What is a ‘community of practice’ in the context of LIFE-AR?
A CoP is a group of individuals with a shared interest and a common desire to improve their own practice. The CoP provides a valuable forum for informal learning where peers interact from across different teams, businesses or organisations.
A CoP is driven and sustained by its members, rather than being managed from outside. This informality and commitment enable CoPs to learn in ways that are often more relevant and advanced than formal training. This is because CoPs excel in exchanging cutting-edge and undocumented ‘tacit’ knowledge among those who already have experience and want to maintain and expand their skills and knowledge or apply them to a new challenge.
In a CoP trust is key; members should feel free to share both their failures and their strengths. A CoP is most effective when members can trust each other to be respectful and supportive.
Why are CoPs important to LIFE-AR?
LIFE-AR countries agree that CoPs are important for the following reasons:
- To develop context-informed solutions
- To enhance cross-sector working
- To share knowledge from local adaptation
- To strengthen national and local capabilities and capacities
- To support South-South collaboration, and
- To strengthen the evidence base of what works in business unusual adaption and resilience.
If similar groups, forums or networks already exist, they can be adapted or become a partner to achieve these benefits.
Interested in setting up a Community of Practice?
Follow our step by step guide!
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