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We are changing the learning paradigm in the NGO sector, which is essential to flexibly meet the challenges and needs of the 21st century. This means understanding both trends and realities of development and humanitarian work as well as making use of the opportunity to pair solid teaching theory with more access to innovative technology. As our name shows, we are committed to both learning and experimentation.
Learning Lab is a part of the Danish NGO, DanChurchAid (DCA).
We believe that empowering vulnerable and marginalized people through capacity building is a critical vehicle for organisational agility and the societal change processes DCA supports globally. We do this through co-creating activities and tools together with other organisations and their staff as well as end beneficiaries.
Learning Lab (LLAB) is a team in DCA’s International Department as well as the facilitator of the ACTLearn Partnership. We are a team of passionate experts who work with you to transform your learners into skilled knowledge-holders and practitioners through effective, evidence-based, and user-centered design.
DanChurchAid's aim is to strengthen the world’s poorest people in their struggle for a life in dignity.
DCA is rooted in the Danish National Evangelical Lutheran Church, but is active wherever we find the need is highest, regardless of religion, gender, political beliefs, race, national or ethnic origins, handicaps or sexual orientation.
We work within the ACT Alliance and the ACTLearn partnership to develop learning solutions and experiences. Whether we collaborate across organisations to develop a digital training, use graphic facilitation in a design workshop, or share expertise to create something entirely new, we accomplish more together than we could apart to increase the quality of life for those who we work with in the global south.
The ACTLearn Partners include DanChurchAid, Finn Church Aid, Church of Sweden, Lutheran World Federation, Diakonia Sweden, ACT Secretariat, and Norwegian Church Aid. We have also collaborated with other ACT Alliance members.
We want to change the way the development and humanitarian sector learns. With a global framework and global leadership producing content that is locally relevant, we can help many more people. Please contact us if you want to learn more about what we can do for your project.We work in ongoing learning partnerships and relationships with other NGOs, the private sector, government institutions, and educational institutions where our organizational values are aligned.
We have collaborated effectively with Swedish Mission Council, Niras, Aalborg University, IT-Kartellet, VSL Associates, FAHU, and the Danish Agency for Modernisation.
We collaborate with experts and co-create digital and analogue courses with users to provide context-appropriate delivery and content.
We connect organisational strategies to
meaningful learning pathways through communities of practice by harnessing and
sharing existing knowledge.
We enable co-creation with those who have shared goals to maximise resources and draw on diverse perspectives for quality results.
As you can see, LLAB develops learning materials in many ways. These are just some examples of different course types, delivery methods, and collaborative partnerships. You can see more about the courses when you click on the logo; please reach out to your team if you have further questions about any of these or our other offerings.
| DCA Essentials | Theory of Change | VSLA Training App |
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| On-demand online course | Facilitator Guide/Online real-time training | Mobile training application |
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| Religion and Development | Graphic Facilitation/SHOW-IT | Introduction to HRBA |
| Multi-organisation on-demand course |
In-person graphic workshop tool | On-demand site/Workshop primer |
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| DCA-HQ Onboarding Learning Path | Community-Based Psychosocial Support | Kakuma/Kalobeyei Business Community |
| On-demand induction learning path |
On-demand online training | User-generated community site |
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The Learning Lab consists of 6 team members. See who we are below!
 Simon Skårhøj Head of Learning Lab |
 Christoffer Bengt Technology and Production Lead |
 Gry Zierau Creative Learning Designer |
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 Sidsel-Marie Winther Prag Learning Experience Design Lead |
 Stephanie Rahbek Simonsen Learning Experience Designer |
 Tanja Holst Jensen Project Manager |
In May 2017 Learning Lab began to share News from ACTLearn in the form of a newsletter. Each issue gives readers a quick update on some aspects of learning through feature stories, news updates, and information on courses and projects that come out of the ACTLearn Partnership or in collaboration with other organisations.
