The Institute of Informatics and Development (IID) has reported significant advancements in social accountability initiatives in  Bangladesh. Supported by Education Out Loud, IID has successfully established some robust partnerships, received guidance from external experts, and implemented structured training programs to enhance the quality of education and the school system in Bangladesh. Additionally, they have refined education strategies and outreach efforts, resulting in more impactful community engagements and policy influence.

Bangladesh faces critical challenges, including the need for stronger social accountability mechanisms, more effective training and capacity-building programs, and enhanced community engagement to ensure tangible impacts on education and policy. These issues are further compounded by inadequate monitoring and evaluation processes, limited outreach, and insufficient integration of local communities in decision-making.

IID is actively addressing these problems, leading the way towards better education in Bangladesh.

The Journey of Improving Education 

Kazi Ferdous Pavel, Joint Director at IID, explains how the collaborations with the learning partners of Education Out Loud, PRIA , MDF and ACER*, have been crucial for shaping the operational strategies for the future. He states,

"Working with EOL's learning partners like PRIA, MDF and ACER, we've revisited and refined our theory of change to ensure better outcomes. This not only improved our understanding, but also helped us operationalise social accountability more effectively". 

- Kazi Ferdous Pavel, Joint Director, Research at The Institute of Informatics and Development. 

These robust partnerships played a significant role in enhancing IID’s understanding of social accountability, stakeholder engagement and impact assessment.

The collaboration with these partners provided the expertise needed to recalibrate their approach. Kazi Ferdous Pavel explains further,

"We have changed the way we look at our stakeholders and the level of impact we envision, ensuring that every initiative is aligned with our refined objectives".

- Kazi Ferdous Pavel, Joint Director at The Institute of Informatics and Development

IID's journey with EOL also involved a good internal evaluation, where they assessed the effectiveness of their initiatives in real-time. The Chief Executive Officer at IID, Syeed Ahamed, also highlights the multifaceted approach to learning that the organisation adopted. He explains,

"We have embraced a collaborative approach where knowledge is not only acquired but actively translated and applied across the organisation. Moreover, our participation in learning collaboratives and internal process evaluations has fostered a culture of continuous improvement" 

- Syeed Ahamed, CEO at The Institute of Informatics and Development

The organisation has embraced a leadership-driven approach, ensuring that knowledge is not only disseminated from the top but also actively implemented. The structured training programs helped reinforce a continuous learning culture, facilitating both practical application and strategic improvements. By engaging in learning groups and consistently reviewing their processes, IID is continually improving and evolving.

From Insights to Action: To improve Community Engagement and Policy Dialogue

IID replicated their learned strategies to enhance the capabilities of local community-based organisations. The structured training programs, developed with the guidance of external experts, were instrumental in enabling these organisations to adopt improved practices. Syeed Ahamed elaborates,

 "After assimilating valuable insights from our learning partners, we have successfully shared these strategies with local entities, thus amplifying the reach and effectiveness of social accountability efforts across the board". 

- Syeed Ahamed, CEO The Institute of Informatics and Development

 Three main results  emerged from the training programs:

• Enhanced engagement in policy dialogues
• Better stakeholder interactions 
• More targeted community outreach 

These outcomes did not only reflect the organisation's commitment to leveraging knowledge for practical improvements but also underscored the importance of collaborative learning environments in the development sector.

Both Kazi Ferdous Pavel and Syeed Ahamed are optimistic about the future, acknowledging that the journey of learning and adaptation is ongoing. 

Thanks to EOL, they have succeeded to establish a proactive approach to learning and development. As IID continues to evolve, the impact of their work is anticipated to expand, reaching more communities and shaping broader policy frameworks in Bangladesh. The institute’s experience exemplifies the power of strategic learning and partnership in driving social change.

*Education Out Loud’s Learning Partners mentioned in this article are PRIA: Participatory Research in Asia, MDF: Management for Development Foundation, and ACER: The Australian Council for Educational Research