initiative is a grassroots effort to preserve critical development knowledge, resources, and institutional memory that might otherwise be lost due to organizational changes and transitions.

We believe that development knowledge belongs to the global community and should remain accessible to practitioners, researchers, and organizations working to create positive change around the world.

Our community brings together development professionals, knowledge management experts, librarians, and advocates to collaboratively identify, rescue, and preserve valuable resources for future generations.

What We're Doing

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Resource Identification

Systematically identifying valuable knowledge products, databases, and resources at risk of being lost during institutional transitions.

💾

Digital Preservation

Creating digital archives and mirrors of websites, databases, and online platforms to ensure continued access to critical information.

🤝

Platform Partnerships

Collaborating with organizations like NextGenU.org, BEAM Exchange, and others to find permanent homes for rescued resources.

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Knowledge Transfer

Facilitating the transfer of tacit knowledge through interviews, documentation, and story collection from experienced practitioners.

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Community Building

Creating networks of volunteers and experts who can contribute their skills and knowledge to preservation efforts.

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Strategic Coordination

Coordinating multiple workstreams to ensure comprehensive coverage and avoid duplication of efforts across the community.