On this page we answer the question, what is Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning? We explain why we think it’s important and our approach.
You can also view our related training courses and news. We also offer consultancy, facilitation and coaching on this subject.
Accepting that circumstances and factors surrounding social interventions and projects tend to be dynamic and emergent requires a major focus on learning. We understand MEL as the reflection-action learning processes happening during and after any social intervention aimed at maximizing contribution to transformative changes, including implementing organisations’ changes. "Not everything that can be counted counts…not everything that counts can be counted." W. Bruce Cameron.
From a learning perspective, MEL participation of different stakeholders – understood as methods, tools, approaches, practices and attitudes – is not just considered a “good practice” but actually constitutes a core, pragmatic principle to inform processes of organisational learning and decision making. Since knowledge is to be created by actors on the ground, programmes need to be informed by stakeholders’ interpretation and participation in making sense of their experiences.
We believe that our role as evaluators is to facilitate collaborative processes that are empowering and contribute to a sense of ownership for stakeholders.
In our experience, when introducing a participatory and facilitative approach to reflection and data collection, new insights and learning will emerge which are of direct and immediate use to the stakeholders involved, so that the outcome of the evaluation is not limited to the report and accountability to funders and donors.
In our MEL activities we focus our attention on data and information coming from participatory processes from grassroots for decision making and learning at organisational level.
We use different evaluation frameworks such as casual frameworks including logframes and Theory of Change (ToC), Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning; contribution frameworks, such as Outcome Mapping and Process Tracing, as well as gender analysis approaches with intersectional perspectives which are closely linked with evaluation frameworks around power asymmetries.
In our work we apply a wide range of technical skills for social research, including qualitative and quantitative tools to aid data generation, and collective and multi-stakeholder analysis. We particularly favour transformative participatory tools that are oriented in reflection and action.
IMA conducted a week-long tailored training with the Indonesian planning agency BAPPENAS on Impact Evaluation to enhance technical knowledge and skills for evaluations. The workshop brought together 17 members of staff from 10 different Directorates including 3 directors.
One great advantage of a tailor-made training is that organisationally specific group work can be developed, and ideas and plans can be shared with colleagues situated in different departments, locations, and...
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Much of our tailor made work and consultancy comes from recommendations by people...
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IMA provided a five-day remote training for 25 staff of Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) in Results Based Management, using a mix of our specialist online learning platform, presentations delivered remotely, and exercises and reading materials tailored to AKAH using documents shared by the AKAH team.
We are well known for our engaging and participatory method of training, and we kept this up online! Before the course delivery we selected 5 people from the AKAH team to get extra training in facilitation. They then guided their team-mates through the participatory exercises designed to complement and embed their learning. We know...
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The coast of Red Sea State, Sudan, has an See more
Tags: Consultancy, Evaluation, WFP, Theory of Change, Silvia Capezzuoli
Website: https://www.wfp.org/monitoring-evaluation-and-learning
Tags: Monitoring and Evaluation, data gathering, training, Theory of Change, learning, results, evidence
Website: https://www.trustdevcom.org.uk/
We will soon be publishing our Brochure for 2020.
Whether you’re planning ahead for your training or consultancy needs, or just want to read more about our facilitation approach make sure you get your copy! Read about our training course subject areas, tailor-made workshops, our Certificate in International Development offer, and about how we encourage positive behaviour change.
Please email post@imainternational.com to receive your pdf 2020 brochure. Do provide your postal address if you want to receive a copy through the post.
In the meantime read See more
Relationships
We believe trust comes from the building of relationships, from the process of knowing individuals and organisations in a way which helps to construct and de-construct ideas and assumptions people strongly relate to and believe. We appreciate that our clients continue to invite us in at key points in their own growth and regard us as consultants they can trust to work relationally with them and support their organisations, programmes and people in new and multiple ways.
Trust
We think a key component in bringing about transformational change is the concept of trust. Trust is key in all the work we do and...
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