Reimagining evidence use in Community-led Learning Ecosystems

A new learning brief and in-depth report from the Jacobs Foundation, developed in collaboration with On Think Tanks, explore how Community-led Learning Ecosystems (CLLEs) are using evidence to improve education outcomes in context-specific and sustainable ways.

Drawing from interviews with practitioners and case studies across a range of geographies, the research offers insights into how local actors are working to embed evidence in decision-making processes, shift power to those closest to learners, and navigate the complex political, social, and cultural factors that influence education reform.

The findings align closely with the Foundation’s Strategy 2030, emphasizing the importance of strengthening local leadership and investing in systems that can learn, adapt, and respond. While there is no single blueprint for building a CLLE, the report highlights common patterns across successful examples: trust-building among stakeholders, shared accountability, and the ability to combine research insights with lived experience.

These lessons are particularly relevant for philanthropic organizations, policymakers, and implementers seeking to support education initiatives that are not only evidence-informed but deeply rooted in the realities of the communities they aim to serve.

As the Foundation continues working to translate research into meaningful change, the experiences of CLLEs offer a reminder that system transformation begins with listening and learning at the local level.