Presents an M&E framework for social learning, intended for application by a wide range of initiatives using social learning-oriented approaches. The aim is to systematically collect evidence on 1) the contexts/activities that lead to effective social learning and 2) when/how social learning contributes to better and more sustainable development outcomes. Includes a theory of change and 30 key indicators spread across 4 monitoring areas: iterative learning, engagement, capacity development and challenging institutions.
Jost C, Sebastian L, Kristjanson P, Förch W (2014)
In Southeast Asia CCAFS has involved partners and next-users from the very beginning of the process, so that their voices and priorities form the foundation of the regional theory of change. CCAFS is learning from them, and with them co-developing our research agenda.
Jost C, Kristjanson P, Vervoort J, Alvarez S, Ferdous N, Förch W. (2014)
In 2010 the research theme on Knowledge to Action (K2A) at CCAFS developed a plan of work, using a log frame structure. Our objective was to explore and jointly apply approaches and methods that enhance K2A linkages with a wide range of partners at local, regional and global levels. Since then, the K2A theme has supported a variety of projects with the potential to catalyse action from research-generated knowledge. These projects were cutting edge; high risk but with potential for real impact should they succeed.
One of the outcomes of the initial 2012 CCSL workshop was the establishment of a Sandbox as a mechanism to sustain work on the ideas and activities around Climate Change Social Learning (CCSL) that had surfaced during the workshop. This brief provides an overview and analysis of the conducted work around the Sandbox.
Explores gender-sensitive research designs and lessons learned while carrying out gender-focused participatory action research tools and methods during the use and testing of a gender and climate change research manual created by CCAFS and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2012.
Explores three main questions: (1) in what contexts and in what ways are socially differentiated and marginalized groups enrolled in the learning process? (2) what, if any, are the additional benefits to social learning when explicitly using strategies to include socially differentiated groups? and (3) what are the benefits and trade-offs of applying these approaches for development outcomes? The findings suggest that, in the agricultural development context, social learning projects that include socially differentiated groups and create conditions for substantive two-way learning enhance the relevance and legitimacy of knowledge and governance outcomes, increasing the potential for accelerating sustainable development outcomes.
In this Learning Brief: Participatory and deliberative approaches were used in order to draw out and evaluate pathways of adaptation in maize farming in the Kenyan districts of Makueni, in Central Province, and Nandi/Nyando, in Western Province, whilst allowing participants to reflect on and share their own perceptions, experiences, and expectations of future change.
This Learning Brief outlines these ideas and the vision for Phase 2 of the CCSL Initiative in greater depth. First, the definition and utility of CCSL are revisited. Next, the CCSL Strategy set out at the end of Phase 1 is summarised. The vision for Phase 2 as well as the hypotheses behind it, are explained.
This series of Climate Change and Social Learning (CCSL) briefs will focus on lessons learnt from the ongoing CCAFS experience with building Theories of Change. The objective is to share experiences in real time, and generate discussion that will help CCAFS and others improve their TOC, impact pathways and monitoring and evaluation (M+E).
Author version of article published in Nature Climate Change that argues that "If research is genuinely to result in beneficial changes in behaviour, policies and institutions, research outputs need to be much better informed by and engaged with the processes through which individuals, communities and societies learn and adapt their behavior in the face of change. Social learning approaches may be able to contribute substantially to this aim." Read a blog post about this article (CCAFS blog) and another one on the ILRI News blog.
Including socially differentiated groups into processes of knowledge creation and decision- making may fundamentally alter what questions are asked, how changes in practices are framed and how to break down systemic patterns of vulnerability and marginalisation. This paper investigates the synergies (and trade-offs) associated with integrating socially differentiated stakeholders and/or groups – the poor, women, elderly, youth and indigenous – into social learning processes aimed at addressing poverty reduction, livelihood development and longer term resilience.
The aim of this report is to provide a detailed review of documented social learning processes for climate change and natural resource management as described in peer-reviewed literature. Particular focus is on identifying (1) lessons and principles, (2) tools and approaches, (3) evaluation of social learning, as well as (4) concrete examples of impacts that social learning has contributed to.
Vast stock-taking exercise of past and current social learning experiences across CGIAR. The paper also highlights some propositions to move forward with this field of work.
First output commissioned by CCAFS to IDS and IIED to take stock of social learning experiences in climate change work and attempt at classifying such experiences. Used as key input to foundational workshop.
This first learning brief of a series developed with IIED examines the rationale for social learning in climate change, explores the cost effectiveness of social learning and ends with priorities for CCAFS in this field.
