Reflection and Adaptive Management in Action in Mozambique

In Northern Mozambique, the Feed the Future Resilient Coastal Communities (RCC) project, led by iDE, grappled with fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among its diverse stakeholders. The project's large geographic scope and varying levels of familiarity with its framework and data presented challenges to effective communication and decision-making. The RCC consortium is made up of four partners: iDE, Rare, Terra Firma, and H2N. Each partner brings unique expertise to the project, but the geographic spread of the consortium and the diversity of its members made it difficult to establish a shared understanding of project goals, strategies, and results.

To address these issues, RCC implemented Pause and Reflect (P&R) workshops as part of its Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach. These workshops facilitated a structured process of reflection, data analysis, and knowledge exchange, enabling the consortium to make informed, evidence-based decisions for adaptive management. By incorporating diverse perspectives and promoting a shared understanding of project goals and findings, RCC enhanced the effectiveness and sustainability of its interventions. The P&R workshops also served as a platform for engaging with external stakeholders, including government officials, fostering collaboration and ensuring that project interventions aligned with local needs and priorities.

The success of the P&R workshops demonstrates the value of intentional learning and collaboration in navigating complex development challenges. By integrating CLA principles into its approach, RCC was able to overcome initial obstacles and foster a more cohesive and impactful project implementation in Northern Mozambique.