“A comprehensive training covering the most important fundamentals of M&E. Very well-structured too,” latest M&E f Results course participant.
This July, we once again held our summer Monitoring and Evaluation for Results course on the Brighton seafront. 16 participants came together to learn about current and widely-used M&E approaches, and practice M&E methods. Like many of IMA’s open courses, the multiple diversity is what strikes you most. 11 nationalities were represented: Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Tajikistan, South Korea, US and UK. The broad spectrum of M&E experience spanned from minimal M&E exposure to decades of experience. Participants came from different institutional bodies: government, private sector, INGOs and donor agencies. Their current work focus areas include malaria, nutrition, narcotics and law enforcement, banking, peace-building and multi-sectoral programmes, both at project/community and strategic/regional levels. We feel this diversity is a rich environment for learning, sharing, challenging each other’s mind-sets and re-thinking patterns and behaviour. Our training design and facilitation approach builds on this richness as we worked with participants’ live projects as case studies; ran peer support sessions; and matched demand for input on certain topics with offers of experience from those who wanted to share.
Participants were particularly keen to learn about Evaluations: how to choose methods and approaches; how to commission and manage evaluations; how best to use evaluation findings. Everyone really appreciated the hands-on data gathering fieldwork with a young women’s group supported by the TDC. In groups, they then used the data to work through a theory of change process and develop theories of change for TDC’s work with young women in Brighton. The practical data gathering exercise is always one of the highlights of our 10-day course. The focus on purposive adult learning and application of new skills is another of our key concerns. Participants clarified their learning objectives at the start, and identified their organisational drivers, referring to these as the course progressed. Daily journaling and reflection in different formats helped to embed individual learning and support participants in thinking through actual application of concepts and methods learned.
“The programme was a very rewarding experience; the faculty and wealth of resources was incredible” - latest M&E f Results course participant.
The Lesotho Data for Sustainable Development Project is aimed at developing capacities for collection, analysis and dissemination of development data (funded by UNDP and the EU). A 5 day residential training took place at Mohale Lodge, Lesotho, with 76 participants from different ministries, academic institutions and other bodies. Five IMA facilitators conducted the training designed to assist in building institutional support and technical skills, to strengthen national and sectoral capacities, to generate and utilize data for Results Based Monitoring and Evaluation.
The participants were split into their sectoral sub groups, and developed their understanding of RBM with a focus on the strategic goals each group specified using guidance from the National Strategic Development Plan, each sector sharing their work to connect with the whole group’s collective experience. 22 participants took part in a further three day Training of Trainers to learn and practice facilitation techniques to be able to deliver the RBM course in the future.
A particular success was the social mapping exercise which with such a big group of willing and energetic participants was an excellent way to start off this busy workshop.
by Silvia Capezzuoli
It is an amazing feeling to see the ripple effect of the training we ran in December 2017 on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) for REBYC-LAC II.
IMA has been supporting EAFM initiatives since 2013, initially in Asia and more recently in Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting the sustainable and equitable use of fisheries-related resources. The EAFM approach has been developed and refined by the EAFM consortium. It is based on the three components of Human and Ecological Wellbeing through Good Governance. Key principles are: good governance, appropriate scale, increased participation, multiple objectives, cooperation and coordination, adaptive management and precautionary approach.
In December 2017 we ran EAFM training and Training of Trainers for FAO’s ‘Sustainable Management of Bycatch in Latin America and Caribbean Trawl Fisheries’ (REBYC-II LAC) project, with agency staff and fisher associations represented from the 6 project countries in the region. Many of these countries have now carried out their own training and awareness raising for their key stakeholders.
In February 2018 INVEMAR ran a familiarisation session for scientific researchers and WWF in Colombia; a month later Magdalena University and WWF then co-ran a participatory EAFM workshop with INVEMAR for 70+ fisherfolk http://www.fao.org/in-action/rebyc-2/news/detail/en/c/1113471/
In March 2018 in Costa Rica, INCOPESCA strengthened capacity of its own agency staff http://www.fao.org/in-action/rebyc-2/news/detail/en/c/1110298/ and Suriname ran familiarisations sessions for fishers and fisheries stakeholders http://www.fao.org/in-action/rebyc-2/news/detail/en/c/1107209/
We are looking forward to more news from the REBYC-LAC II region!
For more information on EAFM see http://www.eafmlearn.org/
Great sharing on our last day of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Training of Trainers, near Tarcoles, on Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The 6 participating Latin America and Caribbean country teams presented solid strategies for supporting the development/revision of pilot site fisheries management plans. Coaching provided by REBYC II-LAC project coordinator, senior lecturer from University of West Indies, Chris Grose and Silvia Capezzuoli.
Learn more about EAFM here...
http://www.eafmlearn.org/
Evidence from around the world shows that a broader understanding of Social Protection, encompassing universal elements, rather than a poverty focus, ultimately contributes not only to enhancing economic and social well being, but also contributes directly to more cohesive societies. The mindset shift is to move from a benefit approach to one of entitlements as citizens.
Last week Silvia Capezzuoli lead on facilitating a week-long WFP-funded training initiative for enhancing social protection in Kenya, with content developed and presented by Development Pathways. This training of trainers (TOT) was the starting point of a WFP-supported Learning and Development programme supporting the Social Protection Secretariat (SPS) core national team to advocate for broader social protection in Kenya.
We created an environment where SPS staff felt comfortable with and debated new content. Most importantly, we ensured participants practised delivering actual mini-sessions to familiarise themselves with all materials and skills needed to facilitate the 2-day social protection course themselves as they move forward.
We are in Rayong, Thailand and it is great to see trainers from SEAFDEC run the course that we initially developed on Essential Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EEAFM). The Thai participants are deep in discussion deciding on the appropriate objectives and indicators for their EAFM draft plan. Tomorrow we will be going on a field trip to put more learning into practice.