Evaluating out Loud. A 2-part Practice-Based Experiment in Relational, Regenerative, and Future-First Evaluation (free of charge)
We are inviting a cohort of evaluators, internal MEL practitioners, and peer supporters into a collaborative, practice-based learning experiment on innovative evaluation methods. More specifically, we will explore Relational, Regenerative, and Future-First evaluation. While each method is distinct, all have special relevance for relationships-focused and network practitioners.
This experiment offers a supportive space to learn about, test, and adapt concrete practices within real-world challenges. It combines two live online sessions with light-touch asynchronous accompaniment through a WhatsApp group, optional peer check-ins, and attending sessions of our "Experiments in Evaluation" event series.
Who This Is For
We are bringing together a cohort of 20–50 participants across three roles:
Active Evaluation Consultants: You are currently delivering an evaluation and want to test methods better suited to complexity, systems change, or relational work.
Internal MEL & Program Staff: You hold evaluation, learning, reflection, or sense-making responsibilities within an organization, project, or portfolio.
Curious Learners & Peer-Supporters: You may not have a live case to bring right now, but you want to learn these approaches and support others through listening, reflection, and peer coaching.
What the Experiment Involves
Session 1 (Live): Orientation, Approach Exploration & Case Pods (October 15, 4-5.30pm CET)
We will introduce three practical evaluation approaches (Relational, Regenerative, and Future-First), host a dynamic Q&A, and break into peer pods to help match live challenges with relevant practices and methods to try out.
Between Sessions: Applied Experimentation & Ecosystem Touchpoints
Over 7 weeks, you will have space to test one or more of these practical methods in your work. You will be supported by:
Weekly reflection prompts and light troubleshooting in a dedicated WhatsApp group.
Optional peer check-ins within small buddy pods.
Optional Event Series: Invitation to our parallel public event series, Experiments in Regenerative Evaluation, to drop into live case inquiries with guest co-hosts.
Signal Tracker: A light-touch 2-minute form to log real-time shifts, tensions, or insights to help map emergent learning across our network.
Session 2 (Live): Shared Learning & Harvesting (December 3, 4-5.30pm CET)
We will reconvene to reflect on what was tried, what worked, what was challenging, and how these practices landed in real-world contexts.
What You Can Expect
This is an applied, collaborative learning space. You can expect:
Practical exposure to emerging evaluation approaches grounded in real-world application.
Light-touch peer accompaniment on active evaluation challenges.
Honest collective reflection with peers navigating similar territory.
Financial Access Support
This is a free offering. Yet we know that participating in an experiment like this requires time and energy. If this invitation speaks to you but your financial situation would make participation difficult, please let us know. We have light financial support available thanks to our collaboration with Fito.
You can reach out to Jannik for further information: jannik@unityeffect.net
We’d love you to join our learning journey!
Your hosts
Malaika Cheney-Coker
Dr. Tim Strasser
Jannik Kaiser
Host bios
Malaika Cheney-Coker is a writer and a nonprofit and international development professional. She is the founder of
Ignited Word, a consulting firm dedicated to applying creativity and imagination for social good. She is also the author of the novel
Creature of Air and Still Water, published in April 2025 by
Flexible Press. With an overall emphasis on impact-at-scale approaches, Malaika has 24 years of experience in such varied roles and consulting assignments as creativity and imagination, research, monitoring, evaluation and learning, organizational development, communications and thought leadership, strategy, and coalition-building. She has worked across multiple sectors, including for the international NGO CARE, as well as for Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter. Her most cherished career highlights include many enriching conversations with locals under trees and in homes in some of the most remote communities of the world. She has a B.A. in English (Literature Concentration) from Lebanon Valley College and a Masters in International Affairs and Development from Clark Atlanta University.
Jannik Kaiser: Jannik is the Co-founder and CEO of Unity Effect, leading the development of Regenerative Measurement & Evaluation. He bridges complexity science, human sense-making, and ecosystem weaving to advocate for shifting evaluation from a compliance burden into a life-affirming practice.
