Empowering policy implementation through peer-to-peer and mutual learning
When it comes to policy support, influence, and implementation, the methodologies we employ can significantly impact outcomes. Mutual learning and peer-to-peer learning bring stakeholders together, helping to create an environment of shared knowledge and experience.
At ICF, we use these methodologies to create sustainable policy changes by emphasizing accountability, diversity, and inclusivity in our processes. We have demonstrated this around the world, including in the European Union (EU), Nigeria, and Nepal—showing just how adaptable and replicable these approaches are in different contexts.
The framework of mutual and peer-to-peer learning
Mutual learning is widely recognized in the EU and is integral to the Open Method of Coordination (OMC). The OMC framework promotes cooperation between EU countries, ensuring coordinated policy development and implementation across governments. This creates positive peer pressure and a collective responsibility between nations to follow best practices. Over the years we have used this framework in the form of learning alliances, embedding the principles of mutual learning into our projects.
Peer-to-peer learning is fundamental in governance, policy design, implementation, and evaluation. It creates a platform where stakeholders can share experiences and best practices, leading to more effective and sustainable policy outcomes. When practitioners hear success stories from peers in similar roles, the insights resonate and help them to apply and adapt the lessons to their own contexts. Creating a diverse environment of openness and trust is key, where both positive and negative experiences can be shared for everyone’s benefit.
Learning alliances: Mutual learning in action
Here are three examples of learning alliances to show how this can work in practice.
Nigeria
From 2017 to 2019, ICF implemented a project in Nigeria to help regional and local governments implement public sector reform—particularly fiscal reform—effectively. As the content was highly technical, we established a robust peer-to-peer learning framework to ensure that best practices were shared and adopted across different government levels.
In 2017, we convened an event in Ibadan, Nigeria, that brought together Commissioners of Finance, Economic Planning, Budget, and other key stakeholders from South West Nigeria in collaboration with the Learning, Evidence, and Advocacy Partnerships (LEAP) pillar of the Partnership to Engage, Reform, and Learn (PERL). It was the first in a series of thematic learning alliances, focusing on identifying and sharing good practices from federal to state levels. A total of 48 people took part, including commissioners, senior civil servants, and representatives from state houses, civil society, business groups, and media. Together, they shared experiences and discussed strategies to strengthen budget preparation and citizen engagement.
The event effectively encouraged knowledge sharing and collaboration among Nigerian states, laying a foundation for learning and policy improvement to continue. Our learning alliance provided a platform for Nigerian officials to engage with peers, discuss challenges, and share solutions. This improved the implementation of fiscal reforms and fostered a sense of community and mutual support among the participants. The knowledge shared and the networks created continued to benefit the participants even after the project concluded.
Nepal
In Nepal, we faced a challenge of lack of coordination across different tiers of government. We addressed this by promoting collaboration and communication in our project, the Nepal Urban Resilience Program (Sudridh-NURP). Sudridh-NURP established urban areas learning alliances to facilitate experience and solution sharing among municipalities and stakeholders. Drawing from international best practices and our experience in Nigeria, these learning forums enhanced capacity, generated documented outcomes, identified collaboration areas, and informed policy decisions.
We ran both municipality-to-municipality meetings and technical expert webinars, as well as facilitated peer-to-peer exchanges among municipal staff on urban resilience and green recovery. We used these peer-to-peer learning opportunities to integrate the principles of Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID), aligning with the global discourse on climate change (COP26 and COP27). Over time, we evolved the learning alliances to include a broader network of stakeholders such as donors, civil society, and the business community/private sector. By exposing government officials to practices in other geographies, we encouraged a more collaborative approach to meeting the country’s long-term goals.
European Union
In the EU, our city-to-city work as part of the climate diplomacy effort exemplifies the power of mutual learning. Pairing cities in Europe with counterparts in North America facilitates collaboration on themes like the integration of nature-based solutions. These partnerships create opportunities for knowledge sharing and the development of international networks.
For instance, a European city working on sustainable urban development can share its experiences with a North American city facing similar challenges. This exchange not only helps both cities improve their policies but also builds a global community of practice focused on sustainability. The continued interaction and learning between these cities show the benefits of mutual learning when implementing policy.
As part of the EU-funded International Urban & Regional Cooperation (IURC) program, the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), and the City of Boston focused their cooperation on urban planning processes, innovative public spaces, and expanding green areas. The three entities commended the effectiveness of the IURC program in fostering cooperation, organizing thematic workshops, and connecting them to networks with other cities from diverse countries. They emphasized the value of peer-to-peer exchanges for urban transformation and the significance of increasing staff capacity through online and in-person meetings for ensuring the successful adoption of policy and technical innovations.
The importance of lasting impact
Crucially, our approach emphasizes creating a sustained learning experience, rather than just a one-off event such as a workshop. It is important to ensure that stakeholders have continuous opportunities to engage, share, and learn. In the EU, this might involve peer reviews, study visits, and the dissemination of findings through conferences or an academic paper. Internationally, it often means building networks that persist beyond the project’s lifespan.
In Nepal, for example, we developed model laws and acts for urban development to be disseminated by the responsible ministry. This ensured that the knowledge and practices were institutionalized and could be replicated across the country. Similarly, in Nigeria, the learning alliances we established continued to benefit participants long after the project ended.
Ensuring inclusivity and accountability
Diversity and representation in these processes is essential: it matters who sits around the table during these discussions. Including a diverse range of voices, particularly from marginalized communities, ensures that policies are inclusive and equitable. Inclusivity builds accountability, as it allows everyone to have a say in policy development and the implementation process.
Projects should also emphasize the importance of transparency and openness. Sharing both successes and failures helps build trust and encourages a culture of continuous improvement. This creates the right environment for mutual learning and peer-to-peer exchanges.
Our approach to policy support, influence, and implementation is grounded in the principles of mutual and peer-to-peer learning. By encouraging environments where stakeholders can share experiences, learn from each other, and build lasting networks, we create sustainable policy changes that can be adapted and replicated across different contexts. Whether in the EU, Nigeria, Nepal, or elsewhere, these methodologies have proven effective in promoting accountability, diversity, and inclusivity—ultimately leading to more robust and impactful policy outcomes for all.