Awareness-raising and promotional video for social learning in climate change, developed on the basis of narratives produced in the CGIAR stock-taking workshop and introduced for the first time at the CCAFS science meeting.
This short paper synthesises the conceptual work done during the CCSL foundational workshop in May 2012 around the areas of documentation, social learning within CCAFS, endogenous social learning, social differentiation and time scales.
5-pager explaining what CCAFS is doing about social learning and . Used as background information for CCAFS 2013 science meeting, IDS Knowledge Exchange and Donor and partner meeting in March 2013.
Short description of social learning in climate change and the work done with CCAFS so far, based on earlier ideas of CCSL narrative.
See also later insert (not authored by CCSL group):
'Social learning to amplify agro-ecology' (June 2013)
CCSL initiative
CCSL learning brief #2 'CCSL strategy'
Requires sign-off from PMC
CCAFS to finalise budget for IIED work package, then work on logo etc. covered by IIED staff appointed
Decision-support toolkit containing a lot of information and tools related to CCSL and related work. These pages are being developed (late 2013-2014) and are designed as 'living pages' where new social learning experiences are documented and integrated in these framework and toolkit.
Co-Creation Methods
Co-Creation Methods enable groups that are diverse in skills, experiences and roles to work collaboratively to create new ideas, document evidence, and communicate what they know. Here is a collection of tools and tips from several sources:
Mental Models: understanding the causes and consequences of climate change (PLA Notes 60)
The Innovation Tree: a participatory tool to reveal the innovation adoption and diffusion process (PLA Notes 45)
Farmer Innovation Fairs
Farmer Innovation Fairs aim to raise awareness and share information about how smallholder farmers are innovating, encourage innovation by smallholder farmers, disseminate smallholder farmers’ innovations, identify and draw attention to more endogenous innovations than are currently known, and influence policy to promote smallholder farmer innovation. Example from East African Farmer Innovation Fair 2013
Managing for Impact (M4I) focuses on Participatory Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPME). The portal is managed by Centre for Development Innovation (CDI), Wageningen University and Research centre. It provides access to key publications and internet resources on planning, monitoring and evaluation. Special reference is made to Managing for Impact, an integrated approach to managing for results with attention to engaging people in a learning oriented process.
Participatory Methods from IDS provides resources on a range of methods for inclusive social development. It explains what participatory methods are, where and how they have been used, their problems and potentials and the debates about them. The focus is on participatory approaches to strategic analysis and programme design, monitoring and evaluation. It also includes resources on participatory learning, research and communication in organisations, networks and communities including:
This updated version of CARE's PMERL manual is intended for use by project managers and field staff, communities and local partners engaged in designing and implementing community-based adaptation projects. It is based on the original PMERL manual which CARE developed in 2011/12 with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
Rapid Appraisal for Agricultural Knowledge Systems resources from KIT - "Project design for rural poverty reduction has shifted from top-down interventions to a more
stakeholder-based innovation system perspective. RAAKS (Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Knowledge Systems) is a methodology for facilitating agricultural innovation and rural development from this new perspective" (Royal Tropical Institute)
Reflexive Monitoring in Action guidelines support innovation projects to reflect on "the ambitions of the project, usual practices and the way they are embedded in the institutions, plus the developments in the system that offer opportunities for realising the ambitions of system innovation". See especially 'Dynamic Learning Agenda' page 63-9 (Wageningen University and VU University Amsterdam)
Dossier of resources about the Theatre and Development approach, including street theatre and puppet theatre, to disseminate and communicate information. Produced by KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
What is Social Learning? Part of the transforming governance resources prepared by the Stockholm Environmental Institute for the WeAdapt open space on climate change. The article's focus is on the role of bridging between networks, individuals and organisations to foster the social relationships and spaces that facilitate social dimensions of learning. Also links to articles on The need for a learning approach; Adaptive Management and Learning Processes; Social Learning in Organisations; and Learning and Power.
Research and Analysis
(PDF files of the resources below have been added to the File Store on CCSL Yammer)
Author (year)
Name of Resource
Description and Additional Notes
Armitage, D et.al (2007)
Adaptive co-management and the paradox of learning (pay-for article)
Learning requires greater attention to capacity-building, recognition of the role of risk, and consideration of how incentives could be used to encourage learning. Further consideration of the role of power and marginality among groups participating in the learning process is also needed, as is more systematic evaluation to monitor and measure learning outcomes
This IPRI Discussion Paper (01258) analyzes the effectiveness of local-level (territory) multistakeholder platforms using data from 55 CARGs in 23 randomly selected territories in three provinces (Bandundu, Bas-Congo, and Kinshasa) of the DRC. The first CARG was established in 2008, and the survey was conducted three years later, from August to October 2011.
