Conclusion

This learning forum was a great opportunity to intentionally develop circles of learning among colleagues within organizations and among ENGAGE partners. While it had to take place virtually, we felt connected and were able to explore the relevance of concepts and policies to local and day to day realities as well as the role of adaptation for diverse contexts.

By taking a women-centered and feminist approach to the ENGAGE project and to asset-based community development, we are trying to bridge a gap between a communities interests and resources, mobilizing, and transformation. Through the conversations, our partners noted the important of building community, shared and individual leadership, mutual recognition, empowerment, and transformation. This happens as much in our local work as it does in our transnational partners of six organizations and six countries. This unique melding of asset-based and feminist approaches is already helping us learn from one another’s successes and challenges, replicate good practices, and develop innovative approaches to while influencing the policy environment for women’s leadership and active citizenship.

We see there is much sharing to take place in the future and the forum signals research areas as well such as the need to ground feminist practice in the reality of partners and demystify it. We look forward to the next forum in 2022!