1. M&E SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT, PHOTOGRAPHY ANDSUCCESS STORIES DOCUMENTATION TRAINING FOR MERCY CORPS LOCAL PARTNERS(ELDORET) LEAP II PROGRAMME By Josiah Mukoya; M&E Specialist26th April 2011MC Local partners M&E training 1

2. The Goal and LEAP II Youth ObjectiveLEAP II Goal:Strengthen the ability of local structures to address causes of post- election violence and promote sustainable peace and reconciliation inthe Rift Valley ProvinceObjective 3:Support youth integration and address a key cause of violence through youth leadership training, small scale cash for work communityreconstruction projects and IGAsMC Local partners M&E training2 3. Unemployment among the youth: a challengeMC Local partners M&E training 3 4. The road to youth empowerment!Youth Empowerment MC Local partners M&E training 4 5. M&E What?!Monitoring A simple recording of activities and results against plans and budgets. Provides recordsof activities and results, and signals problems to be remedied along the way. A continuous function that uses the systematic collection of data on specified indicatorsto provide Project management and the main stakeholders of an ongoing developmentintervention.Evaluation Explains why a particular problem has arisen, or why a particular outcome has occurredor failed to occur in relation to pre-set targets and objectives; the cause or effect.M&E Levels Input, Activity, Output, Outcomes and ImpactMonitoring and Evaluation are interdependentProject startMid-pointEnd of projectAssessmentMonitoringMonitoring Baseline Mid-term Evaluation Final Evaluation (Key indicators) (Explore implementation issues) (Effects of the projects) MC Local partners M&E training 5 6. Monitoring and Evaluation the differenceMC Local partners M&E training 6 7. Why M&E Promotes accountability and transparency Gives data for decision making Demonstrates results Promotes learning Facilitate project design Increasingly needed to be competitive in the development sector. Ensures agreed program design and strategies only get modified through a formalreview process, and when the program context changes (e.g. other causes of theoriginal problem have emerged) The adoption of Results-based M&E provides an opportunity to explore differentapproaches and methods which involve stakeholders more directly in buildingsustainable development results.MC Local partners M&E training7 8. Key Steps to effective M&E 1.Budget for M&E 1.Conduct regular meetings to 2.Staff for M&EReflect on M&E data 3.Incorporate M&E into project 2.Make the Log frame a living Work plandocument 4.Conduct a DM&E Workshop3.Report project results to at project start-upBeneficiaries and other 5.Develop an Indicator PlanStakeholders 6.Develop Data Collection and4.Conduct Baselines and Final Management Processes EvaluationsHow M&E has evolved: From monitoring and evaluating project processes, inputs and outputs to anemphasis on measuring results, outcomes and impact From M&E being predominantly donor-led to increased interest in country-ledapproaches, with evaluation increasingly conducted in partnership with a broaderrange of stakeholders, including the programs intended beneficiaries MC Local partners M&E training 8 9. Tools, Methods and Approaches to M&ETools Performance Indicators Measures/Scales of inputs, processes, outputs,outcomes and impacts for development projects, programs or strategies The Logical Framework ApproachMethods Quantitative Methods Surveys, project records etc Qualitative Methods Rapid Appraisal methods, case studies Participatory Methods PIA, PRA, Stakeholder mapping,Approaches Cost-benefit and cost-effective analysis Cost of an activity can be justifiedin monetary terms Impact Evaluation Systematic identification of +ve or ve effect of theprogram/activitiesMC Local partners M&E training9 10. The Logical Framework Approach Aids in identification ofexpected causal links-Program Logic-through; inputs,activities, outputs,objectives, and impact Helps clarify objectives Identifyingperformance indicators Improve quality ofproject and programdesignMC Local partners M&E training 10 11. LEAP II key personnel Country Director Program Manager Finance Officer M&E Officer Program Coordinator Program Coordinator Program Coordinator(Nakuru)(Eldoret)(Kericho) Program Officer Program Officer Program Officer(Nakuru) (Eldoret)(Kericho) PM (WYIPD)PM (PDF) PM (KYC)YDCs (Wareng, East, West, Nandi & YDCs (Mollo/Nakuru)Keiyo) YDCs (East, West)MC Local partners M&E training 11 12. The Power of Measuring Results (M&E) If you do not measure results, you cannot tell success from