It is not easy to gauge and communicate what a program or activity has really meant to the lives of the participants involved. Those best positioned to explore and convey these messages are the participants themselves – they are trusted sources and have first-hand experience of impacts and outcomes.
About the method
When participatory video (PV) and the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique are skilfully brought together, the human stories behind development projects can be captured in an accessible form, even for those with low literacy levels. These combined methodologies promote peer-to-peer learning, collective reflection, triangulation and wide distribution of these important stories. Participatory video allows everyone to get involved, contribute, feel, and respond to other people's stories and can strengthen community ties and identification with developmental objectives.
Over the past 14 years of developing our PVMSC process, we have seen that it can create an invaluable space for organisations to learn through reflection and reshape their programmes in line with participants’ values. We have often been asked to provide guidance on using participatory video for monitoring and evaluation, so we felt it was time to share our learning. In 2016, we launched our PVMSC toolkit to help spread the method. You can download a free copy of the PVMSC toolkit here. Now we invite you to learn how to design and facilitate a PVMSC process in this intensive and highly practical training.
As a trainee, you will experience, explore and practise elements from the toolkit. The course is designed around principles of experiential learning: using a wide range of techniques that enhance creativity, sharing, reflection and learning. You will learn how to assess when PVMSC is appropriate, as well as to design and facilitate a PVMSC process as part of a wider M&E strategy. The course also includes advice on how to capitalise on a process that can simultaneously be an M&E activity, a programmatic intervention and an advocacy exercise.
For any questions, please get in touch with the course coordinator: trainings@insightshare.org.
Who is it for?
People working in the fields of monitoring, evaluation, learning and impact evaluation. In particular:
- People responsible for the design, management and delivery of these processes.
- Professionals in the fields of social sciences, development studies, and community engagement who are interested in embedding participatory approaches into their work.
- People who fund social initiatives and projects could learn about the effectiveness of PV and MSC techniques in creating social impact.
What past trainees said about the course
“I found the PV MSC course not only useful from the technical perspective but an opportunity to challenge and question some assumptions about the MEL practices in the field. The facilitators are extremely knowledgeable, kind, and supportive throughout the process; they provide great advice and make the learning environment engaging and interactive.”
“You have spoilt me for all future trainings! I have realised how much of a visual learner I am and now cannot abide boring trainings where we sit around and listen to people speak at us all day! Thank you for doing your job so well.”
Fee information
£800, the fee payable is for a 3-day in-person workshop, including vegetarian working lunch and an online follow-up session on project design and management. It doesn't include accommodation.
How to register
Reserve your place on the course by completing this form. Once you fill out the form, the course coordinator will send an invoice by e-mail.
Please note that places are not confirmed until full payment has been received.
Places are served on a first-come, first-served basis.