New Resource Center Now Open: Discover How Learning Networks Can Advance Industry Knowledge

USAID’s Learning Lab is now home to the Learning Networks Resource Center! This online space is comprised of a growing collection of tools, guidance, and stories on how other networks have been formed. From private sector organizations and universities to NGOs of varying sizes, USAID has supported the learning network approach with a range of global partners and technical interests. The new space is meant to be dynamic—a place where Learning Lab community members can access as well as contribute their own resources and experiences in implementing or participating in a learning network. The Resource Center is organized by the six primary phases of USAID-supported learning networks. It can be used by those interested in strengthening understanding of an emerging issue or enriching a dialogue on a particular topic.

What is a learning network?  

The Resource Center reflects lessons learned from a number of USAID learning activities, internally and among partners, described as “learning networks.” USAID defines learning networks as having the following characteristics:

1. The learning network is composed of a finite number of organizations represented by a defined group of individuals whose common interest is the development and pursuit of a shared learning agenda to be explored over a pre-determined period of time with a known end-date.
2. The learning network’s learning agenda focuses on learning at three distinct levels: the organization, network, and industry. The learning process is facilitated and the pursuit of that learning agenda takes an integrated approach to the knowledge cycle, incorporating knowledge generation, capture, dissemination, and application.
3. The organizations represented in the learning network have been provided resources (often through a competitive process), and member organizations are obligated to complete deliverables associated with the three levels of learning.

What differentiates the approach, as defined here, from communities of practice is the degree of formality and structure that is built into the learning network, including the intentional development of a learning agenda; the establishment of clear expectations for outputs related to learning at the organization, network, and industry levels; the finite period of performance; and the consensus on required deliverables that are in line with the shared learning agenda. Finally, appropriate facilitation is an essential component of the structure of a learning network.

Although USAID defines a learning network in this way, there are other ways of organizing and managing collaborative learning groups based on the size, organizational composition, management structures, work processes, and learning goals of the group. Rather than being prescriptive, these characteristics are specified to hopefully spark thinking about how this approach may be adapted to better support learning and collaboration in other settings.

Why use the Resource Center?

Very often, learning within an organization happens sporadically and haphazardly between colleagues who already know each other, or worse yet, not at all. A learning network approach can bring formality to learning and help establish new relationships with fellow experts. If you’re new to the Learning Network Resource Center, start by exploring the Learning Networks Overview. Interested in influencing or connecting to a broader industry? Check out guidance on Industry Engagement.  Want to better understand how learning networks can strengthen organizational learning? Browse the phase related to Organizational Learning. Just want to know what other networks are out there? See the initial list of USAID-supported communities in the Learning Network Catalogue, or contribute your own resource!