Mapping peer learning initiatives in public sector reforms in development

Terminology Community of Practice Groups of people who, despite geographical distance, share a concern or a passion for something that they do and generally seek to learn how to do it better as many of them interact regularly (adapted from (Wenger, n/d, p.1). Communities of practice comprise: a professional/technical/functional domain (they are not merely a club of friends or a network of connections between people and have an identity defined by a shared interest and set of competences); a community (members engage in joint activities and build relationships that enable them to learn from each other); and a practice (members are practitioners with a shared repertoire of experiences, stories, tools and ways of addressing recurring problems) (Wenger, n/d). Facilitated peer group engagement Actively bringing together groups of potential peers, selected on criteria such as function or professional affiliation. Facilitating organizations The groups or organizations that are supporting peer group engagement. Knowledge generation Producing and promoting some kind of knowledge to share. Learning Alliances Collaborative multi-stakeholder groupings of institutions/organizations that are willing to actively share experiences on and approaches to public sector reforms, using different peer learning tools and methods to engage with each other over time through continuous, mutual learning about effective approaches to public sector reform and what makes peer learning processes successful (GPEDC, 2014). Learning tools Devices or techniques used during peer engagements, including: • Modes of meeting such as: large group meetings (like annual workshops); small group meetings (where only a few peers engage in more close-quarters engagement than an annual conference would allow); online and virtual engagement mechanisms and telecommunication devices (allowing peers to connect outside of face-to-face contexts). • Focus areas for discussion such as: externally produced knowledge products (like expert papers on different budgeting reforms); common assessment products (review templates); expert group reviews (where external experts analyze reviews); externally produced knowledge products; peer-produced knowledge products • Shared experiences such as site visits (where different delegations can visit others to learn first-hand about new ideas); • Formal training sessions. Peer contracts Soft contracts to foster commitment by individuals and their organizations to work together, attend peer meetings, communicate regularly, and to apply lessons learned in one's own organization. Peer group engagement Groups of potential peers, selected on criteria such as function or professional affiliation, brought together. Peer interaction logistics Organizational challenges facing peer group facilitators, including: • Ensuring peers have the time to engage with …