decision-making in an uncertain world

Ewen Le Borgne, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre

Achieving greater use and impact of research through the learning alliance

approach (and other multi-stakeholder processes)

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

Outline

• The context – a complex sector in a changing world

• The idea – multi-stakeholder processes

• The works – what it takes, results, challenges

• The future – what is really at stake here?

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

The context (1): a complex sector in a changing world

• Wicked problems need

integrated solutions

- Poverty is a wicked problem

- Urban water management =

wicked problem within a

complex system

- How can research help reduce

fragmentation?

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

The context (2): a complex sector in a changing world

• Potential research bottlenecks

- Addressing demand/ felt

problems?

- Institutional framework?

- Promoting innovation?

- Timely outputs?

- Beyond the island of success /

Scaling up?

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

The context (3): a complex sector in a changing world

• The hampering environment

- Coordination?

- Learning?

- Participation?

- Social inclusion?

- The challenge: Creating

coherence through common

understanding, joint vision,

joint action (ownership)

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

The idea (1): Multiple Stakeholder Processes

MSPs that encourage social change and cooperation- Bilateral partnerships

- Peer networks / CoPs

- Exchange platforms

- Resource centre networks

- Multi-stakeholder forums

- Learning alliances

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

The idea (2): The Learning Alliance model

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

Innovation

Scaling up

National platform

District platform

Global platform

Global

National

Intermediate

Community

• Addressing common problems

• Diverse types of stakeholders

• Connected at various levels

• Learning, innovating, scaling up

• Doing things differently, not doing

different things: action research,

short cycle communication, learning

and dissemination

• …in fancy animation…

The idea (3): The Learning Alliance model

• Typical steps:

• Assessing situation, demand and

expressing needs

• Joint visioning

• Communication strategy early on:

meetings, website, working

papers, exposure visits etc.

• Outcomes monitored using

appropriate methods

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

The idea (4): The Learning Alliance model

The intensity ladder

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

Partial exchange

of information

Joint discussion

Collaborative research

Joint work planning

Systematic learning with

common vision

Joint learning

Concerted action

Joint action

Exerting influenceat scale

Joint advocacy

and impact

Implementationat scale

Joint planning

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

Some examples of Learning AlliancesEmpowers project: MENA region –

Local water governance

RiPPLE project: Ethiopia & Nile region– Governance, productive uses of water

SWITCH Project 9 citiesIUWM SWITCH

inter–city IUWM LA platform for inter-city learning

AlexandriaLA platform

Belo Horizonte LA Platform

Birmingham LA platform

Accra LA platform

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

The works (1): What it takes?

• Engaging key stakeholders

• Structured action learning

• Excellent facilitation

• Recognised legitimacy of various

knowledge sources (local vs.

scientific)

• Deal consciously with politics and

power

• Develop capacity for participation

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

The works (2): Tangible results

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

• EMPOWERS: Greater inclusion, improved governance

(guidelines and other outputs)…

• MUS: Improved self-reliance, more funding for MUS…

• SWITCH: Municipal recognition of research, scaling up

the LA approach (Poland)…

• RiPPLE: Increased scheme rehabilitation, more funding

for WASH, national learning forum…

Generally: valuing and promoting knowledge generated

together and research (capacity)

The works (3): Challenges?

• Managing high expectations

• Keeping up momentum / interest

• Bridging different interests, cultures

and approaches

• Accommodating project design and

demand-led research

• Funding for facilitation of learning

alliances is not secure

• How to demonstrate the value?

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

The future: What is at stake here?

• Need for a clear ‘hypothesis of change’ / intervention logic

• Increased attention to slow / qualitative development

• Clever proposal development and flexible donors to

design demand-led science

• Underestimated costs of multi-stakeholder processes

• Social learning and coordination for an effective sector

• Tailored impact evaluation is vital for learning projects

“What do you think?”

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

For more information:

• SWITCH:

www.switchurbanwater.eu/learningalliances

• RiPPLE: www.rippleethiopia.org

• MUS: www.musproject.net

• WASHCost: www.irc.nl/page/39103

• Ewen Le Borgne (leborgne@irc.nl) and any other

contributor from this session…

• And fill up the follow-up form to be kept posted!

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2