--- title: How does Collaborating, Learning & Adapting (CLA) improve Sustainable Impact Work? description: Describes the Collaborating, Learning & Adapting (CLA) framework and how it can be used to improve global development and sustainable impact work. image: https://www.resonanceglobal.com/hubfs/What%20is%20CLA.jpg --- [![Resonance Global](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/hubfs/Logos/resonance-global_logo.svg) ![Resonance Global](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/hubfs/Logos/resonance-global_workmark-tagline-logo-white.svg) ](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/) - What We Do - ### [How We Can Help](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/partnership-development) - [Partnership Strategy & Facilitation ](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/partnership-development/strategy-development) - [Multistakeholder Convening & Management](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/partnership-development/multistakeholder-management) - [Program Management & Innovation](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/services/designed-innovation) - [Training & Organizational Change](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/partnership-development/partnership-training) - [Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/services/monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-mel) ### [Areas of Expertise](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/areas-of-expertise) - [Agriculture & Food Systems](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/solutions/agriculture-and-food-security) - [Circularity](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/solutions/circularity) - [Supply Chain Resilience](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/solutions/supply-chain-consulting-and-strategy) - [Oceans & Blue Economy](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/solutions/fisheries-and-blue-economy) ### Who We Work With - [Corporates](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/who-we-work-with/companies) - [Philanthropy & Funders](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/who-we-work-with/development-finance-providers) - [Civil Society & nonprofits](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/who-we-work-with/nonprofits) - About Us - ### [About Us](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/about-us) Find out what differentiates us from other firms and how we can support your needs. - [Our Story](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/about-us/our-team) - [Our Values](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/about-us/our-core-values) - Resources - ### Resources Articles and impact stories highlighting best practices and new ideas in social and environmental impact work - [Fresh Insights](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog) - [Case Studies](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/project-profiles) - [Free Guides ](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/guides) - [Contact Us](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/contact-us) [** ](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/how-does-collaborating-learning-adapting-cla-improve-development-and-sustainable-impact-work#) ** [Article](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/topic/article) / [Monitoring and Evaluation](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/tag/monitoring-and-evaluation) / [Partnership Development](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/tag/partnership-development) / [Change Management](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/tag/change-management) # How does Collaborating, Learning & Adapting (CLA) improve Sustainable Impact Work? October 7, 2022 ** 2 minute read ![Monica Gadkari and Cara Hayes](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/hubfs/Logos/resonance-global-favicon.png) By [Monica Gadkari and Cara Hayes](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/author/monica-gadkari-and-cara-hayes) ![What is CLA?](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/hubfs/What%20is%20CLA.jpg) Resonance has been in the partnership business for over two decades, often working with multiple stakeholders in robust [cross-sector collaborations](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/how-to-successfully-manage-cross-sector-partnerships).Whether it’s [access to clean water](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/how-to-partner-with-the-private-sector-to-expand-access-to-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash), [women’s empowerment](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/key-areas-for-womens-empowerment) for [inclusive supply chains](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/investing-in-women-gda),[ sustainable fisheries management](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/project-profiles/fish-right), or harnessing entrepreneurial solutions through [open innovation](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/what-is-open-innovation) and [innovative finance](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/services/innovative-finance), as challenges become more complex, we often need strategies that are novel and creative. At the same time, impact partnerships often deploy approaches that have a proven track record for addressing projects or processes. This is true of the[ Collaborating, Learning & Adapting (CLA) Framework](https://usaidlearninglab.org/cla). ## What is The Collaborating, Learning & Adapting (CLA) Framework? CLA is one approach to managing and improve effectiveness of complex development initiatives and activities adaptively and iteratively. It is a framework accompanied by guidance that recognizes strategic collaboration, continuous learning, and adaptive management link together all components in the Program Cycle. In the simplest terms, incorporating with deliberateness effective CLA design across the entire initiative and programmatic activities can help development practitioners address challenges by thinking through: Collaborating: Are we collaborating with the right partners at the right time to promote long-term synergy rather than designing approaches to solve an immediate problem without regard to future connectivity or integration with other systems? Learning: Are we asking the most important questions and finding answers that are relevant to decision making? Adapting: Are we using the information that we gather through collaboration and learning activities to make better decisions and adjustments as necessary? Enabling Conditions: Are we working in an organizational environment that supports our collaborating, learning, and adapting efforts? Borrowing directly from the former USAID, CLA’s importance lies in: > Integrating CLA into sustainable impact work helps to ensure that programs are coordinated with others, grounded in a strong evidence base, and iteratively adapted to remain relevant throughout implementation. The systematic application of CLA approaches, led by people who have the knowledge and resources to carry them out, enables partners to be effective learning