Peer learning is attracting growing interest as a way to spread successful sanitation practices and improve local government performance in low-resource settings. However, few studies have investigated whether it leads to changes in practice and improved sanitation outcomes.
This study identifies and evaluates causal linkages between peer learning activities and any changes to participants’ capacity, local government practices and increases in sanitation coverage in rural districts in Mozambique. Contribution Analysis, a theory-based evaluation approach, was used to design a longitudinal study investigating outputs, outcomes and impacts of two peer learning workshops between Open Defecation Free (ODF) Districts and non-ODF Districts in Mozambique alongside the enablers and barriers to change.
The research draws on a survey of 66 participants directly after the workshops and 29 semi-structured follow-up interviews nine months later. We found that despite broader structural challenges that hinder progress in sanitation service provision, the workshops enabled the spread of knowledge of good practices (outputs), some of which were replicated (outcomes). There is evidence that these replicated practices accelerated progress towards ODF status (impact) in some districts.
The findings demonstrate that under the right conditions peer learning can nurture local learning, improve knowledge, spread frugal practices and lead to incremental improvements in local government performance. It is therefore recommend to be integrated into broader programmes to maximise benefits.