failure If you cannot see success, you cannot reward it If you cannot reward success, you are probably rewarding failure If you cannot see success, you cannot learn from it If you cannot recognize failure, you cannot correct it If you can demonstrate results, you can win public support.Source: 10 steps to results based M&E, Jody Zall Kusek and Ray C. Rist for WBMC Local partners M&E training12 13. LEAP II Program Monitoring Plan (PMP)MC Local partners M&E training 13 14. Roles and responsibilities for data collection, analysis and reporting(Outcome Indicators)MC Local partners M&E training14 15. Responsibility and Learning Flowchart for Indicators Program team DME focal person(YDCs, PM) YDCs fill activity (YDC) checksconducts activity report form during data and shares with MC Adviceand after activitywith PM, MC M&EOLessonsMonthly meetings Monthly reportsMC Quarterlywith lessons learntreports track from YDC to PM indicators, lessons send to MCs PO,learnt and recom.PC, M&E0 MC Local partners M&E training 15 16. LEAP II & YYC Monitoring tools Activity report form (During and immediately after the activity) Incidence report form Dispute resolution form Monthly Narrative report template/form- Executive Summary- Activity description, Progress against performance Benchmarks and Indicators- Challenges and Lessons learned/Recommendations- Next Month Work plan- Annex Photographs etcMC Local partners M&E training 16 17. LEAP II - two year Master Work Plan YEAR 2010 YEAR 2011YEAR 2012ActivityJuly Aug Sept OctNov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June JulyGoal 1. Build and strengthen local mechanisms for conflict mitigation and reconciliation1.0 Monthly Planning (PM, M&E,PCs, P.Os, PA,Finance)1.2 Baseline, conflict assessment andmapping1.3 Establishment and strengtheningof DPCs1.4 Conflict management andconsensus building training1.5 Conduct 32-40 district leadersdialogue forums1.6 Establishment of early warningsystems1.7 Multi district and provinvialleaders regional forumsGoal 2. Support community dialogues and implement joint develoment projects that build bridges among devided communnities for coexistence2.0 80 Community reconciliationdialogues implimentation2.1 64 district reconstruction projectsimplementation2.1 Joint monitoring teamsidentification and trainingGoal 3. Support youth integration and address a key cause of violence through youth leadership training, small scale Cash for work community reconstruction projects andincome generation activities3.1 Organisational capacity buildingof youth partenr & YSHG3.2 Core training for youth self helpgroups leaders3.3 40 rapid response C4W youthcommunity reconstruction projects3.4 Identification and implementationof 40 IGAs3.6 Production of 8 youth successstories MC Local partners M&E training17 18. Mercy Corps - LEAP II goal 3 Work Plan (January - June, 2011)PersonActivity JanuaryFebruaryMarch AprilMay June ResponsibleObjective 1: Build and strengthen local mechanisms for conflict mitigation and reconciliationObjective 2: Support community dialogues and implement joint development projects that build bridges among divided communities for peaceful co-existenceObjective 3: Support youth integration and address a key cause of violence through youth leadership training, small scale cash for work community reconstruction projects andIGAs3.1 Organizationalcapacity building foryouth partner and Local partners capacity building, 7thYSHGin all the districts. (PM,PCs)3.2 Core training for 1st KRC, 4th ELD, 21st(PCs,YSHG leadersNKR - core training Pos,YDCs)Shortlisting and environ. scan3.3 20/40 rapid complete by Dec. 2010, prev yearresponse youth C4W and send to USAID by 1st January Start implementation by(PCs,POs,reconstruct. projects 2011.1st Feb. 2011 YDCs)By 1st April, List of(Specialist,3.4 Identificationparticipants and youth 10th may, vetting 1st June, start private sector,and implementationgroups for IGA of business plans continuous business PM,PCs,of 20/40 IGAstraining ready and shortlistingmentoring YDCs)IGA training, 7thELD, 14th KRC and By 24th May IGA(PCs,POs,14th NKR money disbursed YDCs)Business plansdeadlines, 14th ELD,28th for KRC and (PCs,Pos,NKRYDCs) By 30th June 23.5 Production ofstories KRC, 5(PM,M&E,youth success storiesstories ELD, 2PCs,journalists, stories NKR PO, YDCs) MC Local partners M&E training 18 19. Photography and story telling for M&E What is it? The conveying of events and ideas inwords, gestures, images and sounds One of the most basic ways of sharingknowledge, of making sense of experienceand seeing oneself in relation to others The worlds oldest