Innovation Platforms are increasingly advocated as multi-actor intervention spaces that can faciliate interaction and stimulate social learning for innovation. It this context; innovation is a co-evolutionary process (so not necessarily a technology or technological package), resulting from alignment of technical, social, institutional and organizational dimensions. Definition based on: Kilelu, C.W., Klerkx, L., Leeuwis, C., 2013. Unravelling the role of innovation platforms in supporting co-evolution of innovation: Contributions and tensions in a smallholder dairy development programme. Agricultural Systems 118, 65-77.)
A recent review has highlighted that the methodology most commonly employed to research social learning has been the individual case study. We draw on four examples of social learning research in the environmental and sustainability sciences from sub-Saharan Africa to reflect on possible reasons behind the preponderance of case study research in this field, and to identify common elements that may be significant for social learning research more generally. We find that a common interest in change oriented social learning, and therefore processes of change, makes case studies a necessary approach because long term process analyses are required that are sensitive to social-ecological contexts. Common elements of the examples reflected upon included: a focus on initiating, tracking and/or understanding a process of change toward sustainability; long term research; an action research agenda that involves reflecting on data with research participants; and temporal, process based analysis of data coupled with in-depth theoretical analysis. This paper highlights that there is significant scope for exploratory research that compares case studies of social learning research to generate a deeper understanding of social learning processes, and their relationship to human agency and societal change.
Monitoring outcomes suggest that for learning to be effective, a balance needs to be sought between maintaining key individuals within the system, preventing rigidity and vulnerability when this is achieved, and encouraging active participation within communities of practice. Effective facilitation by an ‘honest broker’ is one of the ways in which this can be achieved. The results point to an over simplification in the rhetoric that currently surrounds the learning outcomes of multilevel networks, and challenges the idea that democratic structures are necessarily important for effective natural resource management at the community level.
WWF Key Concepts in Climate Change briefing paper covers learning processes including reflexivity, double and triple-loop learning, transformative learning, learning by doing, social learning and anticipatory learning that can help to address uncertain and changing environmental and social challenges.
The agricultural innovation systems approach emphasizes the collective nature of innovation and stresses that innovation is a co-evolutionary process, resulting from alignment of technical, social, institutional and organizational dimensions. This paper addresses this gap and conceptualizes platforms as intermediaries that connect the different actors in innovation systems in order to foster effective co-evolution. We present a case study of a smallholder dairy development programme in Kenya, led by a consortium of five organizations that provide a platform for building multi-actor partnerships to enhance smallholder dairy productivity and improve livelihoods. The findings indicate that co-evolution of innovation is a highly dynamic process with various interactional tensions and unexpected effects, and that the distributed nature of intermediation is important in resolving some of these tensions emerging at different actor interfaces.
How boundary objects can be used to legitimise innovation. Producing visual and tangible representations of novel agricultural system concepts can assist in a joint innovation and learning process. However, some points require attention. Firstly, design process outputs are not an outcome of a design pro- cess, but part and parcel of an evolving design process.
Social learning continues to attract the attention of researchers in natural resource management, yet little published research focuses specifically on social learning time frames. This article aims to redress this knowledge gap through presenting insights from a longitudinal study in Australia. The study involved four interview rounds from 2004 to 2009 with landholders taking part in a program focused on managing dryland salinity. The results demonstrate that participants were initially frustrated by the slow pace of social learning. Evidence of social learning occurred after approximately 1 year, but was initially restricted to an increased understanding of the problem without improved knowledge to address it.
This book is about the challenges and practical realities of building the capacity to innovate. It describes the experiences of the Research Into Use (RIU) programme in Africa, a five-year, multicountry investment by DFID that aimed to extract development impact from past investments in agricultural research. The book documents lessons for practitioners and policy-makers in the national and international arenas who are planning and implementing investments to enable agricultural innovation.
