Research & Impact 


Prototyping Phase 2020 - 2022 

From 2020 to 2022, we piloted a capacity-building methodology that aimed to equip participants involved in community-based food initiatives, in Zimbabwe, with the skills and knowledge to produce participatory video proposals. Through this phase, we developed facilitation resources that were tailored to the unique needs of our participants and supported participatory learning.

Over the course of the prototyping phase, we engaged with approximately 70 individual participants from 13 NGOs and 30 CBOs. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we were able to provide remotely-facilitated online workshops that were accessible through Zoom and WhatsApp. These workshops were designed to foster small learning circles, allowing participants to collaborate and engage with one another in a supportive environment.

We are proud of the impact that this prototyping phase has had and look forward to continuing to refine and share our approach.

The next phase. What's Next?

Scale it out: support further national & regional organisations, in Zimbabwe and beyond, through Training of Trainers

Scale it up: influence systemic transformation of the grant giving application processes of international donor organisations and related INGOs

Currently, we are working to scale out and scale up, collaborating with individuals and groups to take an active role in shaping their local food systems. By advocating for more participatory, community-led approaches to funding, we hope to create a more equitable and sustainable food systems landscape. 

SCOPE, Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre, Kufunda Village, ZIDAWU Trust, Hand in Hand, PELUM and Make it Grow in person event in Harare, Zimbabwe.
SCOPE, Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre, Kufunda Village, ZIDAWU Trust, Hand in Hand, PELUM and Make it Grow in person event in Harare, Zimbabwe.

70 participants trained in participatory video proposals

13 NGOs 30 CBOs involved

15 Video Proposals completed and gaining funding 

"Participants acknowledged that their participation in the Make it Grow capacity-building programme has resulted in them having transferable skills that are of value to their work in general and has led to them doing new activities." (Impact Report) 

Research Activities 

We are committed to researching and monitoring the impact of the project. In the prototyping phase, Make it Grow recruited 4 University of Sheffield students to undertake research placements or internships, via the SURE scheme and the Graduate Internship Scheme. Research topics include: Participant Experiences of and Reflections on Spaces of Inclusion or Exclusion; Community Project Impact Pathway Analysis. Since the prototyping phase, we continued to research the impact of Make it Grow and recently undertook a participatory monitoring and evaluation study by Prisca Adong, Peter Gandakusuma and Pamela Richardson in May-August 2022.

Video Proposals

With several video proposals now completed, groups have been supported to set up independent fundraising pages to crowdfund for their community-based sustainable food projects. Please see Video Proposals

The Vision Africa Community Working Group are raising funds for their Horticulture and Chicken Breeding Project to tackle unemployment, a lack of economic empowerment, and poverty.


Existing Research Papers on Video Proposals:

Experience with participatory video proposals: assisting community organisations with innovation project planning, Pamela Richardson, Maria Jose Restrepo Rodriguez, Raul Fernandez, Brigitte Kaufmann.

Participatory Video Proposals: A Tool for Empowering FarmerGroups in Transdisciplinary Innovation Processes?, Pamela Richardson, Maria Jose Restrepo Rodriguez, Raul Fernandez, Brigitte Kaufmann.


We offer a range of services including:

  • Workshop-based training on how to make & facilitate community video proposals

  • Consultancy services on grant applications for community-based projects

  • Support for social impact-oriented research and for video-based project reporting and evaluation

© 2021 Make It Grow | All rights reserved.
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