Why are horizontal learning processes relevant for civil society organizations (CSOs)? The problems we face in the world are more complex, and no single actor can tackle them alone. In the last two decades, we have seen that multistakeholder initiatives (involving public and private stakeholders, civil society organizations, and academia) can bring positive outcomes. Therefore, civil society organizations must strengthen their capacities to participate in these efforts. However, due to increasingly closed civic spaces worldwide, CSOs face very complex challenges. In some countries, their work is even criminalized.
The relevance of horizontal learning for civil society
Horizontal learning is an effective strategy for civil society organizations to gain strength and tackle everyday challenges. In addition, horizontal learning processes and exchanges consist of collective reflections about a particular topic because people from different organizations are involved in this exercise.
We exchange unique experiences that let us know how others work, their challenges and solutions. These exercises are valuable because we can see our own experience reflected in others. We can even replicate their solutions and adapt them to our organization. Horizontal learning processes stimulate knowledge creation, cooperation, and collective processes. As a result, the ecosystem of CSOs develops with contributions that enable collective growth.
What should we consider for an excellent horizontal learning process?
The horizontal learning process for CSOs might seem simple and have low requirements at first glance. However, we must consider the following elements to undertake it:
1) The challenge of creating safe spaces where organizations feel comfortable sharing positive and negative experiences
For the horizontal learning processes to be functional, participants must be ready to share their experiences, including successful and failed experiences. However, being open to exposing all the elements requires a high level of trust, which is hard to reach because this might be a cathartic process for the organization’s members. It implies opening our vulnerabilities to others, which is not easy but useful. Therefore, setting up clear rules for the exchange is essential, creating a safe space where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions.
2) A good agenda and facilitation
For the horizontal learning for CSO to be successful, we need to center on one topic. This lets us focus on a specific issue and identify its causes. It also allows us to design spaces for all participants to collaborate and comprehensively analyze the topic under discussion.
This topic does not necessarily have to be part of the organizations’ substantive agenda. It can be about our strategies or challenges. It can also be an exchange of knowledge or reflections on facing adverse conditions in the CSOs ecosystem.
Good facilitation is also critical to a successful exchange process. Thus, the facilitator must know and share the ethos and values of each participating organization and have some knowledge about the topic. These exchanges require self-criticism, and we must have someone who can guide us in this exercise professionally and respectfully.
Rethinking your challenges and imagining possible solutions by listening to and sharing experiences with different actors can be a strategy for building up your organization’s capacities.
These horizontal learning processes can also be a good exercise for generating knowledge inside and outside your organization. They are also an excellent collaborative practice for finding the path toward the social change that all civil society organizations seek.
Is your organization already taking advantage of horizontal learning? If you are still trying to figure out why you should do it or where to start, remember that we can help you at COMETA. Contact us, and let’s work together.
