401-14 EVIDENCING CAPACITY BUILDING WORK OUTCOMES

Community Learning Development Resource 401 – 14

 

Evidencing Capacity Building Work Outcomes

Summary

Capacity building is observable as changes in behaviour both individuals and collectively by groups. People building their capacity usually do so by steps over a period of time – their learning journey. This resource looks at evidencing learning gains and capacity building at various stages and also reviews the evidence trail aspects of evaluation methodology.

 

CapacityBuilding

Indicators and Evidence

 

Early evidence that people are learning and  building their individual capacity

 

Observing early individual changes in behaviour

 

Listening to feedback from individuals about how they feel and recognise changes

 

Evidence could be captured by agreed informal diary recording

 

 

Recording changed in behaviour demonstrated by individuals – some possible early indicators:

 

  • Making eye contact
  • Smiling in response
  • Taking a more active role in engagement
  • Returning again to make contact
  • Making an unsolicited contact or self-referral
  • Starting to ask questions
  • Starting to express opinions
  • Starting to contribute ideas
  • Becoming more trustful
  • Becoming prepared to identify their own needs
  • Listening better
  • Beginning to reflect

 

 

Evidencing learning and individual capacity building

 

Evidence of learning and  behavioural change – observed or gained through feedback

 

Evidence of transfer and application of learning gained

Recording capacity building – some indicators of successful learning:

  • Gaining skills – physical skills; mental skills; technical skills; life skills
  • Knowledge gained
  • Understanding gained
  • Gaining self-awareness
  • Self-confidence growing
  • Gaining self-esteem & increasing own sense of self-worth
  • Changes in attitude – can’t do to ‘can do’
  • Realising ‘I am not alone’
  • Recognising barriers
  • Overcoming barriers
  • Solving life problems
  • Making life changes

 

Capacity building indicators

Evidence

 

Evidencing that people are gaining from their learning and capacity building by transferring and using their learning gains with others

 

Gaining feedback or observing the effects of individual capacity building and contributions to collective capacity building

 

More joint evidence agreement with individual leading

 

  • Transferring and applying knowledge or skills
  • Changing their role
  • Building relationships – making friends
  • Increasing level of trust with others contributing to building trust, opening up
  • Increased awareness of social opportunities
  • Recognising options and making choices
  • Moving on – progressing – e.g., between groups or activities
  • Volunteering
  • Gaining support from other agencies
  • Personal development impacting on others
  • Improved communication
  • Problem solving with others
  • Encouraging and supporting others

 

 

Evidencing that individuals and groups are using and applying  their learning beyond themselves – for the benefit of others, in community capacity building

 

Feedback contributed from individuals and groups evidencing learning that results in  neighbourhood regeneration and community development outcomes

 

 

  • New or increased participation in community activities
  • Volunteering in community initiatives
  • Taking on roles – leader; facilitator; recruiter; activist, etc.
  • Encouraging family and friends to ‘have-a-go’
  • Solving family/friends/local problems – e.g., in health; environment; crime and disorder
  • Passing on skills to others – family, friends, community
  • Becoming community or learning champions
  • Engaging actively in community development work