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How can the government's MEL system be strengthened through the USAID-funded project's MEL system?
What are effective models for data feedback or restitution to beneficiaries?

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Governments have their own, If that exist at all, disconnected MEL systems at different levels; So do multilateral and bilateral donor agencies and implementing partners. What enabling roles would the country wide alignment of MEL systems could play  in localization and MEL? 

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Governments have their own, If that exist at all, disconnected MEL systems at different levels; So do multilateral and bilateral donor agencies and implementing partners. What enabling roles would the country wide alignment of MEL systems could play  in localization and MEL? 

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International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE)

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International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE)

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www.ioce.net

You can find an interactive map of Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs) that are members of the IOCE here: https://ioce.net/vopes/vope-map/

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https://vopetoolkit.ioce.net/en/page/about

This toolkit was co-created by VOPEs around the world, and it is available in English, French and Spanish in this link.

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This Voluntary Organization for Professional Evaluation (VOPE) Institutional Capacity Toolkit is a collection of curated descriptions, tools, advice, examples, software and toolboxes developed by VOPEs and other organizations working to support non-profit organizations.

It was compiled by EvalPartners, the International Evaluation Partnership Initiative, together with the Toolkit Task Force responsible for Institutional capacity building of VOPEs.

Who this toolkit is for

This toolkit is for volunteers and staff involved in establishing and managing emergent and developed VOPEs. If your VOPE has just started out, this resource is for you. If your VOPE has been around for a long time, but you are interested in making it more transparent or active, this resource is also for you.

What this toolkit is

This toolkit is a collection of curated descriptions, tools, advice, examples, software and toolboxes developed by VOPEs and other organizations working to support non-profit organizations.

What this toolkit is not

This toolkit is not an exhaustive list of topics to which VOPEs should pay attention. It is a good collection of information for VOPEs to start to consult, but it does not replace the kind of information that an experienced professional or trained information specialist might be able to advise on. All of the material is included as is, and there is no guarantee that the material will be appropriate in your context.

Learn more about VOPEs

To learn more about what VOPEs are, go to https://ioce.net/evaluation-organizations. And to see profiles of VOPEs that have registered with IOCE, go to https://ioce.net/vope-directory, where VOPEs can be searched by country. If your VOPE is not yet in that Directory, you can register it at https://ioce.net/vope-registration."

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This Voluntary Organization for Professional Evaluation (VOPE) Institutional Capacity Toolkit is a collection of curated descriptions, tools, advice, examples, software and toolboxes developed by VOPEs and other organizations working to support non-profit organizations. It was compiled by EvalPartners, the International Evaluation Partnership Initiative, together with the Toolkit Task Force responsible for Institutional capacity building of VOPEs.

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united states agency for international development

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A global service hub dedicated to engaging potential partners and demystifying the process of working with USAID to multiply the Agency's impact around the world.

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Hi, I'm Phuong Pham. In my current role as Research Director for the USAID Learns activity, I lead a team providing research services to USAID/Vietnam and its implementing partners. We try to ensure that our values around engaging local stakeholders in evidence generation and use, and prioritizing local voices in our work spread to our research efforts. However, achieving it seems to constantly elude us. Below I share three examples where we were able to make localization more of a reality.

Lessons Learned

Localize from the start: use scoping as the entry point. In my experience, there is no better way to ensure that the research products can be locally used than by engaging stakeholders as early as possible in scoping, addressing the right questions that matter most to local users. I worked on a unique evaluation of a forestry program - my first assignment that was not only scoped with but even initiated by the program's local government partner. Throughout, we built on existing strong relationships between USAID, the implementing partner, and the government to align different learning needs, making the research process a learning partnership between all stakeholders and the evaluation team.

Localize throughout: use participatory methods. Another evaluation examined the sustainability of a competency-based medical education (CBME) approach. Acknowledging that CBME will be implemented and sustained by the local stakeholders, it was crucial for the research team to understand what sustainability means in the local context and defined by the stakeholder. Tapping into local experience and expertise was the heart of the assignment. The evaluation employed a participatory approach, focusing on creating conditions and facilitating forums for stakeholders and experts to share their insights. Stakeholders were invited to a validation event where they contributed directly to sense-making and validating preliminary findings and co-developing recommendations. As a result, the findings and recommendations were strongly perceived as useful in guiding the work-planning process and future design by the stakeholders.

