Our approach to learning

At Healthy Cities for Adolescents, evidence and learning is central to everything we do. We continuously gather insights, test and adapt to understand what works, for whom and in which urban contexts. This helps us strengthen our projects and contribute to better policies and practices for adolescent health and wellbeing in cities.

What we are learning

We generate learning that relates to our four strategic goals and delivery approaches in cities.

Learning is gathered at multiple levels — from local projects to the global programme.

At project level

Each project generates evidence based on its local context and priorities
Adolescents and youth are actively involved in reflection and feedback
Insights are used to adapt activities in real time

At programme level

Learning is guided by a shared Theory of Change
Evidence from different countries and cities is brought together and analysed
This helps identify patterns, scale what works, and challenge what doesn’t

Across the system

Learning is co-created with partners and adolescents
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS), our external Global Learning Partner, supports deeper reflection and research
Emerging insights feed into project and programme strategy and global discussions

Learning and evidence-sharing across the programme happens through: