Slide 1

The Horizontal Learning Program

Horizontal learning is a Union Parishad led peer-to-peer learning program that is facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and supported by numerous development partners and donors.

The Bangladesh Horizontal Learning program was initiated in 2007 by the lowest tier of local government.. the Union Parishad.1The Horizontal Learning ProcessHORIZONTALLEARNINGPROGRAMReplicate through holding handsValidate best practicesIdentify best practicesLearn viaAppreciativeinquiryDiscuss with citizens and integrate into the ADPPrioritize practices to replicate Horizontal learning is a structured process that supports the innate human ability to acquire tacit skills through copying the very best of what others do

In this process Union Parishads connect with each other to identify, review and apply the best practices of others within their own local context using their own resources. 2Relation to Capacity BuildingThe bottom-up process compliments top-down capacity building

Capacity BuildingStarting Point?DeficiencyWhat?Should be Who teaches?ExpertsWho decides?Program doesWhy?To meet standardsWhere?ClassroomWhat knowledge?Codified knowledgeResult?Increased CapacityHorizontal LearningCapacityIs working PeersSelf selectionTo address my needsField basedTacit knowledgeIncreased ConfidenceWhat works?What to teach?

Where capacity building assumes a deficiency in capacity, horizontal learning starts from the assumption that capacities already exist which strengthens the enabling environment for capacity building programs.3Self-Refining AdaptationField based replication continually refines best practices

E.g. Arsenic screening from Chowgacha is replicated by Chapai Nawabganj to ensure 100% water sources are screened, protected, registered, operated & maintained.

Under horizontal learning, the changes in context in different settings are an opportunity for creativeness rather than a barrier to roll out.4Strengthens Social AccountabilityField based peer review prioritizes downward accountability E.g. The connecting of open budget to the raising of holding tax developed in Tarash has been replicated in 92 UPs with up to a ten-fold increase in own source revenues.

The process strengthens downward accountability because it does not deploy any upward accountability instruments.5Facilitates Role SeparationUPs ensure quality services for all rather than provide services to someE.g. UPs in Rajarhat are ensuring 100% latrinization, 100% arsenic screening, 100% birth registration, 100% school enrolment (children > 6 years), 100% tax payment.

Having little funds and few functionaries, Union Parishads tend to focus their social and legal resources on ensuring basic services for all. 6Strengthens InclusionAppreciative inquiry offers opportunities for everyone to contribute E.g. The Mohila Forum of elected female UP members in Tarash has improved the targeting of ration cards for lactating mothers, the oversight of 1/3 of the development works and the eradication of early marriages.

The spirit of appreciative inquiry emphasizes the contributions of all and brings out the latent potential of those who were undervalued.7Prioritizes Indigenous KnowledgeLocal choice in the local context favours local knowledge and practices. E.g. The use of folk songs in Shymnagar and Ghambira / Alkap in Chapai Nawabganj and local technologies for achieving eco-friendly villages in Khanshama.

Starting from the position of what we have rather than what we dont prioritizes pre-existing cultural and natural resources.8Limitations of Horizontal LearningExternal agents can not impose anything under HL E.g. Best practices are determined by UPs and projects are leveraged by the peer-to-peer collectives of UPs (not by the facilitating or supporting agencies).

SIPP CBOsLGSPNILGPlanCBOsWANGO / CBOsLICLGSP-LICHYSAWADANIDAShariqueSDCJICAPRDP-2: Link ModelsWhat are the deficiencies in capacity?WBWhat capacities do we already have? 66 UP6 upazila8 upazila13 upazilaHORIZONTAL LEARNING PROCESSAppreciationInnovationPartnershipsConfidence128 UP82 UP?? upazila??UPWhat has worked!

There are many instruments through which we can impose our will on local governments. Horizontal learning compliments this by encouraging Union Parishads to innovate. 9Leverages Policy ChangesPractices that are replicated often have a legitimacy to inform policyE.g. Chowgacha, Chapai Nawabganj and Rajarhat UPs leveraged the revision of the Implementation Plan for Arsenic Mitigation (IPAM) based on the their best practices.

Under this approach, policy reform is preceded by the successful replication of practice across numerous Union Parishads. 10Scaling-up of Horizontal Learning

In 2007/8: 48 Union Parishads, 5 Upazillas, 21 best practices & 5 partnersIn 2008/9: 128 UPs, 13 Upazillas, 16 replicated practices & 18 partnersFuture: 621 UPs, 69 Upazillas, 7 Districts, 40 best practices & 50 partnersVision: 4498 UPs, 509 Upazilas, 64 Districts, 100s best practices & 100s partnersScaling-up occurs naturally at the Ward, Upazilla & District levels

Initially the logistical & facilitation support for the horizontal learning process is quite intense to establish connections and gain exposure to good practices. However, as horizontal learning scales-up, the transaction cost reduces significantly. 11Improves Partner HarmonizationUP leadership tends to drive harmonization from the bottom-upE.g. Changed mindsets of government representatives, partners & donors has been accompanied by a growth in partners from 5 to 18 in less than 2 years.

Horizontal learning has offered to many partners a local practice-based platform around which they want to harmonize. 12