The Most Significant Change (MSC) technique was used to evaluate the SUN Civil Society Network Learning Route hosted in Rwanda in 2016. Three key findings were identified: 1) Increased togetherness, coordination, and connection between SUN alliance members, helping to strengthen the alliance and ensure impact. 2) Increased visibility and credibility of the SUN alliance led to new partnerships and collaboration. 3) Empowered community champions in Gisagara district are now leading local efforts to reduce malnutrition through activities like vegetable gardens and cooking demonstrations, improving food security.

1. Blog Title:
The “Real Deal” of hosting a learning exchange
Findings from the Most Significant Change Evaluation Technique
Author: Cecilia Ruberto
Increased collaboration, empowerment and visibility are 3 key Most Significant Changes (MSC) identified
by the Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) Alliance as a result of hosting the SUN Civil Society Network (SUN CSN)
Learning Route (LR) international exchange. Those 3 values (and many more identified with the MSC analysis)
are important indicators of performance we should considerwhen we design, implement, and review a learning
programme.
We often evaluate the impact of our learning exchanges from the perspective of participants and organizations,
but we do not focus on the changes taking place in the hosting community/partner, that are worthy of our
attention and analysis.They contribute greatly to the overall impact, by way of “value for money” and
sustainability. This blog shares some initial findings from the Most Significant Change evaluation technique
applied in Rwanda, country host for the SUN CSN Learning Route.
The SUN Civil Society Learning Route was implemented in Rwanda from June until November 2016, the
programme culminated with an international learning exchange where 9 SUN Civil Society Alliances from
Africa gathered to learn from successfulpractices for Scaling up Nutrition. Local champions trained
international guests.
A ‘learning route’ is
a capacity building process developed by PROCASUR
Corporation to accelerate knowledge sharing and
peer-to-peer learning.A facilitated visit to a host
country by representativesof different countries is the
LR core. A set of Best Practice examples is the
starting point before the learning route visits. This set
is identified,analysed and captured among the
learningsand experiencesof the host
country/organization.Key people in the host country
(‘Local Champions’) lead the learning routes and act
as the trainers. Watch the Learning Route
documentary. Or read the SUN CSN Learning Route
Report
The MSC technique is
a rigorous qualitative evaluation technique,developed
more than 10 years ago by Davies and Dart and hasbeen
used by many of the largest organizations (not for profit
and for profit) to evaluate and assess impact of our work.
Initially developed to manage changes in the
organizations,the MSC is an excellent tool to gather
evidence,analyse and learn from (positive and negative)
changes.The methodology allows usto capture “hidden”
or unexpected changes and fast-track the analysis of those
changes thanks to rigorous discussions that lead to
learning (=action).The MSC is an appropriate tool to be
used in complex contexts and/or where the changes might
be intangible or when/where the M&E framework does not
capture the sense and relevance of the changes that
ocurred and why.
We applied the MSC technique (for the first time) in Rwanda with the collection ofstories and analysis at the
national and global levels.The first round looked at changes after an in-depth and participatory preparation
phase (as per Learning Route methodology) the second round was collected after the international learning
exchange,to determine what had been gained by the hosting stakeholders from the international exchange.
The four Rwanda Learning Route Most Significant Stories, with a brief analysis are reported here below.
Preparatory Phase MSC - MSC Selected by the SUN Alliance (Rwanda)
“Togetherness” (Laurien Kubwimana, SUN Advisor in Education, project coordinator within the Pentecost
Church of Rwanda organization.) – ADD PHOTO

2. “The most important change is the togetherness that will lead to a better coordination. We now enjoy more
working together,putting efforts together,because we share. Getting together we discover the potential there is
in each other, building the friendship, increase of commitment, we belong to the same group, we feel more
attached to SUN. At first we all had different expectations, now we feel we want to work together. As we get to
know each other we really feel we are one team and that we have to work together. We are overcoming our
background and individual identity/differences and becoming one SUN.”
This story highlights the importance of togetherness, coordination, and connection, essential for sustainability.
