On the 14th of August AIVDP reinforced its trajectory in reaching Project goals as stakeholders gathered to take part in a workshop to examine the Project’s Theory of Change. The one day workshop, which was organised by the Project’s Monitoring and Evaluations Consultant, took place at Presbyterian Employees Self Help (PESH) Guest House at 9am where members of the Project’s Management Unit, project field staff, representatives from councils, management committees and implementation partners, were in attendance. Seated at the high table was the Project’s Coordinator, Dr. Besong Ntui Ogork and the Regional Delegate of Agriculture, Mr. Jackson Nyamanga.

The purpose of the five hour session was to present the stakeholders with the Theory of Change, (complete with a stakeholder analysis and results chain) and to receive inputs from participants to ensure the validation of the document. In his opening speech, Dr. Ogork explained the importance of actors doing their own parts in order for outputs, outcomes and impacts to be achieved. He placed particular emphasis on document’s utility as a vital monitoring and evaluation tool calling on those present to take full ownership of the system in order to play their role in ensuring that change which the Project is trying to achieve, would occur.

Pictured Above: Dr. Ogork Addressing Participants at Workshop Opening

The presentation highlighted the links between the interventions, activities and expected results in the framework of the Theory of Change and painted a picture of how multi-level Project Stakeholders, are to visualize how the activities they’re executing, fit within the Project. 

Following the succinct presentation, a round of animated exchanges where participants made observations, took place. Inquiries and concerns were raised surrounding  variables regarding poverty reduction, farmer’s prospective use of income, gender mainstreaming in impact monitoring and capacity building in financial management for farmers with newly acquired income. Delivered remarks from contributors were acknowledged by the presenter who assured that all inputs shared would be incorporated in the final document. 

Pictured Above: Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant Delivering Presentation on Theory of Change with Inputs from Participants

In his closing remarks Dr. Ogork thanked participants for attending, underlining that the Framework continues to be a work in progress and that supplementary inputs will be expected as the Project progresses. He additionally reminded attendants that the Theory of Change is how the Project will be assessed upon its completion to determine if the desired change that was intended, has taken place.