Review of CoP-MfDR Pilot Phase Review of CoP-MfDR Pilot Phase Third International Roundtable on Managing for Development Results Hanoi, Vietnam February 5-8, 2007 Sharing Experiences and Lessons Learned

Objectives To share the experience of pilot operation of CoP-MfDR in terms of achievements, progress, issues and challenges To share the experience of pilot operation of CoP-MfDR in terms of achievements, progress, issues and challenges To share and discuss the lessons learned for replication and scale-up in other regions To share and discuss the lessons learned for replication and scale-up in other regions

Introduction of CoP The “community of practice” is a particular type of network that features peer-to-peer collaborative activities to build member skills as well as organizational and societal capabilities. The “community of practice” is a particular type of network that features peer-to-peer collaborative activities to build member skills as well as organizational and societal capabilities. Organizations and researchers use a variety of terms to describe similar phenomena, such as “learning networks,” “knowledge communities,” “competency net-works,” “thematic groups,” etc. Organizations and researchers use a variety of terms to describe similar phenomena, such as “learning networks,” “knowledge communities,” “competency net-works,” “thematic groups,” etc. The essential features of CoP-MfDR are: The essential features of CoP-MfDR are: Demand driven Peer to Peer Learning VLN Informal Voluntary

Background of CoP-MfDR Launched in March 2006 with the vision: Launched in March 2006 with the vision: ‘ To contribute to the enhancement of sustainable capacity for results management among countries in Asia and the Pacific’. ‘ To contribute to the enhancement of sustainable capacity for results management among countries in Asia and the Pacific’. with main focus: with main focus: To establish the mutual trust among members, sharing their ideas, and experiences through informal discussions. To establish the mutual trust among members, sharing their ideas, and experiences through informal discussions. with key practices thru VLN: with key practices thru VLN: First such kind of effort (virtual learning network) in developing countries with different languages and different development stages and is totally a new concept and a challenging initiative. First such kind of effort (virtual learning network) in developing countries with different languages and different development stages and is totally a new concept and a challenging initiative.

CoP-MfDR Structure & Key Functions Four layered structure: Four layered structure: Coordinating Committee[5] Coordinating Committee[5] Core group members[30] Core group members[30] MfDR experts and donor/partners[20] MfDR experts and donor/partners[20] Peripheral members[100] Peripheral members[100] Commitment to contribute towards three key outcomes: Commitment to contribute towards three key outcomes: Improved institutional coordination and cooperation of planning, budgeting and implementing agencies within governments; Improved institutional coordination and cooperation of planning, budgeting and implementing agencies within governments; Enhanced capacity development thru sharing good practices and information on MfDR, Enhanced capacity development thru sharing good practices and information on MfDR, Improved awareness-raising and country ownership thru deepened understanding of MfDR principles and practices. Improved awareness-raising and country ownership thru deepened understanding of MfDR principles and practices.

Structural Layers

 Interim Coordination Committee (ICC) meetings  Online discussions Expert-led discussion 4 topics Expert-led discussion 4 topics On-line postings and comments100 entries On-line postings and comments100 entries National/sectoral, project,20 papers National/sectoral, project,20 papers & civil society CoP members contributed20 papers CoP members contributed20 papers on three MfDR themes  Other key online activities Monthly newsletters Monthly newsletters CoP members Q & A CoP members Q & A CoP-MfDR Library with Members’ Collection and Country Folders CoP-MfDR Library with Members’ Collection and Country Folders MfDR Resource Center (250 files) MfDR Resource Center (250 files) MfDR Sourcebook translation MfDR Sourcebook translation Progress & Key Activities VLN Operation

Advantages of the CoP Format Participation Participation Voluntary vs compulsory Voluntary vs compulsory Developing countries’ voice Developing countries’ voice Working level practitioners’ voice Working level practitioners’ voice Both mid-income and low-income developing countries Both mid-income and low-income developing countries Networking Networking Build relationship & trust Build relationship & trust Learning experiences Learning experiences Sustainability Sustainability On-going vs single time activity On-going vs single time activity Flexible vs time-bound Flexible vs time-bound Modality Modality Free expression Free expression Personal opinions vs official capacity Personal opinions vs official capacity Informal vs informal Informal vs informal Information sharing Information sharing Resources—toolkits, reports, case studies etc Resources—toolkits, reports, case studies etc On-line library On-line library Cost-effective Cost-effective

Issues and Challenges: Virtual Learning Network Relevance of topics / focus: Relevance of topics / focus: Language barrier Language barrier “Online fatigue” “Online fatigue” CoP Library needs improvement CoP Library needs improvement Technical / access / website problems Technical / access / website problems Face-to-face events Build and maintain mutual trust Build and maintain mutual trust Focus on implementation on the ground Focus on implementation on the ground To serve as milestones of online discussions To serve as milestones of online discussions Format (training, study tours, workshops) Format (training, study tours, workshops) Frequency and size Frequency and size

Demand-driven topic selection Demand-driven topic selection Incentives for participation Incentives for participation Proper scheduling of online activities Proper scheduling of online activities Address language problem Address language problem Country-based CoPs in native language Country-based CoPs in native language Address technical problems Address technical problems Scaling up of CoP Scaling up of CoP Develop country-based or network-based CoPs (core group members are focal points) Develop country-based or network-based CoPs (core group members are focal points) Publish CoP member contributions Publish CoP member contributions Link with other MfDR or similar networks Link with other MfDR or similar networks Sustainable financing Sustainable financing Co-financing from other development partners Co-financing from other development partners Development partners reflect and respond to the voice of the CoP Development partners reflect and respond to the voice of the CoP Lessons Learned

THANKS