Good Practices
Intendencia de Cerro Largo - Uruguay
Applying the Metaplan technique for the planning and management of the components related to the generation of knowledge
Description of the practice:
Applying principles and mechanisms of collective or group building throughout the cycle of training and technical assistance, in order to guarantee the active and balanced contribution of all participants, thus improving the learning and its application.
"The Metaplan technique is a method aimed at gathering and processing ideas and opinions within a group of people who work together. As part of a group working session, everyone writes down their own ideas or opinions on a subject (each idea is written on a card). During the brainstorming process, it is important that the ideas are not judged. All the cards are then collected and posted on a note board. Only at this point will the ideas be processed. The cards are organized into categories and evaluated. The grouping of ideas can lead to new knowledge or reveal new connections. Besides the visual technique, the method often involves the participation of professional agents - i.e. moderators - to facilitate the discussion. Using the technique, the moderator structures the process of understanding within the context of the group working session. This technique was created by Eberhard Schnelle in Germany.
With the aim of collecting the ideas, opinions, knowledge, know-how and experiences of all those involved, the project decided to apply the principles and mechanisms of the Metaplan technique to all the components related to knowledge generation. This application was not limited to workshops or group working moments, but it also inspired the whole cycle (from planning to evaluation) of training and technical assistance. Of particular note are the following phases, which were able to be implemented thanks to the thorough knowledge of this methodology among the project coordination team and the trust placed in it by all the partners.
- Structured interview with the highest authority of the partner municipality (Mayor or prefeito) based on the learning objectives set out in the project.
- Participatory workshop, applying the SWOT analysis, with the Cabinet / team of advisors of the maximum authority and with the technicians of the partner municipality.
- Workshops for the identification and prioritisation of issues and needs, applying the Metaplan technique, with the widest participation of the different actors for the joint elaboration of the Training and Technical Assistance Actions Plan, based on the result of the workshops and oriented towards the learning objectives foreseen in the project.
- Development of training and technical assistance actions.
- Evaluation / assessment of the trainings and technical assistances, as well as of the implementation of what has been learned and its impact on Institutions.
Differentiating factors:
- It facilitates the identification of strengths and weaknesses of all participants, both providers and recipients
- It facilitates the use of the knowledge (explicit and tacit), know-how and experiences of all participants.
- It facilitates the learning process.
- It strengthens and creates capacities for all participants.
Impacts:
- A greater commitment of the participants to applying what they have learned, achieving a greater impact on the quality of the institutions and the areas in which the knowledge that was created will be applied.
- A greater installed capacity on participatory methodologies in the institutions that have participated in the process, allowing its replication without depending on external actors.
The added value of Triangular Cooperation: (more information here)
1. Building ownership and trust.
2. Promoting complementarity and increasing coordination in development cooperation.
3. Sharing knowledge and learning jointly.
4. Co-creating solutions and flexibility.
5. Enhancing the volume, scope and sustainability of Triangular Cooperation
6. Achieving global and regional development goals through strengthened partnerships for sustainable development.
RELATED FILES
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