How can we apply our learning from ILDC more effectively?
Prior to the Meeting of ILDC 2024 alumni which is planned in October 2025, some alumni and coordinators gathered on July 12th and shared the updates on applying their learning. Through the discussion, they agreed that the next Meeting should be an opportunity for every participant, not just to share POA progress, but to gain new or revisit learnings by sharing experiences and the challenges that are currently faced.
Idea on effective ways to apply learning from ILDC
Start from small activities
Working full time in my organization, there are other responsibilities and pressures. So, I realized that it would take longer time than I expected. I should have thought more about feasibility when developing our POA.
It would be easier to engage in activities if they could be planned as part of a project, but it is quite difficult to add new activities to a fixed budget and time frame. Anyway, by breaking it down into smaller activities, I have been able to implement them.
Shoma, Bangladesh (Photo: Constitution development by adolescents)
Change approaches
I also felt that I could not achieve what I had planned, so I changed my approach. It means, I had planned to create a new CBO with the health volunteers I had been involved with but it was not that easy, so I integrated it into another CBO and am now involved in capacity building of that CBO. I think it is important to properly align with the goals of the project or organization you are in charge of.
Abayed, Bangladesh (Photo: Participatory training for volunteers)
Let the participants discuss each other
As for “building relationships among peers,” we have already applied it in the field and it worked very well. When we applied a training method in which participants discussed and taught each other what they did not understand instead of providing knowledge, CBOs and community health volunteers discussed confidently and in a friendly manner.
Konthea, Cambodia (Photo: Peer to peer workshop with CBO members)
Keep exploring for more learning
The activities that I planned were simple and specific, so I completed them except for one thing, which is CBO capacity building assessment. I am not yet ready myself on what and how to do with the members. I’m also concerned what they will bring to the table, and how we can respond to them as an NGO. I need more learning opportunities with other participants of same batch.
Kshamata, Nepal (Photo: Advocacy training for CBO members)
Reflect in daily activities
I consider the POA as a guideline. After returning from Japan, when I conduct trainings, I thought about how to make them participatory. And I tried to incorporate key elements of the participatory approach, so in that sense, I think that I made some changes in my activities. As the other participants say, we have daily work responsibilities, so I have not been able to complete the plan of action at this point, but we can always remember our POA and continue to work on it in our daily work.
Swapnil, India (Photo: Dietary awareness activity in participatory way)
