WASHINGTON, D.C. — Results for Development today launched two new resources to support Collaborative Learning, an approach that brings people together who face common challenges to systematically share and adapt knowledge and produce new ideas to successfully tackle complex global development challenges. Collaborative Learning is also a powerful approach to support locally-led development, by ensuring country leaders set their own learning agenda, centering their expertise and strengthening the ability of local and regional institutions to implement systems improvements. The resources include a toolkit and an open access e-learning course on how to facilitate collaborative learning.
- A Toolkit: Designing and Facilitating Collaborative Learning Networks: This toolkit — which includes 6 modules — explains what Collaborative Learning is, why it’s an effective approach to support locally-led development and systems strengthening, and unpacks the 10 essential ingredients for successful Collaborative Learning Networks. A Collaborative Learning Network (CLN) brings together members who have common challenges and goals to systematically learn from each other and co-create solutions.
- E-Learning Course: Facilitating Collaborative Learning: This free, online learning resource enables change agents, donors and other global development partners to better understand Collaborative Learning methods and develop the necessary skills to facilitate the Collaborative Learning process effectively. The course includes three modules: Foundational Concepts and Skills for Collaborative Learning Facilitation, Designing and Managing a Collaborative Learning Process, and Capturing Knowledge and Evaluating a Collaborative Learning Process. The highly interactive e-course — which includes videos, quizzes, and more — is designed to be self-paced and modular. Users may skip to topics of interest or follow the modules sequentially to build a strong foundation in Collaborative Learning facilitation. It will take approximately 4–6 hours to complete all 3 modules.
“Collaborative Learning centers the deep — and often under-recognized — expertise of country leaders and implementers to address complex global development challenges,” said Amanda Folsom, R4D’s Collaborative Learning practice lead. “To be successful, Collaborative Learning also requires skilled technical facilitation and network management. This toolkit and e-learning course can support current and future facilitators, network managers and funders to design, implement, evaluate, and improve Collaborative Learning, thereby deepening their support for locally-led development.”
Collaborative Learning has increasingly become an important and effective approach in global development. As the development community works to empower local actors in global development, support sustainable systems strengthening, and advance toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Collaborative Learning provides a demand-driven, action learning-oriented approach that can support change agents in low and middle-income countries to accelerate progress toward their development goals. Collaborative Learning Networks (or “communities of practice”) have been used in many fields and over the past decade, are now they are gaining traction in global development as an innovative and improved model of technical assistance.
At its core, Collaborative Learning is a systematic cycle of learning and action among peers that is iterative, adaptive and highly practical. Collaborative Learning starts with building a learning community among a group of peers, identifying common challenges, and jointly setting a learning agenda.
Results for Development (R4D) — which is celebrating its 15th anniversary — has been a leader in establishing the Collaborative Learning approach in global development and was an original co-founder of the Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage (JLN). Since its founding in 2010, the JLN has grown from 6 original member countries to 34, facilitated 30+ learning collaboratives and exchanges, and produced 60+ knowledge products that have helped member countries expand health insurance coverage to marginalized and hard-to-reach populations.
In addition to the JLN, R4D has managed and facilitated over 20 action-oriented CLNs that have accelerated systems strengthening and the achievement of development outcomes in health, education and nutrition. They include the Strategic Purchasing Africa Resource Center, the Linked Immunisation Action Network, the Partnership for Evidence and Equity in Responsive Social Systems (PEERSS), and the Early Childhood Workforce Initiative, among others.
Learn more about R4D’s Collaborative Learning practice here.
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About Results for Development
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — supporting them as they navigate complex change processes to achieve large-scale, equitable outcomes in health, education and nutrition. We work with country leaders to diagnose challenges, co-create, innovate and implement solutions built on evidence and diverse stakeholder input, and engage in learning to adapt, iterate and improve. We also strengthen global, regional and country ecosystems to support country leaders with expertise, evidence, and innovations. R4D helps country leaders solve their immediate challenges today, while also strengthening systems and institutions to address tomorrow’s challenges. And we share what we learn so others around the world can achieve results for development too. www.R4D.org
