Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness
Methodology Training
GUIDANCE NOTE AND SAMPLE AGENDA
FOR TRAINING ORGANISERS AND FACILITATORS
Version August 2012
So why are we doing this training workshop?
-
To start putting the Principles for CSO Development Effectiveness into practice in your
organization/ country/ region!
Planning to advocate for a more enabling environment for civil society around the world!
And how do we do this?
A Methodology for Putting CSO Development Effectiveness into Practice!
To further support country level implementation and strategic planning around the Istanbul Principles
and enabling environment, Open Forum is currently developing an outreach and planning methodology
to help CSOs start working with the International Framework for CSO Development Effectiveness in their
own context.
The aim of this methodology is to train CSO practitioners to transmit the concepts and collective
experience behind the International Framework and the accompanying Toolkits, and to help CSOs take
those first conceptual and planning steps on the path to improving their effectiveness.
Included with the Guidance note:
- Annex 1: Proposed Workshop Agenda
- Annex 2: Sample Background materials list
- Annex 3: Participants feedback form
- Annex 4: Facilitators feedback form
- Annex 5: General Istanbul Principle checklist
- Practitioners Activity Guide (separate document)
SO LET’S GET STARTED!
General Background
From 2009 until 2011, thousands of civil society organizations (CSOs) worldwide engaged in discussions
on their role as development actors through a fully inclusive global consultation process - the Open
Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness. The objective of the Open Forum was to define common
guiding standards for effective development work as shared by civil society organizations worldwide.
After some 70 national, regional, sectoral and global consultations, the Open Forum finalized the
International Framework for CSO Development Effectiveness, which includes:
□
□
□
Eight ‘Istanbul’ Principles for CSO Development Effectiveness: guiding values for CSO
development work
Statement on CSO Accountability: reflecting the commitment of CSOs to be fully accountable to
each other, the other development actors, and the communities that they serve
Minimum Standards for an Enabling Environment required from governments and donors
As a global consolidated statement and product of numerous consultations worldwide, the
International Framework represents a reference of effective development work for CSOs worldwide.
To guide CSOs as they apply the global standards of the International Framework at national level, 2
Toolkits accompany the International Framework:
□
□
Implementation Toolkit: Planning process for applying the Principles for CSO Development
Effectiveness in any context, with examples from CSOs across the globe
Advocacy Toolkit: Tips and advice from fellow CSOs on advocating for a more enabling
environment from governments and donors
You can find much more information on our website: www.cso-effectiveness.org
Overview of the Outreach and Planning Methodology
The Practitioners Activity Guide currently being developed provides learning activities and training
tools to help CSOs give meaning to the Istanbul Principles in their own context and to get inspiration
and ideas about how to start putting the principles into practice!
As each Istanbul Principles implementation process is unique to the organization where it takes place,
the Practitioners Activity Guide does not provide a blueprint training methodology or a sequence of
concrete actions to be taken to implement the principles. Instead, it suggests participatory activities
that you can do with your colleagues or partners to initiate a change process within your CSO: to make
the principles real for you and come up with your own actions for implementing them!
The Practitioners Activity Guide consists of three chapters each aiming at a number of different
learning goals and proposing guided activities to achieve these goals.
…Turn the page for more!
 Chapter 1. Introduction: Understanding and Owning the Istanbul Principles which provides
activities to: a) give an overview of the principles; b) examine their importance and
interrelationship for development effectiveness; c) explore different dimensions of each
principle and d) reflect on one’s attitudes and commitment to the principles.
 Chapter 2. Setting the Ground for Change: Looking at where we are and where we want to go
which provides activities to a) explore how much the principles reflect the values of the CSO b)
identify the areas where the CSO already does well for development effectiveness and the areas
where change is desired.
 Chapter 3. Making Change Happen: Putting the Principles into Practice which provides
activities to explore what changes can your CSO make in terms of planning, monitoring and
evaluation to improve the implementation of the principles and promote an enabling
environment for CSOs.
How to use this methodology?
In an ideal setting, we suggest that you approach each chapter as a learning section and dedicate a day
to it. Both chapter 1 and chapter 3 could be split into two days – depending on how deeply you want to
explore each principle and/or revisit your planning, monitoring and evaluation processes
 Check out the Sample agenda in Annex 1!
HOWEVER, for the purposes of this pilot testing phase, we have prepared a sample 3-day agenda that
we would ask you to consider using!


