Bridging Boundaries: Learning and Adapting for Program Improvements

The United States Agency for International Development, in collaboration with Global Communities, is enhancing Sri Lankan endeavors to promote social cohesion and reconciliation and foster a more inclusive and resilient society through the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SCORE) Activity. The activity operates in 14 districts across six provinces in Sri Lanka: Northern, North Central, Eastern, Uva, Central, and Southern Provinces. The technical strategy of SCORE is designed to work across three sub-purposes: 1) promoting a cohesive Sri Lankan identity; 2) reducing socio-economic disparities; and 3) enhancing community resilience through psychosocial support and capacity building of women and youth as peace leaders. 

Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) has been an integral part of SCORE’s approach—bringing SCORE to the forefront of community dialogue and leveraging community members’ deep understanding of local contexts, their active participation in civic activities, and their commitment to social responsibility. Introducing collaboration mechanisms such as 'pause and reflect' sessions, learning events, grant evaluations, and ongoing assessments, has fostered external collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning. This dynamic environment enables rapid adaptive management based on constant beneficiary feedback. As a result, SCORE's initiatives are more responsive, relevant, and effective in achieving its goals. Taking into consideration several learnings of SCORE, this case study describes how we have used external collaboration and adaptive management to engage with the community to ultimately strengthen their livelihoods through economic enhancement, promote better access to mental health services, and support Community Building Organizations’ (CBOs’) improved service delivery. In terms of external collaboration, SCORE established partnerships with various stakeholders—such as the Industrial Development Board, District Secretariat, and local grantees— to promote a collaborative approach to ensure effective implementation. SCORE then used the learning and reflections gathered through external collaboration to inform the adaptive management of interventions for improved program delivery.