ceni training and support services - news

September 2006

CENI'S BIG LOTTERY FUND TRAINING PROJECT IS LAUNCHED

Through the support of the Big Lottery Fund, CENI is pleased to announce an Evaluation Training Project for community and voluntary groups. This project is targeted at groups with limited resources who would benefit from training in monitoring and evaluation and relevant issues.

PROJECT AIMS

The project involves the development and delivery of an innovative programme of training that will equip community and voluntary organisations to respond to the changing funding and policy environment and develop their capacity in evaluation.

This unique project aims to enhance participants' understanding and skills in evaluation and enable them to plan, manage and review what they do to enhance service delivery. It is also expected to enable participants to produce better quality information about their work, evidencing outputs, outcomes and their contribution to funders' investment objectives.

WHAT THIS MEANS

Drawing on CENI's existing training modules, we will be running a number of training sessions. The programme will be developed around a number of themes based on the needs of the groups targeted and will include tailored examples and case studies. Needs will be assessed through consultation with Umbrella Bodies and Networks prior to training events. Some of the topics which will be covered in the training include:

Introducing Monitoring and Evaluation

Developing a Framework for Self Evaluation

Introducing Outcomes

Evaluating Social Capital Outcomes

Approaches to Quality in the Voluntary and Community Sector

Getting the Most from External Evaluation

Developing Data Collection Tools

Analysing Qualitative and Quantitative Data

Reporting and Disseminating Evaluation Findings

Training sessions will be scheduled and held throughout Northern Ireland between October 2006 and November 2008, in conjunction with Umbrella Bodies and Networks. These sessions will be held in venues and at times appropriate for the participants.

HOW WILL IT WORK?

In order to promote the project to its target groups, we will be running a number of information workshops for Umbrella Bodies and Networks. At these we will be providing information about the project, how it will operate and which groups the training is targeting. We will also provide an introduction to some of the modules.

Working in partnership with the Umbrella Bodies and Networks, we anticipate planning and delivering training sessions to which individuals and volunteers working in projects in local areas will be invited. Training sessions will be provided in response to local demand and will be delivered free of charge to participants who meet the projects criteria to ensure those who most need the service receive it.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To find out more about any aspect of this service including details of when events may available in your area, contact Joanne Templeton, Training and Development Officer at CENI on 028 9074 9105 or email joanne.templeton@ceni.org