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