NGO Network Analysis Handbook: how to measure and map linkages between NGOs

The goal of this handbook is to help NGO staff, and particularly, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) staff to move beyond using network as a metaphor and understand how to measure and map them. More specifically, this handbook is designed to help NGO staff accomplish the following objectives: (a) understand what network analysis is, (b) how to collect network data, (c) how to create visual maps of the network, and (d) how to analyze the network data for program/project development or evaluation.

The goal of this handbook is to help NGO staff, and particularly, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) staff to move beyond using network as a metaphor and understand how to measure and map them. The handbook defines what a network analysis is and describes how to utilize network analyses as an analytical tool. Further, it demonstrates how measuring and mapping an NGO network can help weave a more cohesive and productive NGO network through a case study, Understanding and Improving the Impact of Youth Conflidenct-Building Initiatives in the Samegrelo and Gali regions of Georgia. Specifically, it outlines (a) study design, (b) data collection tools and data collection, (c) creating a database, (d) drawing the network, (e) analyzing the network, and (f) plans to weave the network. Finally, the authors provide recommendations and conclusions for how to improve and facilitate NGO networks.