Alliance means a common goal, learning from other organizations, and self-awareness without which we could
not be an alliance. Laurien has tapped into the real sense of the LR and revealed the root cause of other changes
brought about by togetherness. Bringing people together will enable us to sustain the alliance and to ensure our
work has impact for those that suffer the most from malnutrition.
 With hindsight: the SUN alliance, during the preparatory phase mobilized more than 150
stakeholders, among which more than 50 representatives from SUN alliance member organizations
work in different areas (thematic and geographical, at national and community levels). This
togetherness has been the result of goodcoordination/governance that allowed the involvement of many
actors from start to finish. By the end of the programme more than 200 stakeholders including national
and subnational authorities took an active role. Following the LR the SUN Alliance held a General
Assembly, reviewed the findings and, learning from the exchange, discussed and agreed with all
members on improved governance mechanisms, and the way forward.
(MSC selected by the International Selection Panel)
“Practice to Shine” (Venuste Muhamyankaka, SUN Alliance Secretary General) – ADD PHOTO
“In my opinion,the increased visibility of the Alliance is the most important change.After hearing that we were
selected we communicated it to the board members, they were very appreciative and started to be more
proactive in our meetings. Their interest was reflected in their manifestation of interest in participating to the
LR and increased support from member organisations.For example Catholic ReliefServices donated some
amount to operational costs.SNV included the alliance in an Advocacy project because they heard about our
best practice on advocacy in Gisagara. Another effect of the visibility is the increased interaction and
collaboration with external stakeholders,some have already contracted us in partnership.To be more effective
before receiving the LR sub-grant instalment,we complemented the LR with the New Venture fund project
(NVF). We implemented the two projects in synergy; we have been using the NVF as a springboard to inform
everybody about the LR. Anotherway to raise interest and visibility has been through the recruitment of staff.”
This story highlights how more collaboration within the alliance increases internal cohesion. It also shows the
SUN Alliance proactively used the LR as an opportunity to raise visibility and public credibility and this has
contributed to the establishment of new collaboration/partnerships. This well-articulated story supports
expectations of the SUN Alliance.
 With hindsight: The Alliance increased its credibility and participation in the national Multi-sectoral
Platform. During the preparation of the Learning Exchange the Alliance formalized its legal existence
(key requirement in Rwanda) to engage in the formal platform, to contribute to planning and review
and to be formally accountable.The same member organizations of the Alliance became more active
and during the general assembly they agreed to pay an annual contribution to ensure sustainability of
the Alliance and continuity of advocacy,fundraising, coordination and learning activities. This
demonstrates great trust and the sense of ownership of the member organizations.

3. Post learning Exchange MSC - MSC Selected by the SUN Alliance (Rwanda) – ADD PHOTO
“LR as turning point for Gisagara citizen’s brighter future” (Musabyimana Innocent, Gisagara District Plan
to Eliminate Malnutrition (DPEM) coordinator)
“Which is for you the MOST significant change? Parents with malnourished children associated in the
intervention groupshave decided to work out the malnutrition so that they are no longer visited as case study of
malnutrition
Why did you choose this particular story? Eg. why was it significant to you? Because the above has a direct
impact on both household and the country’seconomy to not depend on donors. Before the LR different
activitiesaiming at eradicating malnutrition were there in the village but citizen’s participation was low.
International guestsvisiting the community reinforced the relevance and high impact of those community led
activities.Now small groupsof people that fights against malnutrition in the villages increased and all levels of
leadership are being involved (although initial partners have phased out).Tangible examples of change are:
group vegetable gardensare maintained;community kitchen for cooking demonstration are still operational;
saving and livestock groupshave kept the momentum; statistics show that some of the children that were
malnourished before the LR are now recovered probably due to the abovementioned efforts and commitments of
their parents.”
This story reflects the overall goal of social commitment, actions and subsequent sustainability.
