# WHAT WE DO?

Strategic Thinking

We design and accompany strategic thinking processes for organizations, donors and civil society organizations and networks. 

COMETA believes that each organization is unique, therefore we design a tailored-process based on the goals, needs and characteristics of each client. Our strategic thinking approach includes the following stages: 

  • Retrospective reflection about the context, past results and learning. 
  • Elaboration of the institutional Theory of Change, with impact maps. 
  • Elaboration of working plans based on the Theory of Change with detailed strategic activities, responsibilities and timelines. 
  • Design of impact indicators for strategic objectives. 

#EXAMPLES #CLIENTS

Civil society organizations

Foundations and international institutions

International foundations

Horizontal Learning

We coordinate and facilitate horizontal learning processes that bring together organizations, networks and stakeholders of the same community of practice to share their experiences, challenges and goals to foster horizontal learning and collaboration on relevant issues for their advocacy agendas. 

In COMETA we understand horizontal learning as a fundamental strategy to create and transform communities of practice. Civil society organizations and networks are increasingly confronted with complex environments that force them to stay updated and learn from their own experiences and those of their community of practice. Our processes include: 

  • Scope the strengths and needs of the organizations participating in the process. 
  • Design the workshop agenda oriented towards a shared reflection and learning, with a participatory approach. 
  • Facilitate discussions with methodologies that promote participation in a flexible, horizontal and friendly environment. 
  • Document and systematize the main reflections and conclusions in products not only useful for the participants of each process, but for other organizations interested in the same methodologies, strategies and themes. 
  • Coordinate all the logistics arrangements of the event, if needed.

Documentation and Systematization of Experiences

We help our clients to analyze and document experiences, strategies and relevant processes for their advocacy agendas. We specially focus on assessing key factors that contributed to success or main aspects for the institutional learning. 

The processes through which the organizations are able to achieve changes and impact are complex and depend on the context, the opportunities, the strategic vision, the resources and the experience of the organization. The documentation and systematization of these processes offer a unique opportunity to develop, maintain and use knowledge more strategically inside the organization. 

COMETA offers support to document and systematize processes through tailored methodologies  that include:  

  • Analysis of relevant documents and data. 
  • Interviews with key stakeholders. 
  • Case studies.
  • Elaboration of guides, handbooks and tool kits to foster learning.

Civil society organizations in Mexico

International foundations

International civil society organizations

Civil society organizations in Mexico

Foundations and international organizations

Evaluation

We design tailored evaluation methodologies aimed at learning and institutional strengthening. 

Identifying the results and achievements of the organizations and institution is a key tool for learning and for the continuous improvement of their strategies. 

We design specific proposals for each organization in order to assess the challenges that each one faces, according to its own objectives, needs and characteristics. 

We consider: 

  • The context in which the work of the organization is developed.
  • Strategic vision and Theory of Change of each organization. 
  • Capabilities and opportunities.
  • Learning objectives for evaluation. 
  • Recommendations for improvement.
 

Research

We conduct research processes to provide a solid and evidence-based framework aligned with the strategic objectives of our clients. 

Advocacy work requires, in addition to a clear strategic vision, theoretical and methodological frameworks that supports the strategic objectives of the organizations. In this line, COMETA helps organizations and institutions to: 

  • Identify relevant research questions and methodologies aligned with the strategic vision and Theory of Change (TOC) of the organization.
  • Develop and design research methodologies.
  • Elaborate research documents and instruments.
  • Capacity building for strategic research.

Civil society organizations in Mexico

International organizations and institutions

International organizations and institutions

Capacity Building and Training

We offer workshops and trainings designed and tailored based on the specific learning needs and strategic objectives of our clients. We propose a participatory approach that combines theoretical information with practical exercises applied to real-life cases. 

Capacity Building is an important feature of the strengthening process of any organization, and to accomplish its strategic goals and impact objectives. We seek to increase the participant’s potential for learning and applying new knowledge to their work. 

Our areas of expertise include: 

  • Budget Analysis. 
  • Transparency, Access to Information and Accountability.
  • Strategic Thinking and Theory of Change design.
  • Public Policy Analysis.
  • Methodologies to foster citizen participation (social audits, scorecards, PETS and others). 

Financial Resilience

This accompaniment seeks to build sustainable skills and knowledge for organizations to develop an institutional strategy for sustainability and impact that has resource mobilization and operations at the center.  To that end, our work with organizations is focused on five key aspects of financial resource management: budgeting, diversification of funding, financing context, leadership and communication. 

COMETA’S workshops are participative and include practical excersises aiming to guide the design and implementation of actions that contribute to organization’s sustainability and financial resilience, promoting the interaction between program and administrative teams, and to strengthen their ability to define, together,  financial needs, ans strategies to movilize resources. 

* COMETA has a licensing agreement with Spring Strategies (www.springstrategies.org) to adapt some relevant elements of its methodology for this work. The FIRE program is licensed under a
Creative Commons International Licence 4.0
 

International organizations and institutions

Our advisors are always available to support you. Let's get started!

