E-course and training ‘Doing Community Assessments’.

In 2023, Mainline developed a community assessment e-course. This course and corresponding coaching seek to equip partners with the knowledge and tools essential for conducting effective community assessments. 

This course was developed within the Love Alliance program and three selected Love Alliance partners engaged in the first six modules of the course and convened in Harare for an intensive ‘crunch week.’ During this collaborative session, facilitated by Mainline, the partners reviewed and consolidated their learning. Mainline provided valuable assistance by refreshing their knowledge, offering further explanations, and providing guidance. 

A pivotal outcome of this pilot was the formulation of comprehensive assessment plans. Each partner brought their initial plans to the table, which were revised during the meeting. This collective effort led to the creation of customized data collection tools tailored to the specific needs of each partner. 

After the crunch week coaching, partners actively engaged in the practical application of their knowledge, undertaking data collection in their respective communities. To facilitate the analysis and reporting of this data in a format chosen by each partner, two more modules on data analysis and reporting offered additional guidance and resources. 

The course takes participants through all the ins and outs of doing a methodologically sound assessment within communities of people who take drugs. It’s specifically written for people without prior education in research methods who work in a community-based organization. More information on the course can be found here. If you’d like more information on the course and accompanying coaching through the assessement process, contact a.voets@mainline.nl .

Partners & projects undertaken

1. DAPHO from Nigeria: Injection wounds among people who inject in Gombe state.. 
2. CRC from South Africa: Drug use among youth in Durban. 
3. ZCLDN and AWA from Zimbabwe: Collaborative research on harm reduction intervention needs among youth, including young sex workers, who use drugs in Harare.. 

This collective effort within the Love Alliance project reflects a commitment to addressing critical community issues through collaborative research and practical interventions.