Day 1 of the sample workshop agenda is targeted at participants who have not had much
exposure to the aid effectiveness debates and dialogue (and so includes a longer introductory
presentation session)
Days 2 and 3 of the sample workshop agenda can be targeted at all participants – beginners
(after Day 1 introduction) and those who already know the development effectiveness
background, and can jump right into the planning!
Please see the suggested sample agenda (Annex 1)
 Personalizing the agenda
Alternatively, you can ‘mix and match’ learning activities from different chapters to create your own
learning and planning process. This could take the form of a 1-5 days training (for your CSO, or regional
or national platform) or a series of workshops or meetings that suit your CSO’s learning and planning
needs.
EXAMPLE: Let’s say your CSO would like to explore how the principles could be better integrated in its
programmes. In this case, your learning day could include activity 1.2 to discuss the interrelationship of
all principles, activity 2.1 to see how the principles fit into your CSOs’ values and then activity 3.1 to see
how you can improve programme planning to make sure it puts in practice all principles.
 More tips on how to use the Guide



Most learning activities are designed or introduced for a group of CSO colleagues but they can
be easily adapted for a group of practitioners that represent different CSOs – relevant guidance
is given when need.
For each activity, the guide provides an indication of the time and resources needed. However,
make sure to adjust the time to your own needs and be creative with resources!
For each chapter we provide a form for participants to assess their personal learning and there
is also a template for planning how to take learning into action at the end of this guide
Preparing the training workshop – some ideas and sample checklist
□
Defining your target group: beginners or more experienced users?
The agendas and proposed activities (see sample agenda, Annex 1) will largely depend on how
familiar participants already are with CSO development effectiveness issues.
□
Setting the date and location for this workshop
□
Inviting participants to participate
To get a representative feedback, we recommend inviting a broad CSO constituency in your
context, including women organizations, faith-based, youth, etc.
□
Finalizing your training agenda, designating facilitators for the various session and developing
the training materials
□
Preparing documentation and audio-visual material
There is a wealth of information out there on CSO development effectiveness and enabling
environment. See Annex 2 for a list of key materials that can be used in the training, or to
prepare participants ahead of the workshop.
□
Don’t forget to send us your feedback on this methodology! See Annex 3 for the participants
feedback form, and Annex 4 for the organizer/facilitator feedback form, and send them all to
info@cso-effectiveness.org
GOOD LUCK WITH THE WORKSHOP!
Annex 1: PROPOSED AGENDA
PLEASE NOTE!
Day 1 of the sample workshop agenda is targeted at participants who have not had much exposure to
the aid effectiveness debates and dialogue (and so includes a longer introductory presentation session)
Days 2 and 3 of the sample workshop agenda can be targeted at all participants – beginners (after Day 1
introduction) and those who already know the development effectiveness background and can jump
right into the planning!
Based on this sample agenda, you can organize:
- A Full Workshop of 3 days for beginners
- A Workshop of 2 days for beginners (Day 1 and Day 2)
- A Workshop of 2 days for users with prior knowledge of the CSO effectiveness topics (based on
proposed activities in Day 2 and Day 3)
 Day 1
Time
08:30 - 09:00
09:00 - 09:15
09:15 - 10:00
10:00 - 10:15
10:15 - 12:45
12:45 - 13:45
13:45 - 15:45
or
13:45 - 17:45
depending on
the activities
selected
15:45 - 16:00
17:45 - 18:00
16:30 - 17:45
Session
Reference material
Welcome and Introduction
□ CSO Development Effectiveness in a nutshell
□ The objectives of the workshop
□ The format of the workshop (TIP: explain the focus on
Guided Activities to participants)
Icebreaker
Presentation of the Open Forum process and outcomes
Coffee break
Familiarizing ourselves with the Istanbul Principles
□ Guided activity 1.1 (page 9 )
□ Guided activity 1.2 (page 11)
Lunch
Exploring the different dimensions of each Istanbul Principle
□ Selecting one or two principles to explore with the
participants
□ Guided activities: 1.3 – 1.10, depending on the selected
Principles (pages 13 – 31)
Open Forum ePoster
Open Forum ePoster
Practitioners Activity
Guide
Practitioners Activity
Guide
Coffee Break
CONCLUSIONS OF THE DAY & WRAP UP
OPTIONAL (if 16:30 wrap up): Reflecting on own attitudes to the
Istanbul Principles
□ Select from Guided activities 1.11 to 1.13 (pages 32 - 34)
Practitioners Activity
Guide
 Day 2
Time
Session
08:30 - 09:00
Refreshing our memory on previous activities and conclusions
09:00 - 10:30
10:30 - 10:45
10:45 - 12:45
12:45 - 13:45
13:45 – 15:45
15:45 - 16:00
Revisiting our organizational values through the lens of the Istanbul
Principles
□ Guided Activity 2.1 (page 36)
Reference material
Practitioners Activity
Guide
Principles Checklist
(Annex 5)
Coffee break
What we already do, where we want to be, & how to get there
□ Guided activity 2.2 (page 38)
Practitioners Activity
Guide
Lunch
What we already do, where we want to be, & how to get there
CONTINUED
□ Guided activity 2.2 (page 38)
Practitioners Activity
Guide
Coffee Break
16:00 - 16:45
What we already do, where we want to be, & how to get there
CONTINUED
□ Guided activity 2.2 (page 38)
Practitioners Activity
Guide
16:45 - 17:45
Making the changes and integrating the principles
□ Guided activity Choosing Your Case study (O.P.E.R.A tool; p.