With hindsight: Most of the Ghisubi community have been involved in the LR, and they undertookto lead
specific sessions ofthe trainings/knowledge sharing. The activities included: cooking; vegetable gardens;
monitoring weight; family practices, poetry, music, and savingsplans.The Gisagara District is currently
championing nutrition and is proud to be selected as an example of best practice. They have confirmed that they
will allocate resources (human and financial) to ensure coordination at the sub-nationallevel. Before the LR, the
continuity of coordination was uncertain; now the responsibility has been already taken up by the government
authority.
“Self- reliance” (ZIRIPA MUKARWEGO, A community champion in milk value chain best practice, who
benefited and utilized effectively the programs of improving livelihood through the cow rearing). – ADD
PHOTO
“Changesthat occurred as a result of the LR: Other fellow farmers are now competing to become role models
so that they will also be visited for the future opportunity; Farmers have been supported with the improved milk
containers used in transportation of milk from home to collection point; lending and saving cooperatives have
been increased in number to increase the likelihood of cow keeping and possibility to get best practices ; I have
started the process ofacquiring biogas for waste management and energy procurement. I also have a water tank
for water harvesting and proper usage; Last but not least is the practice of (neighbours)donating a cow to
neighbours.
Which among those is the MOST significant for you? Donating cow for me is the most important, (said Ziripa)
What was it like before the Learning Route: “I was doing business as usualand could not expect any foreign
visitors. I was just supporting fellows with cows expecting the return. I could just train them”.
What support did the LR provide that caused the change? (How did LR influence the change?) The visitors from
the LR advised me to think about kind support to my fellows and neighbours in terms of training and livestock
giving. I also received a price of 40,000 Rwf that I have used to pay my labourers and solve some pending

4. needs.I was also proud of hosting more than 20 international guests,coming to learn from me! This has been a
unique and historic moment.
What it is like now? I have donated one cow to my son and it has given birth to one calf , now my son is looking
for someone to donate the calf to, a second one that I donated to a neighbour is about to reproduce.
What the tangible examplesof the change? We got another visit from German organization that urged us to keep
momentum of poverty alleviation through the modern farming; as per feedback from LR visitors, I am now
mobilizing my fellow women in livestock and assist them with technical expertise. After the LR I have joined
more saving groups (12) where we receive messages from government officials around selected topics including
fighting malnutrition in our families. Because of all those inputs and motivations, I have even gained weight!”
This story shows the change happening at the community level in the sphere of nutrition sensitive efforts and
livelihoods. It shows creative thinking by Ziripa who is investing in a complementary livelihood. International
guests encouraged Ziripa to further sharing, and thanks to these vists she has gained confidence and technical
expertise.
With hindsight: Ziripa has 5 sons,all of them received secondary or university level education, and she has
brought water, electricity and sanitation to her house,which now is cosy and welcoming. Before the learning
route she told us that she was hoping one day to be able to have her own biogas plant, soon after the
international exchange she acquired the tools and initiated the construction. She lost her husband but she never
lost her energy and she is very willing to innovate and challenge herself and her neighbour to defeat
malnutrition and poverty.
In Rwanda hosting a Learning Exchange demonstrated that it is the “real deal” for the SUN Alliance (hosting
partner). Learning Exchanges have the potential to install the seeds of good governance,coordination, trust,
empowerment, and public relations that will flourish after the exchange. To unlock the full potential of learning
exchanges, appropriate time and resources must be allocated to allow participatory planning and inclusive
preparation, implementation and consolidation.
To read the (14) stories collected, for further analysis, reports and information please contact:Cecilia Ruberto
(SUN CSN Learning Programme Coordinator c.ruberto@savethechildren.org.uk or visit the Learning Route
website: http://suncivilsocietynet.wixsite.com/learningroute/ ; SUNCSN website:
http://www.suncivilsociety.com/ ; SUN Alliance website: www.sunalliancerwanda.org )
Acknowledgments and thanks go to:
To all the Champions and Story Selection panel members: thank you for your time, for your inspiring analysis
and sharing. We are accountable to you and we make a renewed commitment in putting learning, trust and the
voice of the communities at the centre of our work.