Locally shared learning in action
At the Humanitarian Network and Partnership Week (HNPW2026), the Fabo Learning Community held a session on the 12th of March 2026 to explore how locally driven learning has been embedded across different types of humanitarian responses, drawing on experiences from both climate change adaptation and disaster response, and comparing distinct collaboration models.
Purpose of the Session
The session explored how “locally shared learning” is designed, practised, and sustained across humanitarian and resilience programmes. It brought together four panellists from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia, and Ukraine, followed by an open Q&A with participants in the room and online.
Speakers and Moderator
- Tesfaye Gesisa, Action for Development in Ethiopia
- Dr Oscar Rutenge, TCRS in Tanzania
- Agnes Meiria, YAKKUM Emergency Unit in Indonesia
- Yuliia Diadiuk-Kolesova, Helvetas in Ukraine
- Facilitated by Runa Midtvåge, DCA Learning Lab in Denmark
The session brought together Tesfaye Gesisa from Action for Development (Ethiopia) and Runa Midtvåge from DCA Learning Lab, who reflected on how the DCA-led consortium behind the Combatting the Impacts of Climate Change in the Horn of Africa initiative built a locally owned, partner-driven learning ecosystem supported, but not steered, by DanChurchAid’s Learning Lab and the Fabo Platform.
Designed from the outset to democratise knowledge, this learning approach enabled seven partners across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia to co-create, capture, and share insights emerging directly from their work with communities.
Complementing this consortium experience, Dr. Oscar Rutenge from Tanganyika Christian Refugee Service (TCRS – Tanzania) shared insights from its climate-related programming and its experience fostering a locally owned, partner-driven learning ecosystem within its own operational context. TCRS reflected on how locally anchored learning processes strengthened adaptation efforts, reinforced community engagement, and supported knowledge exchange across stakeholders—offering an additional climate-focused perspective beyond the consortium model.
From a disaster response perspective, the panel also explored two distinct experiences.
Agnes Meiria from YAKKUM (Indonesia) presented learning from the Rapid Response Fund (RRF) project implemented in North Sumatra together with other ACT Indonesia Forum members (CDRM & CDS and Pelkesi). Supported through the ACT Alliance, this response offered a perspective from disaster response programming. As part of the project, ACT Indonesia Forum is supporting Jakomkris (the Christian Community Network for Disaster Management in Indonesia) and the Indonesia Communion of Churches to conduct a learning workshop planned for February 2026, aimed at facilitating collective reflection and exchange among ACT Indonesia Forum members.
Yuiliia Diadiuk-Kolesova from Helvetas Ukraine also highlighted the Shelter Ambulance initiative in Ukraine, developed and scaled by Helvetas and its local partner I Am Save. Similar to a medical ambulance, the shelter ambulance is deployed immediately after bombing and drone attacks to provide rapid shelter repairs—including rubble removal, roof repairs, and the temporary sealing of windows and doors. In harsh winter conditions, these rapid interventions can be lifesaving.
The initiative illustrates how an innovative local response evolved through continuous learning and adaptation to rapidly changing contextual realities. Regular reflection meetings with partners, authorities, and volunteers were used to assess impact, analyse contextual shifts, and capture lessons learned. These structured feedback loops directly informed adjustments in project design and scaling, demonstrating how locally grounded learning can enhance both agility and effectiveness in high-intensity crisis settings.
Key Takeaways
Learning is most powerful when embedded in delivery.
We heard concrete examples of learning informing real-time decisions, from adapting cash approaches and refining logistics to strengthening coordination and improving SOPs.
Sharing learning supports continuity and handover.
Speakers emphasised the importance of learning workshops and peer exchanges that include communities, local authorities and other actors, ensuring insights remain locally anchored beyond project timelines.
The transition from relief to empowerment takes time.
Shifting expectations away from short-term service delivery towards long-term capacity strengthening requires sustained accompaniment and a willingness to challenge dependency dynamics.
Scaling good practice depends on safety, trust and systems.
Experiences from Ukraine illustrated how expanding rapid shelter responses required strong duty-of-care mechanisms, security coordination and volunteer support structures to maintain quality at scale.
Communities already hold many of the answers.
A central reflection across contexts was that meaningful learning happens when organisations create space to listen, recognise barriers to participation (including disability, age and gender) and support locally owned solutions.