Localize throughout: think in, see, and analyze local systems. A third evaluation examined whether a trade facilitation program was addressing the government's priorities and private sector needs. Hence, with this evaluation, listening to the local system and exploring how it responded to interventions from local perspectives was essential. The evaluation applied USAID's 5R Framework (Results, Roles, Relationships, Rules, and Resources) and a systems thinking approach, conducting a stakeholder mapping exercise to identify all key stakeholders influencing the system. The 5R Framework guided the evaluation toward valuable recommendations for the program to focus on during its remaining time.

Localization can also come in the form of simply building research teams with strong local experts-another way of tapping into the local knowledge-who have a strong understanding about the local context, good connections, and proven capacity. Besides, the most critical piece of localization in research is to understand and adhere to local formal and informal expectations. These simple but important elements of localization hold true for all the above examples.

Localization or promoting stakeholder engagement did not come without challenges. It is hard to balance the focus of the research to address the learning needs of both sides: the client (who pays for the evaluation) and the local partners. Localization can also mean more time-consuming consultative and participatory processes that can extend the length of the assignments. Maintaining independence was also a constant challenge in doing an evaluation with active engagement from local stakeholders.

Enhancing local stakeholder engagement has never been an easy road, but it provided us with powerful and valuable lessons, and certainly, is a worthwhile journey toward promoting evidence use and sustainable development results.
Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this AEA365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the AEA365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an AEA365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to AEA365@eval.org. AEA365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. The views and opinions expressed on the AEA365 blog are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the American Evaluation Association, and/or any/all contributors to this site.e.

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Locally-led MEL Week: Localization in Research and Evaluation: a Challenging but Worthwhile Journey to Sustainable Development by Phuong Pham

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Hi, I'm Phuong Pham. In my current role as Research Director for the USAID Learns activity, I lead a team providing research services to USAID/Vietnam and its implementing partners. We try to ensure that our values around engaging local stakeholders in evidence generation and use, and prioritizing local voices in our work spread to our research efforts.

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Diaspora’s role is critical in boosting localization and creating a culture of evidence in the Middle East. Local leaders listen and learn faster from their fellow MEL experts in the US. How could a small business such as our Jabi Consulting LLC (www.jabiconsulting.com) that aims to mobilize diaspora in the US to help transfer knowledge and best practice in the field of MEL to local communities in MENA region support USAID's vision in making localization in MENA works?

What resources we could tap into to achieve this goal? Hisham Jabi at Jabi Consulting

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EnCompass' Senegal Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Activity in Senegal (USAID/Senegal) is doing exciting research about localization!

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EnCompass' Senegal Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Activity in Senegal (USAID/Senegal) is doing exciting research about localization!

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1. The Senegal MEL Platform conducted a Localization Landscape Analysis for USAID/Senegal in the first 6 months of activity implementation, which will be available via the DEC upon USAID approval.
2. Within Year 1, the Senegal MEL Platform conducted a Landscape Analysis focused on MEL service providers. The study is part of a larger initiative that will include capacity strengthening activities and opportunities for collaboration. This will be available via the DEC upon USAID approval.
Contact astek@encompassworld.com for more information.

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U.S. Agency for International Development

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The Local Capacity Strengthening Policy guides USAID decisions about why and how to invest in the capacity of local partners to better achieve inclusive and locally led development.

What is Local Capacity Strengthening?

Local capacity strengthening is the process of partnering with local actors - individuals, organizations, and networks - to jointly improve the performance of a local system to produce locally valued and sustainable development outcomes.

Why is there a Local Capacity Strengthening Policy?

Local Capacity Strengthening has long been a core component of USAID's approach, however, until now there has been no unifying and authoritative policy. This policy is an opportunity for the Agency to reexamine its capacity strengthening practices to be a more effective and equitable partner.

What is different about the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy?

At its core, the LCS Policy is a mindset and culture shift towards embracing capacity strengthening that supports local actors' ability to deliver and sustain development results - rather than focusing on local actors' capacity to qualify for and manage awards.

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Local Capacity Strengthening Policy | Basic Page | U.S. Agency for International Development

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The Local Capacity Strengthening Policy guides USAID decisions about why and how to invest in the capacity of local partners to better achieve inclusive and locally led development. What is Local Capacity Strengthening? Local capacity strengthening is the process of partnering with local actors - individuals, organizations, and networks - to jointly improve the performance of a local system to produce locally valued and sustainable development outcomes.

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Visit ReLAC site to know what we are doing, and get involved with Latin America and the Caribbean evaluation community. 

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Visit ReLAC site to know what we are doing, and get involved with Latin America and the Caribbean evaluation community. 

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Reunion ReLAC - PNUD para coordinar acciones conjuntas para el fortalecimiento del M&E en la región.