42 – 43)
Practitioners Activity
Guide
17:45 - 18:00
WRAP UP (AND EVALUATION IF LAST DAY)
Evaluation forms
 Day 3
Time
08:30 - 11:00
11:00 - 11:15
11:15 - 13:15
13:15 - 14:00
14:00 - 16:30
16:30 - 16:45
16:45 - 17:45
17:45 - 18:00
Session
Exploring root causes, consequences and stakeholders through
Principle-oriented thinking
□ Guided Activity 3.1 (page 44)
Coffee break
Examine and assess change strategies and their alignment with the
principles
□ Guided activity 3.2 (page 48)
OR
□ Guided activity 3.3 (page 50)
Reference material
Practitioners Activity
Guide
Practitioners Activity
Guide
Lunch
To collectively reflect on the benefits and challenges of monitoring
and evaluation
□ Guided activity 3.4 ( page 54)
Practitioners Activity
Guide
Coffee Break
Planning concrete actions
□ Guided activity “Translate learning into action” (page 57)
WRAP UP (AND EVALUATION IF LAST DAY)
Practitioners Activity
Guide
Evaluation forms
Annex 2: Sample Background materials list
Important Background Documents/ Links
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International Framework for CSO Development Effectiveness
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/InternationalFramework
The Advocacy and Implementation Toolkits
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/Toolkits
The Istanbul Principles
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/IstanbulPrinciples
Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/busan-partnership-for-effective,190
HLF4 information and resources for CSOs
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/4th-high-level-forum-on-aid,080
Other Recommended Reading/Watching

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
Check out your country’s national consultation report
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/-open-forum-national-consultations,049-.html
The regional consolidated reports page
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/-regional-reports,051-.html
The thematic consultation pages
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/-thematic-consultations,059-.html
Video on Implementing the Istanbul Principles: http://youtu.be/Q9UJjJVmbMQ
Video on the enabling environment: http://youtu.be/XZ8owMEVw-c
Keep Connected!

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The Open Forum newsletter
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/-newsletter,012-.html
The Open Forum blog
o http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/latest-news-open-forum-blog,008
The Open Forum on Facebook
o https://www.facebook.com/#!/CSOeffectiveness
The Open Forum on Twitter
o https://twitter.com/#!/CSOpenForum
The Open Forum YouTube Channel
o http://www.youtube.com/user/csoeffectiveness?feature=results_main
Annex 3: Participants feedback form
Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness
Methodology Training
Feedback Form for Workshop Participants
This questionnaire should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your participation, and if you
have any questions during or after completing this survey, please contact the
Open Forum Secretariat at info@cso-effectiveness.org
1. To what extent did the workshop meet your learning interests and needs?
1
2
Not at all
Please explain your choice:
3
4
5
6
7
Absolutely
2. List the two activities you liked most, and explain why:
ACTIVITY
Why I liked it
ACTIVITY
Why I liked it
3. Were there any activities you did not find useful? Why did they not work?
Other comments:
4. Please rate the following elements of the workshop from 1 to 4. (1=poor; 2=average; 3=good;
4=excellent) Please give reasons for your assessment, as appropriate:
Ensuring that participants have a clear understanding of CSO effectiveness
Comments:
1 2 3 4
Opportunities for discussing and planning how to implement the principles
1 2 3 4
Comments:
Focus and content of the activities
1 2 3 4
Comments:
Role and performance of the facilitator
1 2 3 4
Comments:
Participant engagement
1 2 3 4
Comments:
Facilities and logistics (venue, meals, etc.)