profession A way to reach out, connect and sharesomething with othersMC Local partners M&E training 19 20. Program story photography Photographs bring the story to life. Thephoto should be colorful, depict action,capture peoples attention, and feature amain character prominently. You should also include a caption orquote that briefly summarize what isoccurring in the photograph. Include the who -- including a name,what, when, and where in 8-15 words. MC Local partners M&E training 20 21. Tips for Taking Photographs Ask permission first Create a comfortable atmosphere Create a setting that will explain, clarify,and strengthen the story. Get close to the subject. Use the rule of thirds and place thesubject in the top or bottom and left or rightthird of the frame. Use available light instead of flash wheneverpossible. MC Local partners M&E training 21 22. Human interest/Impact/Success stories A success story - Illustrates a projects impact by detailing an individualspositive experiences in his or her own words. Success stories include thewhen, what, where, how, and why of a projects impact. A learning story - focuses on the lessons learned through an individualspositive and negative experiences (if any) with a project. Learning storiesexamine individual responses to challenges that arise out of the projectA good success story has the following:1. Compelling title2. Intriguing lead or hookDoug Haywood is the crab in the gumbo. And Mercy Corps is helping stir the pot.3. Good story-specific photos4. Character-driven details It might look like any other school day for 14-year-old Bosco Odongothetruth is, though, hes never been to school before.MC Local partners M&E training22 23. When writing a success story: Keep the story short. Between 500 and 750 words is ideal for maintaining readersinterest and conveying the information.Do . . . Keep your target audience in mind. Check the storys readability by asking a targetaudience member to read the story prior to publication. Include the subjects personality, surroundings, and his/her appearance (if relevantto the story) Focus on qualitative information, adding supporting quantitative information whereappropriate Include direct quotes from all information sources. If staff are quoted, present theirbackground, qualifications, and project experience Avoid acronyms, jargon, and foreign Include details to help non-technical readers understand any technical informationprovided Proofread the final story. MC Local partners M&E training23 24. Contn . Dont . . . Overdramatize the information asthis may lessen credibility Make subjective judgments,whether positive or negative,about an individuals appearance,character, or experiences Dehumanize interviewees byusing impersonal language (forexample, it is better to write aperson improved his/hersituation, rather than a personwas rehabilitated). MC Local partners M&E training 24 25. Success story The body Start with a good headline or title that issimple, jargon-free, and has impact. The headline should summarize thestory in a nutshell; and include actionverbs that bring the story to life. Yourheadline should include few words. Build a narrative flow for your story -with a beginning, middle, and end. Describe the problem or the issue andthe solution or response. Avoid acronyms, program names, andpartner names. Focus on the main subject of the story:the people that this program helps.MC Local partners M&E training 25 26. People relate to other people Not ProgramsHer name is Laurene. She lives in achurch. She is 10 years old.She is among thousands of childrenwho have taken refuge in urban Gomasgritty neighborhoods rather than riskdangers in the camps. Theyre beinghoused in churches, schools, communitycenters and other public buildings - buttheyre neither getting the food nor mostof the other assistance that those in thecamps are receiving.Mercy Corps has stepped up to fill thevoid and meet at least three of theirmost critical needs: clean water,sanitation and hygienebut its not easyto explain why we didnt bring foodtoday.So Laurene sits quietly on a churchpew, in the place she now calls home,and waits for something to eat. MC Local partners M&E training 26 27. How Mercy Corps use the stories The Mercy Corps Blog: beganMay 2009, now has more than600 blog entries from 170bloggers in 34 differentcountries Web feature sections thathighlight a certain region,country or social challenge more than 2,000 stories on site Pitching stories to media Fundraising through emails ,web appeals and campaignsMC Local partners M&E training 27 28. THANKS MC Local partners M&E training 28