Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Workshop

Context

The USAID-funded Mekong for the Future (MFF) initiative aimed to strengthen natural resource governance in the Greater Mekong region by improving coordination among civil society organizations and other stakeholders. The program was implemented by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Asia Pacific.

Approach

USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) commissioned ME&A to facilitate a Pause and Reflect Workshop (January 2025) and a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop (planned for March 2025) as part of their Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) activities. Rippletree was contracted by ME@A to co-design and co-facilitate both workshops, with the purpose of collaboratively identifying MFF’s successful interventions and areas for improvement to inform the program’s future strategic direction.

Due to U.S. government funding cuts in late January 2024, Rippletree was able to plan and facilitate only the three-day Pause and Reflect Workshop, which took place January 21–23, 2025.

Process

• Consultations: In collaboration with the co-facilitator (Space Bangkok), held planning consultations with USAID/RDMA, WWF staff, and ME@A to refine workshop objectives, approach, and design.

• Co-designed workshop materials: Partnered with the co-facilitator to develop a detailed agenda, facilitation guides, and support tools in coordination with USAID/RDMA, WWF, and ME@A.

• Facilitated an inclusive hybrid workshop: Led a three-day participatory and interactive session for 53 in-person and virtual senior leaders from USAID/RDMA, WWF, and partner organizations, supported by the co-facilitator, translators, and a logistics team.

• Adaptive facilitation: Debriefed with USAID/RDMA and WWF leads during and after each workshop day to adjust content and flow in response to emerging discussions.

• Post-workshop contributions: Provided inputs to the workshop notetaker to inform the final workshop report.