Framework and catalogue of tools for Participatory monitoring for Farmer Family Learning Groups and Marketing Associations

Summary

This catalogue of ideas has been developed in a joint effort by six organisations (Caritas Kampala, Uganda Rural Development (URDT), Sulma Foods, Africa2000Network (A2N), National Organic and Organic Denmark) in the project ECOSAF in Uganda. The approach has been quite a lot like action research, and Development in practice. The focus of this project (2013-2015) was Farmer Family Learning Groups (FFLG) as a method for developing long-term food security through social capital building. Furthermore, another project based on the FFLG approach but focusing on the formation of Marketing Associations (MAs) contributed to this booklet. This project was carried through in a joined effort between Sustainable Agricultural Trainers Network (SATNET), NOGAMU and OD. SATNET is an umbrella organization with 40 member organisations, and in the project, a number of MAs linked up to the organizations. This catalogue is a result of inputs from more than 40 external facilitators of FFLGs, four FFLG officers from the four organisations in ECOSAF, 21 Marketing Association officers, and staff members and volunteers from NOGAMU, SATNET and Organic Denmark. In the process we have worked together from each our context, and exchanged ideas on farmer group development, participation and monitoring.
Our conceptual framework for and main ideas of participatory monitoring of change is presented in the beginning of this catalogue. The tool is in fact a number of tools and ideas, which all address one or more aspect of change, and give suggestions how they can be monitored in a group. We suggest concrete indicators and methods of monitoring them in a participatory way. They can be adjusted to other contexts.
All FFLGs and MAs set goals and carry out activities to reach them. Many other groups of people and organisations set goals. It is relevant for all of them to monitor, and the meaningful focus and choice of methods must necessarily be defined and selected by the people who should use them. This catalogue offers a range of ideas which hopefully can inspire other groups.