How are we doing? A multi-stakeholder forum tool

Why is the tool important?

How are we doing? is a tool that enables participatory reflective monitoring in multi-stakeholder forums (MSFs). MSFs are spaces that include a wide range of stakeholders in a topic or region, to engage in dialogue, decision making and/or the implementation of activities for common goals. How are we doing? supports enabling conditions to allow the MSF to achieve its goal(s) equitably and effectively.

Who is the tool for?

The tool is meant for policy makers and practitioners. 

How can I use the tool?

The tool is used to reflect on and learn from what the MSF has been doing well (and not so well); examine progress toward the objective(s), including the current and the anticipated future challenges; and support an annual planning process.

The tool has three main features: First, it was developed together with members of several subnational MSFs. Second, it was designed to be used by MSF participants themselves, not to be applied by external evaluators. Third, its objective goes beyond a simple assessment of indicators. Participants discuss and reflect on their answers to learn from the past, consider progress and obstacles to further progress, and collectively plan how to achieve the MSF’s goals in the future.

When and how was it developed?

The tool was developed by researchers from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in collaboration with members of MSFs.

The collaboration emerged from the identification of the need for a simple tool to allow MSF participants to monitor their forums, and reflect upon and improve their processes and results. In response, CIFOR held a series of participatory workshops in Indonesia and Peru to develop How are we doing?.

Where can I get the tool? Who can I contact?

Download (4 MB) the tool.