1. Achieving greater use and impact of research through the learning alliance approach(and other multi-stakeholder processes) Ewen Le Borgne, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

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 3. Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 7. Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 8.

MSPs that encourage social change and cooperation

• - Bilateral partnerships

• - Peer networks / CoPs

• - Exchange platforms

• - Resource centre networks

• - Multi-stakeholder forums

• - Learning alliances

The idea (1):Multiple Stakeholder Processes Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 9. The idea (2):The Learning Alliance model Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2

Addressing common problems

Diverse types of stakeholders

Connected at various levels

Learning, innovating, scaling up

Doing thingsdifferently , not doing different things: action research, short cycle communication, learning and dissemination

in fancy animation

Innovation Scaling up National platform District platform Global platform Global National Intermediate Community 10. KEY CONCEPTS IN LAs 1 Different Institutional Levels 2 Multiple Stakeholders (roles) Global National Intermediate Community/end-user Donors Line ministries National Government Universities Banks Companies INGOs Offices of line ministries Local government Donor projects Local NGOs Local private sector Local Banks Extension officers Mechanics Donors Multilateral orgs. Advocacy orgs. Learning orgs Men/Women Rich/poor Domestic Productive 11. Global National Intermediate Community Donors Line ministries National platform Universities Banks Companies Local government Offices of line ministries Donor projects Local NGOs INGOs Local private sector Local Banks Extension officers Mechanics Donors Multilateral orgs. Advocacy orgs. Learning orgs Men/Women Rich/poor Domestic Productive Global platform National Government Intermediate platform Community platforms 3 Platforms Learning alliances: Linked stakeholder platforms At key institutional levels Supported by external facilitation Engaging in learning action research 5 Communication 4 Facilitation 12. 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 13. 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 learningwith common vision Joint learning Concerted actionJoint action Exerting influence at scale Joint advocacy and impact Implementation at scale Joint planning 14.

Empowers project: MENA region

Local water governance

RiPPLE project: Ethiopia & Nile region

Governance, productive uses of water

SWITCH Project

• 9 cities

• IUWM

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 Some examples of Learning Alliances SWITCH intercity IUWM LA platform for inter-city learning Alexandria LA platform Belo Horizonte LA Platform Birmingham LA platform Accra LA platform 15. Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 16. 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 17. 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)

18. 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 19. Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 20. 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 21.

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 ( [email_address] ) 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 22. Example: city of Lodz, Poland Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 23. Lodz Research focus

Natural approaches to river engineering: based onecohydrology principles

Restoring rivers, reducing flooding,reducing the levels of pollution in rivers

Sewage sludge for biomass energy

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 24. Linking science and demand

Linking research, demonstrations at scale and learning

Implementation through city office, developers

Agreed a shared vision

Finding opportunities to scale up and have more impact

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 25. Doing science differently

Views of a wastewater treatment plant manager:

• first attempt to improve communication between the different organisations and to provide a cross-institutional platform to share information and discuss water and sanitation issues

• overall picture of how everything is working together in the city

• addressing the issues in an integrated way

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 26.

Innovative ways of tracking and learning from the Learning Alliance approach:

Monitoring using s coring ladders for tracking qualitative change.

Process documentation: systematically reflect, analyse and discover patterns that help or hinder change (interviews, articles, photos and film).

Doing science differently: assessing progressIstanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2 27. Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.2.2