Local Solutions
ACTIVITY TYPE
- Informing
- Consulting
DESCRIPTION
This is a group exercise to investigate local solutions to a problem, list and explain the strengths and weaknesses, and investigate how development workers or other partners could support the solution. It provides a basis for building on or adapting local skills and technology. It assumes that a key problem has already been identified and uses a type of Flow Diagram to collate information on a potential local solution.
HOW TO USE IT ONLINE
Use the Jamboard, Whiteboard or similar tool
Use – tools like https://www.mentimeter.com/
RESOURCES NEEDED
- Time to do: 20-30 min
- Staff: at least one facilitator
- Equipment: paper, pens
SUITABLE FOR
- large and small groups
HOW TO DO IT
- The group identifies local expertise and analyses why the problem exists.
- Suggestions are taken for strengths and drawbacks of current practice, and how these may be improved using a blend of other local skills and outside knowledge
- The group identifies how such changes could affect local knowledge and practice, or people’s perceptions and use of it.
- The practice is examined to see if it might be suitable for local use or practice elsewhere.
- Make copies of the output and leave the original with the group.
- Let the group analyse their own practice. A local facilitator will minimise the impression that local practice is being judged by an outsider. Facilitators should be careful to assess the potential implications of suggested ‘improvements’ to local practice.
ADVANTAGES
- mutual learning about the strengths and weaknesses of local practices
- highlights potential problems and improvements
- useful for skill-sharing, planning and identifying follow-up activities.
CHALLENGIES
- The diagram is too complicated or presented too quickly.
- People do not speak freely about the strengths and weaknesses of their own practice.