About us | Our approach

GPA works with clients to analyse problems, provide innovative solutions and evaluate performance in democracy, governance and human rights.

GPA's approach has three dimensions:

• analysis of the political, social and cultural factors to define the problem;
• innovation to help clients develop and manage solutions; and
• evaluation of performance through a range of indicators and benchmarks.

Analysis

There are no 'off-the-shelf' answers to providing effective democratic practice. Many factors shape the behaviour of organisations, institutions and political actors. And these vary across countries and continents, and from institution to institution.

GPA takes the time to work with clients and identify the root causes of their political situation. We start from an analysis of existing activity and the political, social and cultural factors influencing performance. Throughout our work we draw on the experience of those working directly in the field, so that our assessment includes first-hand insights from practitioners and stakeholders in addition to well-placed expert opinion.

We have developed our own diagnostic approach over time, but always adapt it to meet the specific circumstances and challenges that come with each individual project.

Innovation

Even with a thorough analysis of the social and political landscape, solutions to improve organisational performance rarely emerge fully formed. They frequently require a change in political understanding and behaviour which needs to be managed over time.

GPA works with individuals, organisations and institutions to help them find innovative ways of confronting deep-seated problems. We are always looking for new ways of addressing old problems. Our clients are therefore central in the development process.

We believe that our work should offer long-term benefits, beyond the lifetime of a project. It is therefore important to ensure that those affected by the changes own the process - in defining solutions and designing methods for implementing them. We aim to provide continuing support and advice in managing that process of change.

Evaluation

The study of governance has fostered a proliferation of indicators and benchmarking tools in recent years, particularly in the fields of transparency and corruption. While all such developments add to the general understanding of political and corporate performance worldwide most only provide a snapshot of activity, relying on quantitative rather than qualitative measures.

GPA often works with the most commonly-used and widely respected indicators, but is also seeking to develop more meaningful measures for clients and political institutions. We are therefore developing a range of evaluative tools that help to frame problems and measure the effectiveness of implemented solutions. These tools provide a spectrum which stretches from diagnosis to delivery, and we are working on indicators in each of our main areas of activity, including the media and democracy, corporate transparency, access to information and parliamentary strengthening.

We work with our clients to provide specific indicators that meet their need, and which attempt to provide a broader analysis, capturing deeper behavioural changes as well as statistical outputs.

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