Sometimes overshadowed by the monitoring and evaluation aspects of implementation, learning is a critical element of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). Q2 Impact is an international leader in MEL.
In Uganda, Q2 Impact is implementing the five-year (June 2013 -June 2018) Uganda Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning program, also known as “The Learning Contract.” The Learning Contract provides MEL services to USAID/Uganda and key Ugandan partners to increase their capacity to implement a mission-wide Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) approach.
Q2 Impact selected the Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures to conduct training on the International Futures (IFs) model for USAID/Uganda and its partners. The IFs model is a sophisticated and integrated forecasting tool that relies on historical data to generate forecasts through 2040. The IFs model includes several sub-modules for the following areas: economy, population, health, education, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, government finance, socio-political, and environment. The analysis from the model has been used to inform USAID/Uganda Project Appraisal Documents (PADs) and regional development initiatives.
Three trainers from the Pardee Center recently conducted a training from February 5-9, 2018 in Kampala. In addition to donor participation from USAID/Uganda, DfID, the World Bank, and the UN, participants joined from the National Planning Authority, Uganda Revenue Authority, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry & Fisheries, Gulu University, Economic Policy Research Centre, Uganda Debt Network, Institute of National Transformation, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Uganda Manufacturer Association, and National Medical Stores.
The trainers were content to have trained a group of very enthusiastic participants and one of them remarked, “This group is highly educated and genuinely interested in learning about the model, so they can apply it to their work.”
This training helped Ugandan organizations and their local partners develop self-sufficiency and sustainability in using the IFs model. This new tool will enable them to analyze and understand Uganda’s global standing in their areas of interest and to analyze and evaluate opportunities available.
Visit the Learning Contract project page to read more about Q2 Impact‘s related work, or contact Jennifer Dahnke, Q2 Impact’s Deputy Director for Learning, for more information.