1 2 3 4
Comments:
5. What do you feel you personally gained from this workshop?
(new knowledge/skills/attitudes have you acquired or developed)?
6. What follow-up are you planning as a result of this workshop?
7. What suggestions do you have for improving this workshop in the future?
Thank you very much for taking the time to provide comments, suggestions and
feedback! 
Annex 4: Facilitators feedback form
Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness
Methodology Training
Feedback Form for Facilitators/Organizers
This questionnaire should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your participation, and if you
have any questions during or after completing this survey, please contact the
Open Forum Secretariat at info@cso-effectiveness.org Your contribution is crucial for drafting a good quality Practitioner’s
Guide to the Open Forum Implementation and Advocacy Toolkits, so please do contribute as much as you can. All feedback is
valuable!
Please send the following to the Open Forum Secretariat (info@cso-effectiveness.org):
a) A copy of this feedback questionnaire, completed
b) The completed feedback forms from participants;
c) A copy of the agenda and other materials from your workshop
d) Any other information that would be useful for the refinement of this methodology
General Information
Organizer(s)/ Institution:
Contact information:
Number of people invited to the consultation:
Final number of participants:
1. Please express your level of agreement/disagreement with the following statements. Please give
reasons for your assessment, as appropriate (1=strongly disagree; 2=disagree; 3=neutral; 4=agree;
5=strongly agree)
a. The Practitioner’s Guide, materials and suggested agenda:
o
are well structured and easy to read and navigate
Comments:
1 2 3 4 5
o
serves well the purpose for which it is intended
Comments:
1 2 3 4 5
b. The methodology used (sequence and type of activities):
o
is clear and relevant
Reasons:
1 2 3 4 5
o
adaptable to diverse contexts
Reasons:
1 2 3 4 5
2. What I liked about the materials and methodology…
3. What I didn’t like about the materials and methodology …
4. What I think is missing from the Practicioner’s Guide is…
5. My suggestions for improving the Practioner’s Guide are…
6. Which Activities did you use for your workshop, and what was your experience of these suggested
activities?
How clear were the instructions provided? Was the time suggested well estimated? What worked well/
what less well? What challenges did you face during the planning and execution of this workshop? Which
adjustments/changes did you make, and do you have any specific recommendations would you make for
the final version of the activity?
Activity
Feedback
7. What follow-up activities, if any, were agreed upon at the meeting?
8. How relevant has this workshop been to the work of your organisation?
Completely
Mostly
Fairly
Somewhat
Not at all
Please give reasons for your assessment
9. How relevant has the workshop been to the work of other civil society organizations and actors in
your country?
Completely
Mostly
Fairly
Somewhat
Not at all
Please give reasons for your assessment
10. Do you have any final comments or reflections about this experience, to contribute the final rewrites
and refinement of this outreach and planning methodology?
Thank you very much for taking the time to complete this questionnaire! 
Annex 5: Istanbul Principles Checklist
What is my
organization
already doing to
implement this
principle?
Principle 1:
Respect and
Promote
Human Rights
and Social
Justice
Principle 2:
Embody
gender
equality and
equity while
promoting
women and
girls’ rights
Principle 3:
Focus on
people’s
empowerment,
democratic
ownership and
participation
Principle 4:
Promote
environmental
sustainability
Principle 5:
Practice
transparency
and
accountability
Principle 6:
Pursue
equitable
partnerships
and solidarity
Principle 7:
Create and
share
knowledge and
commit to
mutual
learning
Principle 8:
Commit to
realizing
positive
sustainable
change
What is civil
society in my
country or region
already doing
collectively to
implement this
principle?
How can this
existing work
be supported/
strengthened?
What else can/must we
do to more effectively
put this principle into
practice in my
organization? As a
sector?
Do the other development
stakeholders in our
country/local context
facilitate or hinder
realization of this principle?
How could we influence
these stakeholders to
achieve better results?
What other
stakeholders in my or
region could we work
with in achieving
greater impact with
this principle?