Creating a Community of Local Systems Practitioners to Address Local Development Challenges Using “Systems Thinking”

The Communities of Practice for Effective Partnerships (COPE) Activity demonstrates the power of localized systems thinking in addressing complex development challenges. Established in 2023, COPE emerged from USAID's Local Systems Practice Activity, which, from 2017 to 2020, equipped organizations across eight countries in Asia and Latin America with systems thinking training. COPE was designed to cultivate a community of practice focused on practical, systems-based solutions to local issues while emphasizing that systems thinking and knowledge sharing across borders and sectors can provide solutions to community challenges. 

COPE incentivized its members with $55,000 USD each for demonstration projects that would show how systems thinking can be applicable in their local contexts. Through a virtual kick-off session that defined community practices and goals, emphasizing openness and collaboration, and the use of digital platforms such as Google Classroom and Gitbook, ongoing interaction, resource sharing, and collective learning led to a better understanding of systems thinking. By prioritizing intentional engagement and supportive networking, COPE has demonstrated that localized systems thinking can lead to meaningful development outcomes, enhance collaborative learning, and drive effective problem-solving in complex environments.