Measuring Local Ownership in International Development Projects
by Rachel Dickinson, Technical Officer for Research and Learning, Root Change
“Localization”, measuring local ownership, USAID’s Journey to Self-Reliance… We’re all talking about these ideas and policies, and trying to figure out how to incorporate them in our global development projects, but how do we know if we are making progress on these goals? What do we need to measure?
Root Change and Keystone Accountability, under a recent USAID Local Works research grant, created the Pando Localization Learning System (LLS) as both a tool and a methodology for measuring and tracking local ownership within projects in real time. Pando LLS is an online platform that uses network maps and feedback surveys to assess system health, power dynamics, and collaboration within a local development system. It gives development practitioners simple, easy-to-use visuals and indicators, which can be shared with stakeholders and used to identify opportunities for strengthening local development systems.
We launched the Pando platform at MERL Tech DC in 2018, and this year we wanted to share (and get reactions to) a new set of localization measures and a reflective approach we have embedded in the tool.
Analysis of local ownership on Pando LLS is organized around four key measures. Under each we have determined a series of indicators pulling from both social network analysis (SNA) and feedback survey questions. For those interested in geeking out on the indicators themselves, visit our White Paper on the Pando Localization Learning System (LLS), but the four measures are:
1) Leadership measures whether local actors can voice concerns, set priorities and define success in our projects. It measures whether we, as outsiders, are soliciting input from local actors. In other words, it looks at whether project design and implementation is bottom-up.
2) Mutuality measures whether strong reciprocal, or two-way, relationships exist. It measures whether we, as external actors, respond to and act on feedback from local actors. It’s the respect and trust required for success in any interaction.
3) Connectivity measures whether the local system motivates and incentivizes local actors to work together to solve problems. It measures whether we, as program implementers, promote collaboration and connection between local actors. It asks whether the local system is actually improving, and if we are playing the right roles.
4) Financing measures whether dependency on external financial resources is decreasing, and local financial opportunities are becoming stronger. It measures whether we, as outsiders, are preparing local organizations to be more resilient and adaptive. It explores the timeless question of money and resources.
Did you notice how each of these measures assesses not only local actors and their system, but also our role as outsiders? This takes us to the reflective approach.
The Pando LLS approach emphasizes dialogue with system actors and self-reflection by development practitioners. It pushes us to question our assumptions about the systems where we work and tasks us with developing project activities and M&E plans that involve local actors. The theories behind the approach can also be found in our White Paper, but here are the basic steps:
- Listen to local actors by inviting them to map their relationships, share feedback, and engage in dialogue about the results;
- Co-create solutions and learn through short-term experiments that aim to improve relationships and strengthen the local system;
- Incorporate what’s working back into development projects and celebrate failures as progress; and
- Repeat the listen, reflect, and adapt cycles 3-4 times a year to ensure each one is small and manageable.
What do you think of this method for measuring and promoting local ownership? Do we have the measures right? How are you measuring local ownership in your work? Would you be interested in testing the Pando LLS approach together? We’d love to hear from you! Email me at rdickinson@rootchange.org to share your feedback, questions, or ideas!