Mapping

In this first step, facilitators will need to reflect on exactly what they hope to achieve by mapping. This includes who the participants are, and how it will be conducted. Some points to think through include:

• Online facilitation, interviews or focus groups?
• Transect walk or pens and paper?
• What theme will be explored? For example: Mobility/travel, access to resources, toilet access, water access, clinics access, market/bazaar access?
• Change agents, beneficiaries, or staff?

Identify the physical prompts to be used in mapping. We recommend testing any tools with a variety of participants before starting. Add visuals and translate as required. Laminate cards or templates if they will be used frequently.

Mobility maps are often conducted with a concentric circle diagram. The diagram can be prepared in advance. Each ring of the circle represents a different layer of the community, with the most central layer representing the smallest layer. For example home, village, ward, district, country. 

During the interview, workshop or focus groups, and at the appropriate time, follow these subs-steps. It is better to conduct one-on-one interviews for more sensitive topics. However, group engagement can also allow for raising awareness.

Mobility Maps

1. Introduce the map and clarify any templates or materials. 
2. Clarify each area of the map to make sure the participant(s) understand the objectives.
3. Ask participant(s) to identify the furthest location different types of people could travel to without restrictions. These could be organisational, familial, societal or even personal restrictions. They can point on the map and then draw a figure to represent this type of person.
4. Use this to discuss the restrictions and whether there are ways a team can overcome them. What are the reasons for the restrictions? (Provide prompts – to do the right thing, safety, husband won’t let me etc).
5. Make a note of important aspects that are useful for analysis: age, status gender, role, religion, ethnicity, experience, or other aspects.
6. Write down observations and probe participant(s) to explain their decisions.

Community Maps

1. Introduce the map and clarify any templates or materials. 
2. Collaboratively identify what things will be drawn on the map. For example: clinics, schools, religious buildings, homes, sanitation, and water.  
3. Ask participant(s) to draw the map and identify different aspects of it for different types of people.
4. Use this to discuss the different levels of access and whether there are ways that communities can create more equitable distributions.
5. Make a note of important aspects that are useful for analysis: age, status gender, role, religion, ethnicity, experience or other aspects.
6. Write down observations and probe participant(s) to explain their decisions.

The final step is to analyse the responses to identify key themes and share them with relevant stakeholders.

• Compile Maps. With mobility maps, we recommend compiling the findings into a single document. We recommend using Excel or post-it notes and placing the map areas steps across the top of the page as columns. Then in each column add a quick description of the respondents who fall into each category. Break this down by age, gender, ethnicity or other aspects to find themes. This may take on a different shape if the analysis is longitudinal, comparative or retrospective. For community maps, there is not the same requirement for compilation.

Compiling Example 1

Compiling Example 2

• Sensemaking workshop. In a workshop setting, explore the data with a group of key stakeholders.

While mapping is best done in person, it can also be completed remotely using participatory methods.

Keeping in mind differences in access and literacy, think about different ways to facilitate and plan the activity.

See an example of participatory activities using Google Slide.

Learn more on the digital tools page.