The EIP collects, develops and shares tools and approaches to help members and partners implement P2P initiatives, and to track the outcomes of the learning process.
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Tools and instruments
- Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram. A tool that helps deconstruct, diagnose and visualize problems. Several websites offer free fishbone diagram templates.
- Results Evidence Sheet (GPI). A simple tool that supports real-time monitoring of change processes. A sample sheet can be found on p.16 in the EIP Lessons Harvesting report.
- Capacity self-assessment tool (GPI). A tool that helps peer partners understand how different partners assess different aspects of the problem in relation to their own organizational capacity.
- Digital tools for M&E (regularly updated): M&E Software: A List – Monitoring and Evaluation NEWS (mande.co.uk)
- Cynefin framework. Originally developed as a tool to aid decision making, the Cynefin framework offers a way to understand and categorise different types of problems and strategies towards potential solutions.
Methods and approaches
- Institutional Core Capabilities Framework (EIP). This framework provides a way to apply a systems filter to MEL in P2P learning, by monitoring core capabilities at different levels of operation, and how they interlink.
- Outcome Mapping / Outcome Harvesting. Outcome Harvesting enables P2P and MEL practitioners to identify and make sense of outcomes: demonstrated, verifiable changes in behaviour influenced by an intervention.
- Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA). PDIA is a step-by-step process that allows teams to solve complex problems, by breaking down problems into root causes, identifying entry points, searching for solutions, taking action, adapting and acting again.
- Most Significant Change approach. A qualitative and participatory form of monitoring and evaluation based on the collection and systematic selection of stories of reported changes from development activities (ADB 2009).
- Peer learning methods and approaches by UCLG:
o Seek, Sense, Share – Your City Practice in the Networks
o City to City: A Guide to the UCLG Learning Universe
o Online courses, including on SDG localisation
Tools for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) in P2P partnerships
The EIP works to identify good practices and approaches to MEL in P2P partnerships, including by developing and curating MEL tools applicable to P2P learning initiatives. The work aims to support P2P practitioners, but also to generate more systematic evidence on the value of P2P as an approach to institutional development.
An initial stocktaking of experiences among EIP Advisory Group members, captured in the report Lessons Harvesting: Learning from P2P engagements, identified both the attributes to effective P2P partnerships and the lessons that can help inform the development of MEL frameworks for institutional learning and development.
Building on insights from the stocktaking report, a series of learning events were organised in 2020-2021. The Learning Event Series – focused on trust and mutuality, learning through interconnected systems, and localised learning – provided opportunities for participants to learn from existing P2P partnerships and to share their own experiences of enabling change through P2P and alternative approaches to reform.
As part of the next phase of this workstream, the EIP will pilot test and co-create selected MEL tools and approaches with EIP members and partners as a way to put into practice the insights generated to date, and to support members and partners, to enhance the impacts of their existing partnership arrangements.
Additional resources can be found in the publications and other resources sections.