Lessons from Lessons Learned - A review of lessons learned by CEPF grantees in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, 2012 - 2019

Sep 12, 2026

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Lessons from Lessons Learned reviews how CEPF grantees in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot captured, used, and shared lessons learned between 2012 and 2019. The study analyzes grantee lesson-learned content, examines best practices for collecting, storing, and disseminating knowledge, and synthesizes findings into recommendations tailored to the hotspot. It also frames why donors and conservation practitioners need structured learning to avoid repeating failures and to scale effective approaches.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Understanding Lessons Learned

The need for Learning

What are Lessons Learned?

Analysis of Lessons Learned in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot

Overview

Methodology and results

Recommendations on Gathering Lessons Learned

Recommendations on Storing Lessons Learned

Recommendations on Disseminating Lessons Learned

Specific recommendations for CEPF

References

Lessons from Lessons Learned A review of lessons learned by CEPF grantees in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, 2012 – 2019. About this report This report presents the results of a study by Paul Mugo with funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), through a sponsorship by BirdLife International, in its role as the Regional Implementation Team in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot. The scope of work included an analysis of grantee lessons learned in the hotspot, literature study on best practices in effective gathering, storage and sharing of lessons learned; and recommendations on how to apply these best practices in the hotspot. About CEPF The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. About the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot The Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, which includes 310+ key biodiversity areas and 14 conservation corridors, spreads over 15 countries from Saudi Arabia in the North to Mozambique in the South. CEPF investment in this hotspot totaled USD 12 million which provided about 160 grants to over 100 grantees. All these grantees provided progress and final reports which included sections on lessons learned. Compiled and edited by Paul Mugo and Emma Powell, PhD. Central Michigan University. Key contributions from: Maaike Manten, BirdLife International (Eastern Afromontane Regional Implementation Team) . Dan Rothberg, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. Table of contents 1. Understanding Lessons Learned ............................................................................................................................ 1 The need for Learning...................................................................................................................................... 1 What are Lessons Learned? ............................................................................................................................ 1 2. Analysis of Lessons Learned in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot ..............................................3 Overview ..........................................................................................................................................................3 Methodology and results ..................................................................................................................................3 3. Recommendations on Gathering Lessons Learned ............................................................................................ 10 4. Recommendations on Storing Lessons Learned ................................................................................................ 11 5. Recommendations on Disseminating Lessons Learned .................................................................................... 13 6. Specific recommendations for CEPF.................................................................................................................... 17 7. References .............................................................................................................................................................22 1. Understanding Lessons Learned The need for Learning Donors, grantee civil society organizations and individuals working in biodiversity conservation cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. They need to carefully reflect on what works well and why, and what to do differently in the future. It is, therefore, important to create a positive learning environment through which conservation projects go beyond generating outcomes to generating knowledge. What are Lessons Learned? Lessons Learned convey k

FAQs

What are “lessons learned” in this report’s context?

Lessons learned convey experiential knowledge gained during project design, implementation, or conclusion. They help future project success and guide corrective actions and prevention of repeating problems.

How was the analysis of lessons learned carried out in the Eastern Afromontane hotspot?

The analysis reviewed 129 grants across small and large grant categories, involving national and international organizations. Projects were implemented across 13 countries within the hotspot.

What recommendations does the report provide to improve lessons learned?

It offers recommendations for gathering, storing, and disseminating lessons learned, plus specific guidance for CEPF. The aim is to make lessons useful and usable for conservation practitioners across the hotspot and beyond.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Bintang