The case study from the CIFOR adaptive collaborative management project (Learning from learning: the experiences with implementing adaptive collaborative forest management in Zimbabwe: Page 169-189) might interest people most. Also check out the conclusions section for detail on the following recommendations for those who want to engage in collaborative research for sustainable landscape development and governance (pages 296-299)
1. Link up with existing institutions to embed the research in their innovation process
2. Look at the problem and context to determine the role of research
3. Study the various theoretical frameworks and use them flexibly
4. Select the most appropriate type of boundary-spanning process
5. Opt for a reflexive approach and if possible include stakeholders in this exercise
6. Express contrasting paradigms and deal with them
7. Remain cautious and modest in a context of diversity and conflict
The paper discusses the role of social learning in the transition toward the adaptive management of floodplains and rivers that is required to restore and maintain multifunctional riverine landscapes. In addition to the uncertainties resulting from our limited knowledge about the complex spatiotemporal dynamics of floodplains, we have to take into account the ambiguities that arise as a result of the different perceptions of stakeholders.
Interview given to Barbara Fraser of CIFOR Forests News about how traditional forest knowledge and practices can be used to design local, regional and national adaptation and mitigation initiatives.
Social learning processes were found to be more likely to be successful if they 1) opened new space for communicative action, allowing for an intersubjective re-definition of the present situation, 2) contributed to rebalance the relationships between social capital and social, emotional and cognitive competencies within and between local and external actors
Readable, clear account of influences on Social Learning (though from a near ideal project). Identifies process characteristics that foster social learning: open communication, diverse participation, unrestrained thinking, constructive conflict, democratic structure, multiple sources of knowledge, extended engagement, and facilitation. Suggests these can be encouraged / facilitated through meeting/process design and facilitation. Concludes that "social learning is essential but not sufficient for co-management. Appropriate structures and processes are needed to sustain learning and enable joint action."
Glória Gaia’s story raises the questions: Who is science for and how can science reach disenfranchised populations? Lessons for scientists and practitioners from Glória’s story include: broadening the range of products from research to reach local people, complementing local ecological knowledge with scientific data, sharing precautionary data demonstrating trends, and involving women and marginalized people in the research and outreach process.
Discusses social learning as an approach to reduce uncertainty taking the IPCC as its case study. In particular reveals the interplay between the formal processes and the informal interactions between those people participating in the formal processes.
Identifies opportunities and obstacles for forward-looking learning processes at the intersection of climatic uncertainty and development challenges in Africa
Provides a method to understand how participants in a joint initiative converge towards a certain position (described in the article as one of the objectives of social learning) by means of asking them to select one of four answers to a number of statements - each possible answer corresponding to one typical position (e.g. hierarchist, individualist, egalitarian, fatalist) and representing results visually. This method can be used repeatedly over time to illustrate that progress towards a collective vision (if any).
This paper offers some stepping stones for making careful use of social learning prompted by the challenge of sustainable development on the basis of a number of questions:
Why is social learning essential to sustainable development?
When do we speak in terms of a social learning process?
How does it distinguish itself from other more participatory approaches?
Precisely which situations (questions, challenges,problems) require a social learning process and which ones do not?
How do we create an environment in which social learning processes are likely to succeed? And what does an environment of this kind look like?
When can we say that a social learning process has proved to be successful?
Which competencies are essential if social learning processes are to succeed?
Successful public participation must yield not only fair and competent decisions, but also uncover common needs and understandings that transcend egoistic aims, and contribute to the development of democracy
Interesting video from William Clark of Harvard University on linking knowledge with action. Draws a lot on CGIAR work. Quite long but also highly relevant. His talk pushes for stronger collaborations amongst academics and with the public, better political engagement, and more risk taking in our research--recognizing that true innovation is always preceded by failed attempts
Freyhiwot Nadew (Farm Radio International) reflects on the role of rural radio in relation to social learning. Recorded at the 2012 CCAFS and ILRI workshop on Communications and Social Learning in Climate Change (August 2012)
White board animated video arguing that to transform food systems, we also need to transform how the research that supports these transformations is done. We need to think more about partnerships. And learning. Produced by CCAFS CCSL and narrated by FANRPAN CEO and food policy leader Dr Lindiwe Majele Sibanda (Sep 2013)
Roger Stern (University of Reading) reflects on social learning 'gaps', particularly the need to include meteorological service providers in climate change data discussions. Recorded at the 2012 CCAFS and ILRI workshop on Communications and Social Learning in Climate Change (August 2012)
Fiona Percy from CARE introduces the work of its Adaptation Learning Program and its role in supporting communities in Africa deal with climate change. Recorded at the 2012 CCAFS and ILRI workshop on Communications and Social Learning in Climate Change (August 2012)
Roger Stern (University of Reading) reflects on the usefulness of the Dataverse data archiving tool. Recorded at the 2012 CCAFS and ILRI workshop on Communications and Social Learning in Climate Change (August 2012)
Jonathon Ensor (Practical Action) and Javier Gonsalves introduces a proptype solution for learning about social learning at the community level. Recorded at the Climate Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Action Lab (April 2011)
Red Cross Climate Centre highlights how the use of Participatory Video helps farmers in one community to share their experience of adaptations with others leading to action and change by the community.
