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Learning alliance: a series of interconnected multi-stakeholder platforms at different institutional levels (national, district, community, etc.), aiming to speed up the process of identification, development and scaling up of innovations. [Source: Smits, S., Moriarty, P. & Sijbesma, C., 2007. Learning alliances : scaling up innovations in water, sanitation and hygiene. (Technical paper series / IRC ; 47). Delft, the Netherlands. P. 3].

 

Driving change : strengthening local systems in the water and sanitation sectors

2021
Insights, tips, and advice to improve public...
Multi-stakeholder platform meeting in Ethiopia, participant on the left is using Telegram on his computer

Connecting market-based sanitation stakeholders in the age of Covid

Telegram app builds community for sharing in Ethiopia.

Scenarios for public systems transition using learning alliances : the case of water supply in...

2021
This article demonstrates the effectiveness of...

Facilitating collective action for Sustainable Development Goal 6 through learning alliances

2020
In this video from Sustainable WASH Systems...
Fifth South Ari Woreda learning alliance meeting

Learning alliance helps to improve water supply in Gazer town

The South Ari Woreda learning alliance pushed for the establishment of the Gazer Town Water Supply Service Office as a utility to improve water...

How to use learning alliances to achieve systems change at scale

2019
This working paper sets out the thinking behind...

Understanding the WASH system and its building blocks : building strong WASH systems for the SDGs

2018
This working paper is one of a series that...
Protected spring built by the community. Pipes sticking out of concrete.

Community-led improvements through initiative and collaboration

In Ethiopia's South Ari Woreda, community members have piloted a new approach to improve access to safe water in their communities.
Driving Change publication cover

How to champion and lead radical improvements in public services

Read "Driving change : strengthening local systems in the water and sanitation sectors"

Pathways for securing government commitment for activities of collaborative approaches

2022
Three factors – legitimacy of the collaborative,...

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Driving change : strengthening local systems in the water and sanitation sectors

Insights, tips, and advice to improve public services like water and sanitation through multi-stakeholder collective action and action research.
Biblio info

Multi-stakeholder platform meeting in Ethiopia, participant on the left is using Telegram on his computer

Connecting market-based sanitation stakeholders in the age of Covid

Published on: 25/11/2021
Telegram app builds community for sharing in Ethiopia.

Scenarios for public systems transition using learning alliances : the case of water supply in Uganda

This article demonstrates the effectiveness of facilitation of a learning alliance by a non-governmental organization providing funding and expert...
Biblio info

Facilitating collective action for Sustainable Development Goal 6 through learning alliances

In this video from Sustainable WASH Systems partner IRC WASH, we learn about Learning Alliances and how they are building strong local systems in...
Biblio info

Fifth South Ari Woreda learning alliance meeting

Learning alliance helps to improve water supply in Gazer town

Published on: 17/11/2020
The South Ari Woreda learning alliance pushed for the establishment of the Gazer Town Water Supply Service Office as a utility to improve water services in the area.

How to use learning alliances to achieve systems change at scale

This working paper sets out the thinking behind IRC's use of learning alliances, offers practical guidance on how to adopt the approach and build a...
Biblio info

Understanding the WASH system and its building blocks : building strong WASH systems for the SDGs

This working paper is one of a series that explains IRC's emerging praxis for working with and strengthening WASH systems.
Biblio info

Protected spring built by the community. Pipes sticking out of concrete.

Community-led improvements through initiative and collaboration

Published on: 18/04/2022
In Ethiopia's South Ari Woreda, community members have piloted a new approach to improve access to safe water in their communities.

Driving Change publication cover

How to champion and lead radical improvements in public services

Published on: 17/02/2022
Read "Driving change : strengthening local systems in the water and sanitation sectors"

Pathways for securing government commitment for activities of collaborative approaches

Three factors – legitimacy of the collaborative, aligning activities within clear mandates, and demonstrating value – all work together to secure...
Biblio info

Ethiopia endline social network analysis

All the learning alliances continue functioning at generally healthy — albeit varying — levels of interaction, particularly when considering the...
Biblio info

Rwakyaka Mary Kenyana, Kabarole District Councilor for Women, and member of the District WASH Task Team

Partnerships in practice to strengthen local systems

Published on: 16/02/2022
Lessons from the USAID Sustainable WASH Systems Learning Partnership (SWS) in Ethiopia and Uganda (2016-2021).

At a water point in Kabarole, Uganda

Sustainable WASH Systems Learning Partnership - Legacy page

Published on: 03/02/2022
This legacy page gives a brief overview of the project approach and flagship publications.

Final report on action research to strengthen monitoring, infrastructure management and planning in rural water, Ethiopia : Sustainable WASH Systems Learning Partnership Concept 1 (Ethiopia)

Testing approaches to strengthen the sustainability and performance of WASH service delivery systems.
Biblio info

Participants at the SWS closing event in Jinka town, Ethiopia

Three South Omo woredas commit to continue with WASH systems strengthening

Published on: 16/11/2021
During a close out event for USAID's Sustainable WASH Systems Learning Partnership three Ethiopian woredas promised to continue facilitating the learning alliance platforms.

Rwakyaka Mary Kenyana, Kabarole District Councilor for Women, and member of the District WASH Task Team

Scenarios for improving rural water services

Published on: 20/10/2021
IRC's role as learning alliance facilitator, providing funding and expert advice, has proven to be effective in fostering solutions, development and collective action among district stakeholders in Uganda.

Participants of the document dissemination

Dissemination meeting on SWS learning partnership in Afar Region

Published on: 07/10/2021
USAID Sustainable WASH Systems learning partnership project (SWS) conducted a document dissemination event in Afar region.

Assessment of the process of developing the Kabarole WASH district master plan 2018-2030

The report identifies the strengths and weaknesses that emerged during the development of the district master plan and provides recommendations to...
Biblio info

USAID SWS LP webinar banner

Collective Action in WASH Webinar, 29 June 2021

Published on: 21/06/2021
Findings from USAID's Sustainable WASH Systems Learning Partnership (SWS).

Improving WASH service delivery in small towns : systems approach implemented in Ethiopia

Systems approaches are ongoing processes which take time and require multiple levels of action, both at local as well as at regional and national...
Biblio info

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