Goal
The activity aims at evaluating the outcomes that the projects have had on the community as well as to enabling the participants to evaluate these outcomes from different perspectives. Additionally, the activity helps compare the written project goals with the actual output.
Steps
The task is to proceed in three steps and it tries to speak on behalf on the target group of the project.
Every project group is asked to send one member of their group to the circle of chairs in the middle.
During the first phase, the representative is asked to imagine one person of the direct target group of the project and to answer the question: What impact did the project have on you and your life?
The second phase includes answering this question on behalf of a member from the indirect target group.
During the final phase, the participants answer the questions on behalf of someone from the broader community/neighborhood where each project was implemented.
Reflection
When participants analized the different perspectives on outcome this leads to the question of what impact grassroot projects have.
- Looking on the direct target groups and their benefits we use the word outcome. What is in general the outcome of projects like yours here presented in the room.
- When examining the effects of your activities as well on others and on the society in general we use the word impact. What is a typical impact of such projects like yours?
- If you would have the opportunity to plan your activity again- how you would change the concept to increase outcome and impact. Why?
By answering these questions we extend the unit. Depending from the knowledge of your participants about the idea of outcome and impact this might take more time and be accompanied by additional input.
Experiences
Participants might have difficulties to put themselves into the role of someone from the in/direct target group. Therefore, the facilitator might need to train this in advance through small role-plays.
