A successful way for projects to learn from each other is through twinning learning exchanges. In these exchanges, a less experienced project is paired with a more mature project or partner organization, effectively building the capacity of project and government staff to achieve improved project implementation and results and higher sustainability success. Since 2003, IW:LEARN projects have facilitated 37 twinnings involving 287 beneficiaries as part of 64 GEF IW projects. A further eight twinnings were conducted during the LME:LEARN project (operational from 2016-2020). More information on previous project twinning exchanges and key documents for the twinning exchanges can be found here.

IW:LEARN5 (2022-2026) will fund a series of iterative twinning exchanges (two exchanges). These exchanges, which involve two visits between the same projects and their identified partners, will promote stronger partnerships and allow for the setting of goals over the duration of the IW:LEARN project. Additional project funds are also allocated to ad-hoc proposals (one exchange) submitted by projects to catalyse twinning arrangements, providing further opportunities for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

The main objectives of twinning exchanges are to:

• Exchange project experience and expertise at the operational level between projects with similar goals, objectives and activities;
• Mutually increase capacity for more effective protection of shared resources and sustainable management of transboundary water systems; and
• Document and disseminate recommendations and lessons gleaned from the exchanges across participating GEF IW projects.

The activity will contribute to the overall goal of enhancing portfolio and partner capacity by directly transferring personal knowledge, expertise, and practical skills.

The deadline to submit the Twinning Request Form or Knowledge Donor Form (Step 1) is 15 November 2024. 

Note that approval of expression of interests is subject to IW: LEARN5 Project Steering Committee.