most significant change (msc) stories in the africa rising ethiopia project
DESCRIPTION
Presented by Elias Damtew, ILRI at the Innovation Platform Training Workshop, ILRI, Addis Ababa, 4 September 2014TRANSCRIPT
Elias Damtew, ILRI
Innovation Platform Training Workshop, ILRI, Addis Ababa, 4 September 2014
What is MSCs, in a nutshell?
The most significant change (MSC) technique is a form
of participatory monitoring and evaluation.
Many partners are involved
Occurs throughout the program cycle
Provides data on outcomes and impact
When to use MSCs- it is better suited for
programs that are
Complex and produce diverse and emergent
outcomes
Struggling with conventional monitoring systems
Capture unanticipated changes
Fundamental steps for MSC
1. Establishing champions and getting familiar with the
approach
2. Establishing ‘domains of change’
3. Defining the reporting period
4. Collection of SC stories
5. Selection of the most significant of these stories
6. Feedback to IP members concerning which SC stories
were
selected and why
How to capture SC stories
Interview and note-taking*
During group discussion*The beneficiary writes the story directly
Champions/TG write down unsolicited stories that they have heard
What information should be documented?
1. Information about who collected the story and when the events
occurred
2. Description of the story itself – what happened-should include
factual information that makes it clear who was involved, what
happened, where and when.
3. Significance (to the storyteller) of events described in the story.
How long should the stories be?
Most MSC are a page or less in length, with some being up to two
pages. Shorter MSC stories are quicker and easier to read. but
they should not be so short that vital information is left out.
While various processes can be used, the key ingredients to story
selection are:
• Everybody reads the stories
• The group holds an in-depth conversation about which stories should be
chosen
• The group decides which stories are felt to be most significant
• The reasons for the group’s choice(s) are documented.
Sample Significant Change StoryInformation- about the story
Tell me how you (the storyteller) first became involved with Osi Tanata, and what your current
involvement is:
I used to be a member of a community project. But I Ieft the community project in anticipation of disputes that
might occur within the community project. However, upon hearing that Osi Tanata was giving training to grass
roots, I attended some of the Osi Tanata training of project management.
From your point of view, describe the most significant change that has resulted from your involvement
with Osi Tanata (training/support or funding)
After the training I went back to my village and mobilized my family members to venture into organic gardening.
I decided to set up my own family project on organic gardening. Despite not having funding from any agency I
ventured into setting up this small project with only the knowledge that I got from Osi Tanata. We set up our
organic garden growing cabbages, capsicums, greens, tomatoes, aibika, chillies and other things.
Currently I am thankful for what I learned from Osi Tanata, and am using it. Today my project is progressing
well. We have sold many of their produces from their organic farm. For example, for a bed of cabbage, they are
getting around K100. Now they have spent the money to buy clothes and many other basic needs. Apart from
generating income the families and the surrounding villages have enough surplus to feed their family and
others. Also some of the money is being used to start other projects such as a trade store.
Why is this significant to you?
It is significant to me because at first I had no knowledge to run a project. Today I have a good project running
and the income from this project is being used to sustain the livelihood of my family.
Domain: Changes in people’s lives
Domains of change Stories can be developed around
Enhanced capacity Farmer, Farmer groups, CBOs who have applied new technologies and management practices
Individuals, groups, CBOs receiving training
enterprises being profitable
Individuals, groups, CBOs receiving assistance
Enhanced technology development,
dissemination, management and
information
New technologies and management practices researched, tested and made available
Yield increases, enhanced productivity
Area under improved technologies and management practices
Increased investment in agriculture and
nutrition activities
New private-public partnerships formed
Value of loans
Small and medium size enterprises accessing bank loans
No of small and medium size enterprises receiving developmentservices
No of beneficiaries accessing business and development services
Increased resilience of vulnerable
households
Rural households benefitting from interventions
Communities benefitting from interventions
Project partners Ethiopia
Local partners Ethiopia Academic institutions:
Wachemo, Mekelle, Madawolabu, Debre Berhan and Hawassa universities; Maichew Agricultural College
Regional research organizations:
Amhara Regional Agricultrural Research Institute, Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute
Federal research organizations:
Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research, Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute
Offices of Agriculture:
Endamekoni (Tigray), Basona Worena (Amhara), Lemo (SNNRP) and Sinana (Oromia)
Agricultural Transformation Agency
Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation
africa-rising.net
Thank You