Continuous joint learning is crucial for a strong and adaptive water and sanitation sector. In the past 2 years, we have been reflecting on the ways in which national Water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) Resource Centre Networks (RCN) support learning in their WASH sectors. IRC and RCN coordinators in 5 countries have been sharing experiences and gathering evidence of change that result from learning between organisations and at sector level. See http://www.irc.nl/page/50054

1. Emerging lessons on Sector Learning with WASH Resource
Centre Networks
July 2012, Carmen da Silva Wells

2. Overview of presentation
• Exploring sector learning:
PSO programme
• What is sector learning?
• Towards a framework for
tracking sector learning
• Progress
• Challenges
• Reflections and
Implications, what next?
2 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

3. The PSO-supported programme
• PSO
• Phase 1 (2009-2010)
phase 2 (2011-July
2012)
• 5 countries: Burkina
Faso, Ghana,
Honduras, Nepal and
Uganda
3 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

4. Reflexive Monitoring in Action (RMA)
• Method for exploring the
concept of ‘sector learning’
• Clarifying steps and
assumptions:
– 2021 Vision
– Theory of change: outcomes
– Stories of change
– Joint reflection: workshops
skype chats on learning
questions, wiki
4 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

5. Why sector learning?
• A dynamic, mature
sector needs ongoing
spread
support
reform
learning to support
innova
tions
respon
stakeholders to
meet challenges
d to
challe
nges
and to adapt to
change”. (Leaflet sector
learning 2008/2009)
improve service delivery
5 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

6. How does sector learning help?
Sector learning contributes to
better performance by:
• Providing evidence-based
learning Developing
new
• Developing and validating knowlegde
approaches etc
• Facilitating use of knowledge
• Organising time and space Joint
for reflection reflection
• Developing capacities to
upscale innovations
Capacity
• Developing capacities to development
adapt to changing
circumstances
(Leaflet sector learning 2008/2009)
6 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

7. Working definition sector learning
• Sector learning is the ability of sector
stakeholders to jointly systemise the
capture and sharing of experiences in the
sector and to develop joint capacity to
reflect on these lessons in order to adapt
and improve service delivery.
7 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

8. Important elements of sector learning
•Sector learning for responsive and improved
WASH governance and services (CHANGE)
• Joint learning by range of actors (need to
explore who is in/out) at different institutional
levels
• Sector learning includes:
a) change in understanding and behavior,
b) that goes beyond the individual, and
c) occurs through interactions between actors in
network.
8 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

9. Towards a framework for tracking sector
learning
(RMA Workshop April 2011)
9 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

10. Towards a framework for tracking sector
learning
Effects New insights/ Changes of Institutional
knowledge behaviour, changes
practices,
action
Person
Organisation
Network
Sector
‘learning effect framework’ (RMA Workshop April 2011)
Sector learning: New insights and practices at sector level, and ultimately institutional
changes
10

11. A dynamic, coordinated
Learning WASH sector that
Uganda provides equitable and
sustainable WASH services
Policy makers, A vibrant sharing
planners, service reflection and
Progress on outcome
providers, donors, coordination platform Sector policies allow for Existence of human and
communities are aware
and performUn-expected: Series of
exists continuous improvement financial resources to
their in WASH service run the sector
meetings led to a
responsibilities provision
round- table meeting on
learning with key sector
stakeholders Ministry,
donors and UWASNET. Planned activities:
Discussions are now 1. Mapping existing learning
around mandate for initiatives of RCN and Sector
learning in the sector. 2. Conduct a study on how to
Ministry with support institutionalize learning in the
from Triple -S is sector
carrying out a study on 3. Document the learning
how to mainstream processes
learning in the sector.
11 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

12. Theory of Change (ToC) Commonalities
• Improved sector harmonisation
and coordination
• Sustainable and lasting services
provision
• A sector that is improving
continuously and adapts when
needed
• A sector that uses shared
approaches and mechanisms
• A sector that documents and
shares good practices.
Ghana ToC 2011: a knowledge-
12 driven sector

13. Theory of Change differences
• Broad focus on sector
(knowledge driven) -vs-
learning in the network (role
driven).
• Focus on decentralised
learning and decision making
processes at lowest level -vs-
focus on national level.
• Need for links with education
sector to improve human
capacity not raised in each Part of BF ToC 2011: municipalities
ToC. have assessed learning needs and
identified funding sources
13 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

14. Progress
• From 2002 onwards gradual move towards sector
learning, capacities of RCN built to facilitate
multistakeholder learning
• Lots of interest by sector stakeholders for KM and
learning, and increased recognition of RCN.
• RCNs still mainly focus on single learning/
documentation loop, but some progress on change at
institutional level
14 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

15. Stories of change
Stories Highlights
Decentralisation of WASH Resource Centres Support for Regional RC, coordinating committees
(Nepal) mandatory at all administrative levels
Multi-stakeholder Thematic groups provide evidence
Thematic groups become mechanism for based information and practical products which lead to
sector learning and sector change (Honduras) change in practice & policy
Acknowledgement of importance of KM and KM, coordination, joint review seen as crucial for
network in facilitating knowledge sharing sector, RCNN positioned itself with info products, KM
(Nepal) strategy, events
NLLAP meeting and documentation generated
Budget tracking of national WASH budget
discussion and contributed to budget tracking exercise,
(Ghana)
transparency
RCN engaged in planning, facilitation and publicity of
Increased demand for sector learning
key sector events. Recognition and commitment by key
products and services of network (Ghana)
sector players
KM study highlighted key gaps and generated new
Towards knowledge management and sector
initiatives, CB activities have increased documentation
learning (Burkina Faso)
in sector
Linking national and district sector learning Linking lessons from different levels leads to upscaling
15
(Uganda) and institutionalising learning

16. Challenges
• Support to RCNs from IRC different in different countries.
• Staff turnover.
• Making time for joint reflection.
• Competition RC host and network members.
• Contested mandate of the network for KM/ learning.
• Network requires on-going inputs, support and energy and
coordinators are overstretched.
16 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

17. Looking ahead
Sustainability?
• To get real commitment, especially government, we need to clarify what sector
learning is, how it makes a difference and how we can measure this difference.
Effectiveness?
• IRC could benefit from more research into the ability of RCs to catalyse learning.
Sensemaker or other method could be used to supplement stories collected.
• Are IRC supporting the right RC partners?
• We need to also look at a range of learning mechanisms in a country, so not only
RCs, but also LAs, sector working groups, coordination platforms, joint technical
reviews etc.
• Still many questions on institutionalizing learning (beyond projects), linking
learning at different levels, measuring learning. More innovative work for IRC
and partners to do…resources?
17 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs

18. Find out more
• RCNs and sector learning on our thematic pages:
http://www.irc.nl/page/50054
• We blog about our lessons here:
http://learningforchange.wordpress.com/category/sector-learning/
• Watch these videos about what sector learning means in 5 focus
countries:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL893F938E027D9EF9
• Reflexive Monitoring in Action guide:
http://www.com.wur.nl/UK/publications/RF
18 Sector Learning with WASH RCNs