What Have We Learned in FIDAMERICA?

FIDAMERICA A network of 40 IFAD projects in Latin America and the Caribbean Its purpose is to improve the impact of rural poverty reduction initiatives supported by IFAD, by promoting and facilitating social learning and communication processes within and between development projects Its main product are innovations in concepts, strategies, social learning, management and organization, and methods

FIDAMERICA’s APPROACH Experience-based learning Experience Critical reflectionTesting Conceptualization

How does FIDAMERICA Work? Gradual development of an approach to promote social learning and communication processes This approach today consists of six main steps Methods and ‘best practices’ developed for each step Initially, almost 100% Internet-based

How does FIDAMERICA work? Develops Learning and Knowledge Systems with a number of Rural Development Projects supported by IFAD (systematizing processes and experiences) Promotes exchange of experiences and lessons learned through e-conferences, an information board, an e-bulletin and a web- site Provides up to date literature and technical information on major rural development components

What Have we Learned? Sharing knowledge, information and experience add value to individual and single project knowledge ICT allows effective communication even in rural areas. However, most rural poor actors do not have access to ICT in rural Latin America Projection and dissemination of e-information through traditional communication means remains as an empirical question

What have we learned? Knowledge and information needs are different, depending on the end user. FIDAMERICA supports IFAD funded projects which have a number of actors. It is important to define what knowledge goes to what actors. Strategic partnerships with other regional programs is crucial. Each regional program has a role to play and the functional mix of those roles are used to support IFAD projects. Training is usually a major component of most IFAD funded projects. The combination with these resources make it possible to develop joint programs between FIDAMERICA and the projects

What have we learned? Development projects are interested and willing to engage in social learning and communication processes, if appropriate methods can be designed: Time requirements Simple, common sense, possible to apply by stakeholders Reasonable monetary costs

What have we learned? Systematization of intervention processes become a management tool when results include critical reflection and constructive criticism Institutionalization of recommendations and lessons learned produces changes in projects’ norms, incentives and working plans Multi-user discussion of projects’ experiences brings new ideas to the project teams but projects are reluctant to share failed experiences

What have we learned? With time, we have learned that face to face interactions are indispensable for effective social learning and communication in the context in which we work E-exchange and participation heavily depends on facilitators, interesting topics and motivation. Competition is abundant and e- systems are flooded with all kind of information

What have we learned? Main constraints are: Institutional culture (willingness to engage in critical reflection of one’s own practice, with active participation of stakeholders) Blueprint design of many development projects that hampers ‘adaptive management’