In the May 2012 workshop, additional materials were shared on this page - found also at the bottom of the current page.
A really useful website from Dr Will Allen with guidance and reference materials for those working to support social learning and collective action around sustainability issues. The Social Learning, Governance and Practice Change pages cover systems thinking; building networks; encouraging dialogue; knowledge management; planning and evaluation; capacity building, social capital and empowerment; encouraging innovation; and books on social learning.
Monitoring and Evaluation News is anews service focusing on developments in monitoring and evaluation methods relevant to development programmes with social development objectives
The Platform for Evidence Based Learning and Communications for Social Change is a email discussion group that aims to enhance practical understanding of joint learning processes in development and to identify strategies to strengthen them. Requires sign up
Informal community of practice in Participatory Technology Development (PTD) / Participatory Innovation Development (PID). Meets face to face annually and has a email discussion list to share information on current activities related to PTD/PID, discuss related issues and try to keep members up-to-date about projects and publications.
A not for profit social change consultancy focusing on facilitative leadership – a model rooted in shared power and decision-making, consensus building, collaborative skill, and servant leadership
Episcopal Relief & Development / Cornell University / Anglican Church of Burundi
2013-2017
Active
Research within the project is looking to capture impacts of community processes, farmer uptake of practices, as well as the technical aspects of different varieties and techniques on yield, resilience to climate extremes, etc
Materials from the May 2012 Workshop
These are materials brought or shared by participants before, during and after the May 2012 workshop:
Tools and Tips | | Videos | | News and Opinion | Training Opportunities | Projects from Beyond the CGIAR | Materials from the May 2012 Workshop
Climate Change and Social Learning Resources from CGIAR CCAFS
Also available as a dedicated CG Space collection. See also the full list of social learning case studies collected and documented through CCSL.
(September 2014)
See also the CG Space entry
See also later insert (not authored by CCSL group):
'Social learning to amplify agro-ecology' (June 2013)
Tools and Tips
stakeholder-based innovation system perspective. RAAKS (Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Knowledge Systems) is a methodology for facilitating agricultural innovation and rural development from this new perspective" (Royal Tropical Institute)
Research and Analysis
(PDF files of the resources below have been added to the File Store on CCSL Yammer)
Innovation Platforms are increasingly advocated as multi-actor intervention spaces that can faciliate interaction and stimulate social learning for innovation. It this context; innovation is a co-evolutionary process (so not necessarily a technology or technological package), resulting from alignment of technical, social, institutional and organizational dimensions. Definition based on: Kilelu, C.W., Klerkx, L., Leeuwis, C., 2013. Unravelling the role of innovation platforms in supporting co-evolution of innovation: Contributions and tensions in a smallholder dairy development programme. Agricultural Systems 118, 65-77.)
1. Link up with existing institutions to embed the research in their innovation process
2. Look at the problem and context to determine the role of research
3. Study the various theoretical frameworks and use them flexibly
4. Select the most appropriate type of boundary-spanning process
5. Opt for a reflexive approach and if possible include stakeholders in this exercise
6. Express contrasting paradigms and deal with them
7. Remain cautious and modest in a context of diversity and conflict
process characteristics that foster social learning: open communication, diverse participation, unrestrained thinking, constructive conflict, democratic structure, multiple sources of knowledge, extended engagement, and facilitation. Suggests these can be encouraged / facilitated through meeting/process design and facilitation. Concludes that "social learning is essential but not sufficient for co-management. Appropriate structures and processes are needed to sustain learning and enable joint action."
Videos
His talk pushes for stronger collaborations amongst academics and with the public, better political engagement, and more risk taking in our research--recognizing that true innovation is always preceded by failed attempts
In the May 2012 workshop, additional materials were shared on this page - found also at the bottom of the current page.
News and Opinion
Training Opportunities
18 Aug 2014 for self-funding
15 Dec 2014 for self-funding
Projects from Beyond the CGIAR
Materials from the May 2012 Workshop
These are materials brought or shared by participants before, during and after the May 2012 workshop:
CCAFS materials:
Materials in French