Learning in Lending: The World Bank’s Organisational Learning Journey in Albanian Health Financing Reform Projects, 1994–2022

Abstract

Fostering a learning culture is crucial for aid and development organisations to address the complexities and uncertainties in their operating environments. This case study examines the World Bank’s learning processes in lending projects, focusing on the Albanian health financing reforms from 1994 to 2022. Using the Learning in Lending conceptual framework developed by the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group, the qualitative analysis of World Bank documents and reports offers valuable insights into the dynamics of learning processes in health projects. The findings illustrate a feedback loop process encompassing three distinct steps and reveal three types of learning: learning into lending, learning while lending, and learning from lending. By shedding light on the intricacies of the World Bank’s learning processes in health lending projects, this study not only deepens our understanding of how the organisation learns from its experience but also highlights the shortcomings and limitations of the process. Moreover, it emphasises the dual value of learning for multilateral and aid organisations, such as the World Bank, namely improving project results and addressing challenging developmental issues.