Learning Alliances: what, why, how, who?, Uganda

TRIPLE-S LEARNING ALLIANCES

What, why, how, who?

WATER SERVICES THAT LAST …2

HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND ‘LEARNING’

A conscious and systematic process toward changing behaviour, attitudes and values.

...Joint information collection, analysis, reflection and sense making about systemic problems to understand why things are they way they are to support identification of appropriate solutions that have a wide base of support.


PURPOSE OF ASSESSING LA’S/MSP’S

What ingredients are needed for a successful Learning Alliance?

To what extent are Learning Alliances effective catalysts for achieving sector learning and adaptive management / change?

What resources are required to ensure a viable Learning Alliance


STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF A LEARNING ALLIANCE APPROACH

1. Feedback mechanism between different Multi Stakeholder Platforms

2. Generate concrete evidence on WASH challenges, solutions and innovations

3. To create a critical mass of change agents for rural water services that last

4. Accelerate the process of generating information, joint reflection, sense making, planning and adaption


ASSESSING THE LEARNING ALLIANCE: KEY STEPS

• Mapping the ‘system’ we understand constitutes the Learning Alliance

• Defining ‘learning our understanding of learning

• Identifying outcomes Learning Facilitation and opportunities for changes to way of working

• Identifying criteria for a viable Learning Alliance

• Developing an indicator framework for assessing the Learning Alliance

• Adapting the indicator framework into a learning and coordination model


PLACEHOLDER FOR MSP / LA MAP

Joint Sector Review – Stakeholder Forum

Inter District Meeting

TSU Review

Regional Learning Forums

District Water and Sanitation Coordination

Committees

Sub-County Water and Sanitation Coordination

Committees

National

Regional

District

Sub-County

Level

NLFCSO

WASH Foru

m

Functionality

MIS others

DPs

JTR

TSU

DWO

DWODWO

CAO

LC V

CSOs

TSUHPMA Chair

Mandatory

Key:Media

Non-mandatory

NWSCDist

Health Dept

= reporting

= info flow


MULTI STAKEHOLDER PLATFORM ANALYSISNATIONAL LEVEL

Joint Sector Review – Stakeholder ForumFrequency: AnnualOrganizer: MWE

Rationale of the Platform• Reflection on performance against sector performance measurement framework•Accountability forum for MWE, Development partners, legislators & District Local governments

Form of Platform• Formal

Strategic Objectives/Intended Outcomes• Identify priority actions/undertakings to improve sector performance

Type of Facilitation• MWE led and Funded• MWE sets the Agenda


MULTI STAKEHOLDER PLATFORM ANALYSISNATIONAL LEVEL

Civil Society WASH ForumFrequency : 1x annuallyOrganiser : CSO-led, funded by UWASNET

Rationale of the Platform• Enable CSOs to have greater, more effective contributions to the sector• Show casing CSOs and sharing practices• Advocacy to National level on specific sector issues

Form of Platform• Voluntary Membership

Strategic Objectives/Intended Outcomes• Advocacy platform• Messages for Joint Sector Review• Joint analysis and exchange of experiences among members

Type of Facilitation• UWASNET-Funded• UWASNET Leads agenda setting


CHALLENGE TO FACILITATION OF LA’S

The LA facilitation function is largely ‘behind the scenes’ – evaluating and communicating the value of facilitation function is all the more important


RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Testing the Learning Alliance Criteria & Indicator Framework to answer the following questions

1. Is the LA indicator framework effective tool for monitoring and evaluating the learning alliance?

2. How, and to what extent, does the learning alliance approach influence change in sector priorities, policies and practice?

3. How best can the learning alliance approach be anchored in the sector for adapting policy, practice and encouraging innovation?

4. What resources are required to implement a learning alliance approach?

Criteria Indicator1 Leadership is known

and owned1.a Recognised leader1.b Owns the leadership role1.c Connection with Facilitation Function, regular contact

2 Facilitation is skilled and committed

2.a Facilitation function exists2.b facilitation position remunerated2.c Function profile based on competencies2.d Facilitator has required time available2.3 (see 1.c) regular & positive connection with Alliance Leader

3 Common vision, goal and strategy

3.a Process to agree on common vision, goal and strategy conducted3.b written, documented vision, goal and strategy3.c (Joint Agenda exists) Agreement on Joint Agenda

4 Joint Agenda5 Alliance Membership 5.a relevant multi-disciplinary WASH sector expertise represented in

LA5.b Consistent participation (with content and decision taking power)

Criteria Indicator6 Feedback mechanisms / links

between horizontal and vertical MSPs

6.a conscious effort to engage with / invite key agents from other levels (vertical and platforms (horizontal)6.b active follow-up on thematic, process and joint agenda matters across levels (horz. & vertical) 6.c Timely sharing of information (reports, document, newletters, etc) from Platform to different levels

7 Local Champion 7.a Agencies & persons with interest 8 Communication &

documentation strategy8.a Communication & documentation strategy, plan and financial arrangements exist8.b Channels to ensure upward & downward and horizontal, timely sharing of information8.c tailored information products to different groups

9 Joint Action & Monitoring Plan

9.a meeting / events generate joint action plan9.b Sharing status on progress with action plans

10 Joint sharing & reflection of results (+/-)

10.a joint sharing & reflection of results for improved action

11 Joint resources mobilisation 11.a LA members commit resources towards activities


CONCRETE ACTIVITIES TO BE DONE

1. Translating the learning alliance criteria and frame work into a Learning & Coordination model for the sector

2. Analysis of costs required to implement and sustain the learning and coordination model

3. Detailed documentation on the Triple-S perspective of the what, why, who, where, when, how of the LA Approach

Completed by: 01/11/2013

Technology

Learning Alliances: what, why, how, who?, Uganda