Paper short abstract:

Tearfund partnered with BSDR to research the impact of CCM in Uganda using QUIP in 2016. This led to research based on beneficiary voices, and inclusive learning at different levels. However, this depended on intentional learning events to ensure involvement of local partners and communities.

Paper long abstract:

Church and Community Mobilisation (CCM) starts in the local church and aims to empower the community to lead development themselves. Therefore, Tearfund commissioned QUIP because it provides a research method which put the voices at the centre of the evidence to ensure accountability and inclusion.

The research provided good evidence of impact and the unique blinding provided a wide contextual picture of the most important causes of changes as reported by participants, enabling a fuller understanding of cause and effect in that context. This provided an understanding of the place that CCM holds in the myriad of other interventions and drivers.

However, the "blinding" also meant that the beneficiaries were not aware that Tearfund had commissioned the study. Therefore, Tearfund and our partners visited each community involved to hold workshops. There we thanked the participants, received feedback, presented and verified the initial findings. Afterwards, there was a participatory learning review where the community assessed their progress and challenges, and prioritised actions.

Tearfund also facilitated an 'unblindfolding' workshop after the study to bring researchers and project staff together to discuss findings and determine what they mean for future projects. Tearfund's Ugandan partners have used the findings to adapt and improve the programme.

Despite these good intentions, making sure the process was inclusive of our local Ugandan NGO partners, churches and communities was challenging, we often only provide an invited space which doesn't always change the existing power norms.

Summary report : https://learn.tearfund.org/en/themes/church/church_and_community_mobilisation/studying_the_impact_of_ccm_using_quip_methodology/