The JL4D focuses on research and case studies oriented to innovation and how does it contribute to development. In the past years, the dominant themes have been OER supporting TEL, the concept of L4D itself, and innovative technology applications to address contextual needs. As Mays (2023) points out “we need to keep thinking about the why (learning for development) and the how (technology-enabled) and keep evaluating what we are achieving (lessons of experience and research) in order to close the feedback loop into improved practice”. Within this framework, a major focus of L4D is the learner, and how learners are innovating and leveraging resources (especially technology-enabled learning resources) for self and community development. The present issue of the Journal is devoted to focusing on learners in ‘learning for development’.