Best Practices Transfer

Transcription

1 Best Practices Transfer Presentation by Wandia Seaforth UNHABITAT April Web:

2 Why Transfers? The Habitat Agenda and MDGs recognize partnerships, networking and decentralized forms of cooperation as effective capacity-building strategies. Transfer is one form of decentralized cooperation. A transfer is a structured process of learning. It implies: the identification of solutions, the matching of demand for learning with supply of experience and expertise and a series of steps that need to be taken to bring about the desired change. Such change may range from policy reform, management systems and technology to attitudes and behavior.

3 Characteristics of Transfers The value of a transfer starts with the quality of the practices that are being transferred. Such practices are characterized by: tangible, positive impact on living conditions; partnership between two or more public/private organizations; sustainability in its social, economic, environmental and cultural aspects.

4 Characteristics of Transfers Other considerations: Adaptability: taking into account cultural, political, economic etc. context of recipient Format: visits (one/two way), direct hands-on training, Mentoring coaching, joint initiatives

5 Types of Transfers Different contents of transfers: technical: the transfer of skills and technology applications/processes information: the transfer and exchange of ideas and; managerial: a system or series of decision-making and resource allocation processes that can be transferred and adapted e.g. participatory budgeting, forms of e-governance

6 Elements of a Transfer Match supply with demand: Documenting and exchanging successful solutions. This could be through an intermediary e.g. Local Government Associations, awards and recognition systems, innovations databases; Define scope of transfer: Establishing a transfer entity mandated to adapt the innovation Adapt transfer: Innovation is adapted to local conditions. Implementation and evaluation: Transfer is implemented (more adaptation?) and its impact monitored through ongoing evaluations.

7 Inititiators of transfers Originator as champion Recipient as initiator Third party as champion and intermediary Combinations

8 Originator as Intermediary Baseline information on recipient Information on regulatory frame of recipient Change attitude of decision makers Change perception of end-user Technical rationale for technocrats Exchange visits for all above Exchange between recipients

9 Originator as Intermediary Social housing programme - South Africa National Departments Beneficiary Groupings Provincial Departments REPLICATION STRATEGIES Trade Unions District Departments Local Authorities Funding Agencies Project Agencies Interact with agencies. Encourage & support agencies. Enter into partnerships. Serve as consultants. Serve on policy teams. Transfer expertise. Present at conferences. High profile competitions. Promotional materials Knowledge banks Site visits. Non Government Organisations Community Based Organisations Professional Institutions Commerce & Industry Higher Institutions Education Policy Making Bodies Key Individuals

10 Originator as champion Issue identification current, urgent Piloting Internal evaluation External evaluation Lessons learned documented Selling replications Evaluation with recipients cyclic

11 Recipient as initiator Situation to be addressed Political will to learn Awareness of existing solution/s Access to clearing house/s Direct approach to solution Facilitation by intermediary

12 Intermediary Initiator and/or facilitator Knowledge of problems Knowledge of solutions Well placed to link problem and solution Intermediary has limitation in detailed knowledge of context Transfer complexities and stakeholder dynamics Risks minimized by more detailed documentation by recipient and originator

13 Transfer as an Award Medellin Award for Best Practice Transfer, LAC 2005 Mayor of Medellin was initiator and recipient. identified priority areas: Safety and Security productivity Solidarity and Inclusion City place in the International arena Intermediaries: Ibero-American and Caribbean Forum for Best Practices t Identified practices that addressed priorities of Medellin Designed the transfer process Five practices identified from Argentina, Colombia, Brazil: Slum upgrading, urban agriculture, abuelas cuenta cuentos

14 Transfer as An Award Medellin Award for Best Practice Transfer, LAC Award consisted of small grants + opportunity to work with Medellin over an 18 month period including visits. Fundacion Habitat Colombia (Forum member) documented the process. Many aspects of the process have been used by other Forum Members for example, El Agora in Argentina.

15 A best practice on transfers Grassroots Women s International Academy (GWIA) A transfer mechanism based on specific problems childcare, livelihoods, access to land and housing, HIV/AIDS, disasters etc. Most important outcomes Visibility of women and their knowledge Variety of process options applicable to diverse problem areas Increased inclusion of other non-excluded Local-local dialogues bringing in other stakeholders

16 Adequate Documentation Documentation weaknesses that impact on matching demand with supply, include missing or poor information on: 1. Baseline data 2. What actually triggered an innovation 3. Details of process 4. Policy framework facilitative or constraining? 5. Bonus gains of the initiative beyond what was originally Addressed wider value of innovation

17 Transfer Documentation 1. involve learners and hosts 2. Review what did not work and why? 3. Review what turned out even better than the original 4. Hosts describe what they learned by transferring 5. Intermediary s role in documentation 6. Apply lessons where possible to original initiative 7. Apply lessons learned to future transfers