Learning

Peer learning groups and processesDays on learning for NGOsReview and evaluation processesFacilitation of communities of practice

Peer learning: a structured and disciplined process for learning and sharing. The process is based on action learning and peer review and is highly time-efficient. Two groups, run through BOND, are currently running in 2010.

Peer learning can also be integrated into conference and away day processes to share experience or develop agendas for action around topics of interest to the group.

What peer learning group members say:

"I never want to miss a session -- it's really nice to have the space to meet with people I can be open and honest with."

"The process is incredibly clever in all respects -- it gives us confidence and helps us to realise what works and what doesn't work. We are helping others and ourselves at the same time."

"The discipline of it is what's so valuable and interesting."

Days on learning:  clarify what is meant by learning, why it is important, and ways to do it better. Explore the distinction and overlap between learning, evaluation and impact assessment.

Review and evaluation: Facilitation of international project learning reviews. Development of a narrative evaluation methodology which aims to explore what really happens in implementing a project.

I have carried out evaluations and reviews of large DFID funded projects for CARE International and other NGOs. Please contact me for further details and access to the public evaluation of CARE's Great Lakes Advocacy Group, a project which aims to reduce levels of violence against women in DRC, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.

Communities of practice: Facilitation of processes to start up CoP, strengthen them and reflect on their ongoing development. Communities of practice exist semi-formally and informally in many organisations and can be immensely useful for increasing effectiveness particularly in areas of technical specialty (e.g. HIV or gender). Because they are cross-organisational and do not involve line management, they are vulnerable and benefit from some external facilitation.