Juan Francisco Bezares

Associate consultant in COMETA since 2015. He collaborates in evaluation and strategic reflection processes. He is an expert in strategic communication for institutions in the public and private sectors. He has a track record in public service in the areas of transparency, accountability and protection of personal data. In his most recent assignment as a public servant, he was Presentation Coordinator of one of the five members of the Plenary of the Institute of Transparency, Access to Public Information, Accountability and Protection of Personal Data of Mexico City (INFO, Mexico City ). He studied politics and public administration at the Colegio de México and has diplomas in Personal Data Protection and cybersecurity from institutions such as CIDE and UDLAP and in Electoral and Political Strategies from ITAM.

Eduardo Villareal Cantú

He collaborates in COMETA since 2017 in the design of evaluation and facilitation methodologies for strategic thinking. He is an expert in public policy, design of evaluation methodologies and public participation. Currently, he is professor at the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE) and in the Latin American Faculty for Social Sciences (FLACSO). He has collaborated academically with the Organization of American States, the Slim Foundation, Article 19, among others. He holds a BA on Political Science from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL), a Master in Administration and Public Policies from CIDE and a Master in Public Management by the UANL. He has a PhD on Public Policies from the Institut de Govern i Polítiques Públiques (IGOP, Barcelona) and the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po, Paris).

Maylí Consuelo Sepúlveda Toledo

She collaborates with COMETA since 2017 in the design of methodologies for research and social accountability trainings. She is an expert in social accountability, community participation, access to information, transparency and accountability. Currently, she is founder and the Executive Director of Controla tu Gobierno. She has been a consultant for international organizations including the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT), American University, William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, the International Budget Partnership (IBP), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program, on accountability and promotion of access to information projects. She was the Director of Liaison with Civil Society in the Federal Institute of Access to Public Information and the Federal Electoral Institute in Mexico. For more than a decade she has given workshops and offered public advice in the Electoral Court of the Federal Judicial Branch and the Federal Electoral Institute.

Tania Sánchez Andrade

She collaborates with COMETA since 2017 in facilitation processes, systematization of experiences and strategic planning. She is a specialist in public policies, transparency, access to information and accountability. Currently, she is an independent consultant, has a long career as an activist in transparency, access to information and accountability. She was the Director General of International Affairs of the Federal Institute of Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data (IFAI) and Manager of Learning and Research of the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT). She holds a degree in International Relations from El Colegio de México and a Master in International Relations with focus on Political and Economic Development from Columbia University.

Melissa Ortíz Massó

She collaborates with COMETA since 2015 in the design and facilitation of strategic thinking and training processes. She is an expert in gender, legislative analysis and advocacy related with public policy, private enterprises & human rights and stakeholder analysis. Currently, she is the representative for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean of the Information Center on Business and Human Rights. She also worked with Fundar, Center for Analysis and Research during 10 years with various responsibilities. She has a degree in International Relations from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Gerardo Maldonado Hernández

He collaborates with COMETA since 2017 in the design of methodologies for the development of strategic thinking. He is an expert in the construction of indicators, comparative political behavior, culture and political attitudes, public opinion and international politics. Gerardo is currently an Assistant Professor at the International Studies Division in the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE) since 2010. He is also General Director of the Latin American regional project “The Americas and the World: Public Opinion and International Politics”. He has been visiting researcher at the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University (USA) and the Institute of International Relation in the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil). He holds a BA in Public Administration from El Colegio de Mexico (Mexico) and a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona, Spain).

Jorge Israel Hernández Herrera

He collaborates with COMETA in facilitation and technical assistance on communication for advocacy related projects. He is a specialist in conflict management, strategic communication, media and political analysis. Currently, he is the General Underdirector of Content and Liaison of the Judicial Channel, the public network of the Mexican Supreme Court of Justice and he is a teacher in various academic institutions such as the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE). He was communication advisor of the Representative in Mexico of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, where he has also been a specialized consultant. He holds a Master degree in Human Rights from the Universidad Iberoamericana, a BA in Journalism and Collective Communication from UNAM and has a diploma in conflict management from the National University of La Plata.

Christian Gruenberg

He collaborates with COMETA since 2018 in facilitation, and training processes. He is an expert in human rights, feminism, access to information and public bidding processes. Currently, he is an independent legal advisor and founding member of the Collective for Diversity (COPADI). He has been Director of Transparency International Argentina, the Anti-Corruption Program of the Poder Ciudadano Foundation and the Transparency Program of the Center for Public Policies for Equity and Growth. He also worked in the Public Ministry of Defense of the City of Buenos Aires. He is a lawyer from the University of Buenos Aires, has a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University and a diploma in Public Policy from the University of Chile.

Shaamela Cassiem

She collaborates with COMETA since 2019 in budget analysis and participation research. She is an expert in human rights, gender, equallity and children’s rights. She has over 20 years of experience working in civil society in South Africa and internationally. Further, her work draws strongly on an intersectionality lens to support social justice goals.