FIRST+II MERL Community of Practice Holds Successful Inaugural Meeting - Evento

On Friday, April 25, 2025, the FIRST+II program, led by CapitalPlus Exchange Corporation (CapPlus), successfully convened the inaugural meeting of the FIRST+II Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Community of Practice (CoP) at the CapPlus office, East Legon, Accra.

The session brought together MERL leads and senior management representatives from six carefully selected FIRST+II partner organizations. These partners were specifically invited based on the similarity of their routine data collection strategies, allowing for focused and relevant peer learning. The meeting recorded full attendance and concluded with unanimous support for the formation of this strategic Community of Practice.

The maiden meeting served as a co-creation platform where partners actively defined the CoP’s purpose, structure, and priorities. Together, participants:

• Shaped the scope and objectives of the FIRST+II MERL Community of Practice

• Identified key learning themes and knowledge-sharing approaches

• Agreed on meeting frequency, roles, engagement platforms, and content formats

• Mapped out quick wins and next steps for immediate collaboration

The interactive agenda included breakout sessions, open forums, and group discussions, with partners sharing valuable insights to design a vibrant and impactful CoP. The commitment displayed throughout the meeting underscored the shared ambition to strengthen evidence-based learning and drive deeper program impact. Speaking at the session, Richard Obuobi, Program Director, emphasized that “a well-functioning MERL Community of Practice is critical to helping us track not just outputs, but real change across the ecosystem.” Fedelis Dadzie, Technical Director, added that “collaborative learning mechanisms like this CoP enable us to surface what’s working, challenge assumptions, and adapt strategies in real time and this is where real program resilience begins.”

CapPlus extends its gratitude to all partners for their enthusiasm, ideas, and collaboration. With the strong foundation laid, the FIRST+II MERL Community of Practice is poised to become a cornerstone for mutual learning, innovation, and continuous improvement within the program.