About UNAS;

 An independent, non-profit organization that provides credible, balanced, and evidence-

driven advice to the nation on matters of science and development.

Definition of MEL

Who is MEL for?

 Your Organization
 Your partners
 Communities you work with
 Your funders

Levels of MEL
 Organization MEL
Focus on monitoring the performance of your organization as a whole. The areas considered
in organizational MEL include:
 Your organization’s mission;
 Your organizational structure;
 Your planning, implementation and MEL processes;
 Your organizational capacity.

 Project MEL
Project MEL focuses on a specific project:
 monitoring targets
 results
 changes
 challenges

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning cycle

MEL is;
 Integral part of project design, implementation and completion
 Done at all stages within the project cycle
Key Elements of MEL

MEL Planning Tools

1. Weavers Triangle
The Weavers Triangle allows you to specify your goals, develop your outcomes and outputs
(check if also activities?) to show how they link and contribute to each next stage in a logical
manner.

2. Log Frame
Similar to the Weavers Triangle, It also allows you to identify sources of data as well as the
assumptions, i.e. the conditions necessary for outputs and outcomes to be delivered

Data
What data you decide to collect, how and when are key to the success of your project.

Types of Data
1. Qualitative- descriptive, expressed in words or visual/auditory images, and gives a more
holistic picture of a situation.
2. Quantitative- numerical data, i.e. data that can be counted for example numbers, amounts,
proportion

Sources of Data
1. Primary sources- data collected directly from target communities.
2. Secondary sources- data from written records.
 Methods for data collection
Primary sources - individual interviews, focus group discussions, observation and surveys.
Secondary sources - documentary review.

Ensuring quality of data

 Voice and Inclusion: voices of target communities are included in the data to provide a
clear picture.
 Appropriateness: ensure that the right methods are used to collect different types of data.
 Triangulation: ensure that data is collected using both quantitative and qualitative
methods
 Contribution: the contribution of your project to bringing about change, and the factors
outside your project influencing or contributing to change.
 Transparency: ensure transparency in your dealings with partners and communities e.g.
project budgets, resources.

MEL Costing
Generally, you should consider costing the following activities:
 Consultations with communities on needs
 Assessments and project design;
 Participation of partners and communities in MEL planning;
 Specific MEL activities including needs assessments, baselines, routine monitoring,
ongoing reflection and learning, and periodic evaluations
 Participation of partners and communities in implementing specific MEL activities.

How can you develop your organizations skills further?- Learning

 Mentorship programs
 Trainings
 Mel Working Groups
 Recruiting MEL consultants for specific assignments.