Definitions:
‘Church Network' refers to a group or system of interconnected churches that are non denominational in nature. They do not have an overarching governance system, but instead share similar values and commit to sharing resources (learning, best practices, strategic issues and in some cases financial resources). A church network should not be counted if it merely has some facilitators who have been trained in CCT. This is about strategic engagement with the church network. Church networks can be engaged directly by Tearfund or indirectly through partners and allies.
‘Integration into CCT’ will be defined by church networks who have one of the following elements:
a) CCT advocacy or social accountability is a formalised part of the CCMP training process and is seen in the overall project through outlined advocacy objectives, indicators and deliverables that will be monitored and measured at project level.
b). Stand alone CCT Advocacy & Social accountability innovation initiatives taken by the church network despite no formalised inclusion in the project objectives.
c). National church leaders being envisioned and mobilised to influence national governments through campaigns e.g. Haiti We Want, Zimbabwe we want, Born amongst us etc
d) Church networks encouraging Church led communities that are engaging local governments on issues that affect the community using advocacy approaches and tools e.g. Social accountability tools (not necessary doing CCMP e.g Church Mobilisation)
Integration should lead to local churches and denominations actively advocating decision makers seeking for change on community identified issues at all levels.
'Actively advocating': Refers to denominations and church networks that are subsequently advocating using social accountability tools to advocate for change. This could include any of the following:
- identified community and national issues,
- identified government as a key resource;
- participating in Government policy making processes,
- engaged in dialogue with decision makers at all levels through calls, email, letter, petition or other,
- conducting lobbying meetings,
- written press statements and/or policy briefs,
- coordinated campaigns,
- used any other social accountability tools to advance good governance
- local or national campaigning
How?
To monitor denominations integrating advocacy, campaigning and/or social accountability into CCT, TF or partners should encourage denominations or networks to keep a log of advocacy actions taken and their response.
This is best done alongside a wider advocacy plan which includes mapping key stakeholders (national strategic coalitions, networks and allies) and national policies relevant to the identified issue and its implementation to local level (resources, government plans, identified resources, etc).
Country teams should monitor all their engagement with church denominations or church networks within a “Stakeholders mapping” spreadsheet. This mapping should reflect and track the engagement and relationships Tearfund has with church denominations and church networks that are being strategically targeted.
This monitoring should be the result of a joint conversation between country teams, CCT, TNE and Advocacy cluster advisers and Advocacy country office advisors where relevant., in order to facilitate alignment over country support and impact.
Cluster and regional level relationships will be monitored separately, between the CCT, TNE and Advocacy cluster advisers and Advocacy country office advisors where relevant.
Where Tearfund has had a catalytic role, church denominations or other allies should be encouraged to take this approach to help them effectively support facilitators.
Who collects?
CCT coordinators at the country level should monitor church denominations and church networks whose capacity on CCT Advocacy and social accountability is being built; monitor the progress at all levels regularly and keep progress updated.
The Social Accountability Adviser, Advocacy cluster advisers and/or Advocacy country office advisors should provide support on advocacy mapping and tracking the denomination/network advocacy activities and validate the data.
TNE and CCT advisers should provide support in the mapping of church denominations, prioritizing, support and advice for strategic relationship building and monitoring the progress.