organizations and thereby a more effective development and implementing organizations. ## CLA Can Yield Intentional Collaboration, Improved Outcomes, And Sustainable Impact The dynamic cycle of CLA is ongoing and iterative. By looking to the past, present, and future, organizations coalesce partners and sector stakeholders around approaches that produce lasting results, measure those results in meaningful ways, and ensure that the important feedback loop between learning and adaptation continues. Although initially built for USAID, CLA frameworks have immense transferable value for private sector companies, philanthropy, and cross-sector partnerships. Whether embarking or embedding [ESG](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/what-is-esg), [UNSDGs](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/5-priority-un-sustainable-development-goals-for-company-action-in-2021), [Scope 3](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/scope-3-emissions-two-challenges-facing-the-food-and-beverage-industry), or [Sustainable Impact](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/services/sustainable-impact) initiatives, CLA can be one of many guiding tools in effective change management for [pressing breakpoint change](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/best-practices-to-lead-and-manage-breakpoint-change-in-sustainability) that can lead to impactful outcomes long-term. ##### Don’t Miss out ### Subscribe to our latest insights [![Contact us.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7126072/4e508c33-a0d7-40c5-8ef8-2236d462dc24.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7126072/4e508c33-a0d7-40c5-8ef8-2236d462dc24) ### Change Management CLA & MEL If you are a sustainability, impact, or partnership leader and would like to explore ways to incorporate CLA, MEL, and other change management approaches into your plans and strategies, contact Monica Gadkari today. [![Contact us.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7126072/4e508c33-a0d7-40c5-8ef8-2236d462dc24.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7126072/4e508c33-a0d7-40c5-8ef8-2236d462dc24) ## Related Articles ##### [Partnership Development](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/topic/partnership-development) ### [Managing Cross-Sector Partnerships for Success](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/managing-cross-sector-partnerships-for-success) [Article](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/topic/article) | February 11, 2026 ##### [Agriculture & Food Security](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/topic/agriculture-food-security) [Article](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/topic/article) ### [New Research Reveals Global Trends in Aquatic Food Trade and Consumption](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/new-research-reveals-global-trends-in-aquatic-food-trade-and-consumption) [Article](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/topic/article) | October 23, 2024 ##### [Agriculture & Food Security](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/topic/agriculture-food-security) [Article](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/topic/article) ### [6 Research Publications on Microplastics in Marine Environments](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/research-publications-on-microplastics-in-marine-environments) [Article](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/topic/article) | August 26, 2024 #### [How We Can Help](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/partnership-development) - [Partnership Strategy & Facilitation](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/partnership-development/strategy-development) - [Multistakeholder Convening & Management](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/partnership-development/adaptive-management) - [Program Management & Innovation](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/services/designed-innovation) - [Partnership Training & Organizational Change](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/partnership-development/partnership-training) - [Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/services/learning-and-change-management) #### [Areas of Expertise](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/areas-of-expertise) - [Agriculture & Food Systems](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/solutions/agriculture-and-food-security) - [Circularity](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/solutions/economic-growth-and-trade) - [Sustainable Fisheries & Blue Economy](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/solutions/environment-and-sustainability) - [Supply Chain Resilience](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/solutions/supply-chain-consulting-and-strategy) #### Who We Work With - [Companies](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/who-we-work-with/companies) - [Civil Society and NGOs](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/who-we-work-with/international-development) - [Philanthropy](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/who-we-work-with/development-finance-providers) #### [About Us](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/about-us/) - [Our Core Values](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/about-us/our-core-values) - [Our Team](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/about-us/our-team) - [Clients and Partners](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/about-us/clients-partners/) #### [Careers](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/careers) #### Resources - [Fresh Insights](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog) - [Case Studies](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/project-profiles) - [Free Guides](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/guides) #### [Contact Us](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/contact-us) #### Connect with us [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ssg-advisors) [**](https://www.facebook.com/ResoGlobo) [![Resonance Global](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/hubfs/Logos/resonance-global-logo.png)](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/) Resonance Global LLC 1121 Crandon Blvd, Suite E1107 Key Biscayne, FL 33149 © 2026 Resonance Global [Privacy Policy](https://www.resonanceglobal.com/privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Monica Gadkari and Cara Hayes", "url" : "https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/author/monica-gadkari-and-cara-hayes" }, "dateModified" : "2026-02-05T18:57:00.727Z", "datePublished" : "2022-10-07T15:03:16.000Z", "headline" : "How does Collaborating, Learning & Adapting (CLA) improve Sustainable Impact Work?", "image" : [ "https://www.resonanceglobal.com/hubfs/What%20is%20CLA.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.resonanceglobal.com/blog/how-does-collaborating-learning-adapting-cla-improve-development-and-sustainable-impact-work", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.resonanceglobal.com/hubfs/Logos/resonance-global-logo.png" }, "name" : "Resonance" } } ```