Many challenges in development are not only technical; they are shaped by how systems operate in practice—how decisions are made, how power is exercised, and how relationships are formed and sustained. While policy commitments to equity, localisation, and partnership continue to grow, the everyday realities of practice often tell a different story.

The Collaborative Unlearning Labs exist to create a structured space to surface and examine these realities. They enable practitioners to notice what has become normalised, reflect on how work is actually done, and critically explore the assumptions that shape decisions and behaviours within development systems. By bringing together diverse actors across roles and contexts, the Labs open up dialogue that is often difficult to have within formal institutional settings.

We believe that meaningful change begins with understanding how systems function in practice—and how we, as practitioners, are positioned within them. The Labs are therefore not about prescribing solutions, but about creating the conditions for deeper awareness, honest reflection, and new possibilities for practice to emerge