Background

Mannion Daniels Limited (MannionDaniels) oversees the “Learning for Strengthening Civil Society (L-SCS) – Power of Learning” program, funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). To achieve the program’s objectives, MannionDaniels has partnered with the American University in Cairo (AUC), the Social Research Center (SRC) in Cairo, and the Centre for Health and Social Economic Improvement (CHASE-i), affiliated with Makerere University in Kampala. The overarching goal of the program is to facilitate collective learning and research involving diplomatic missions, strategic partners, and local knowledge actors implementing the Strengthening Civil Society Policy Framework (2021-2025) in countries such as Bangladesh, Burundi, Uganda, Egypt, Lebanon, and Niger, with Sudan’s implementation on hold since April 2023. The program consists of four workstreams: Linking and Learning, Research (including action research), Electronic Learning Environment, and Communication.

Triangle’s Assignment

Triangle was commissioned as the Research Implementor to undertake several critical activities throughout the project period. These activities include developing a detailed research design based on engagements with CSOs, incorporating feedback from CSOs and knowledge partners, and identifying specific knowledge gaps. Triangle supported the development and implementation of research tools, ensuring adherence to quality, ethics, and safeguarding standards. CSOs are actively involved in all research phases, from design to implementation and review, enhancing their capacity to utilize research findings. Additionally, Triangle is  facilitating the dissemination of findings to a broader group of CSOs and knowledge partners, ensuring an inclusive process.

Objectives

The assignment had several key objectives:

• To develop a detailed research design based on CSO engagements and literature review.
• To support the development and implementation of research tools in line with quality, ethics, and safeguarding standards.
• To ensure CSO involvement in all research phases, enhancing their capacity and understanding.
• To facilitate the sharing of findings with a broader group of CSOs and knowledge partners.
• To assist the Knowledge Manager in writing relevant milestone and deliverable reports.

Research Approach & Methodology

Triangle employed a comprehensive mixed-method approach to gather data for the assignment. The methodology included:

• Detailed Research Design: Developing a research design based on CSO engagements, literature review, and feedback from knowledge partners, identifying specific knowledge gaps.
• Tool Development: Supporting the development of research tools, ensuring alignment with evolving research questions and design.
• Implementation Support: Assisting in the implementation of research activities as per the agreed design, adhering to quality, ethics, and safeguarding standards.
• CSO Involvement: Ensuring CSO involvement in detailed design, tool development, implementation, and review of research reports.
• Capacity Building: Providing support and coaching to CSOs to enhance their capacity to engage in the research and utilize findings.
• Findings Dissemination: Facilitating the sharing of findings with a broader group of CSOs and knowledge partners, reflecting on the implications to inform future research design and tools.
• Continuous Reporting: Keeping the Knowledge Manager updated with ongoing work, assisting in writing milestone and deliverable reports.