Here Is How to Launch Your Community of Practice on Results

To guide your country in establishing its own Community of Practice on Managing for Development Results, the AfCoP Core Management Team shares with you the key steps to create an effective organization that will help drive the results agenda. These steps are described in the Guidelines available by clicking HERE and summarized below.

Benefits of a Country CoP

To increase the AfCoP’s impact at the national level eight AfCoP national chapters have been established CoPs_.  and nine more are planned for 2013. They are autonomous bodies developed in partnership with the local Ministry of Finance and Planning, implemented, managed and maintained by the country. They aim at building national MfDR capacities and at advancing the MfDR agenda nationally, with a focus on government officials, through networking, training sessions and mechanisms to lobby governments and development organizations to make programs and structures more results-oriented.                                        

The national CoPs contribute to: (i) instilling results culture at country level; (ii) strengthening the capacity of the national development process stakeholders on both the supply and the demand sides of MfDR, hence equipping them to engage on policy dialogue; (iii) influencing key policy processes for achieving development results through advocacy and increased dialogue with governments and donors; and (iv) carrying out research and analysis aiming at promoting evidence-based decision making.

Five Steps to Launch a Country CoP

1. Form a small group of champions. MfDR champions are responsible for bringing about the creation of these National Chapters. This small group of influential people has an instrumental role in gaining buy-in, attracting partners and bringing in active members.
2. Prepare a concept note. This concept note will serve as the basis to demonstrate the need and rationale for a country CoP and its value added to bringing a results culture and enhancing regional integration.
3. Get buy-in from National Authorities. One representative of the Ministry of Finance or Planning or Economic Development or Office of the President or Office of the Prime Minister must be part of it – preferably its chair – to maintain consistent dialogue with the government.
4. Coopt members from a range of expertise. Members from a wide variety of government departments and civil society organizations, the parliament, the academia, the private sector and development partners should be engaged and contribute to the MfDR and regional integration agendas.
5. Organize a launch event. When a critical mass of members (40-50) has been secured, the national CoP could be officially launched.

The AfCoP Secretariat will support countries in that endeavor on a first come, first served basis. Please feel free to contact the AfCoP Secretariat at: afcop-mfdr@afdb.org and read more HERE.