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Do you already know the Latin America and the Caribbean Evaluation Standards? This is our regional guide to do evaluations with high quality and context adapted.  If you have any question, you can contact us in: coordinacion.general@relac.net 

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Do you already know the Latin America and the Caribbean Evaluation Standards? This is our regional guide to do evaluations with high quality and context adapted.  If you have any question, you can contact us in: coordinacion.general@relac.net 

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EnCompass' USAID/Ukraine Monitoring and Learning Support Contract (UMLS) partners with a small Ukrainian videography firm for global outreach.

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EnCompass' USAID/Ukraine Monitoring and Learning Support Contract (UMLS) partners with a small Ukrainian videography firm for global outreach.

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Take a look at a video recently tweeted by Adm. Samantha Power (https://twitter.com/PowerUSAID/status/1638182188771573760). Contact us if you want to learn more about integrating locally led communications and media into your MEL work. Astek@encompassworld.com

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Ukraine Emerges from Winter: Thanks to the dedication and bravery of heroic women like Olena Popko, Ukraine continues to bring heat to Ukranians. #StandWithUkraine

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Ukraine Emerges from Winter: Thanks to the dedication and bravery of heroic women like Olena Popko, Ukraine continues to bring heat to Ukranians. #StandWithUkraine https://t.co/xa3slXVtiR

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Ukraine Emerges from Winter: Thanks to the dedication and bravery of heroic women like Olena Popko, Ukraine continues to bring heat to Ukranians. #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/xa3slXVtiR
— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) March 21, 2023

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Ukraine Emerges from Winter: Thanks to the dedication and bravery of heroic women like Olena Popko, Ukraine continues to bring heat to Ukranians. #StandWithUkraine https://t.co/xa3slXVtiR

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Ukraine Emerges from Winter: Thanks to the dedication and bravery of heroic women like Olena Popko, Ukraine continues to bring heat to Ukranians. #StandWithUkraine https://t.co/xa3slXVtiR

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Ukraine Emerges from Winter: Thanks to the dedication and bravery of heroic women like Olena Popko, Ukraine continues to bring heat to Ukranians. #StandWithUkraine

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EnCompass' USAID/Lebanon MEL Contract (MEPL) partners with the Lebanese Evaluation Association (LebEval) to advance localization of MEL. 

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EnCompass' USAID/Lebanon MEL Contract (MEPL) partners with the Lebanese Evaluation Association (LebEval) to advance localization of MEL. 

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Through this collaboration, MEPL and LebEval are contributing to enhancement of Lebanon’s MEL capacities by co-planning and delivering customized capacity strengthening interventions. Reach out to us to hear more about partnering with local evaluation associations to advance localization in MEL! Contact astek@encompassworld.com

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LebEval is a social and apolitical association established in 2014 by a group of evaluation professionals working across national and international agencies dedicated to improving the science and practice of evaluation in Lebanon.

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EnCompass' USAID/Peru Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for Sustainability (MELS) is committed to 100% local subcontracting during implementation. 

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EnCompass' USAID/Peru Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for Sustainability (MELS) is committed to 100% local subcontracting during implementation. 

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1) We are leading evaluations and other studies with Peruvian firms and regional consultants, moving beyond the tired models of expat-led evaluations and only contracting local firms for the data collection component.
2) MELS' LINK mechanism established a pool of 5 qualified Peruvian firms in 2021, speeding the process of contracting with local entities without sacrificing compliance to USAID procurement rules.
Contact zstout@encompassworld.com

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To what extend do MEL Platform staff and partners publish their work? Where do they publish?

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Equity, opportunities and capacity building  for  Independent International Consultants from the Global South

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Equity, opportunities and capacity building  for  Independent International Consultants from the Global South

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International Development and Humanitarian Agencies from the 'global north' frequently trust and hire consultancy companies or individual international consultants from countries in the global north for programmes and policies developed and implemented in the 'global south.' Once contracted, the consultants from the global north sub-contract or employ 'international evaluation experts' from the global south to do the work and only pay the 'experts' negligible fees. What measures can USAID and other agencies headquartered in the global north put in place to ensure preferential treatment for qualified, reputable international consultants based in the global South when they submit competitive bids for evaluation of programmes in the global south. How can a transition from 'a culture of preference to hire consultants' from the global north to evaluate policies/ programmes in the global south even where equally competitive bids (or even more competitive bids) will have been submitted by evaluators based in the global south be orchestrated?

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What is localization in MEAL means specially where the international office MEAL leads give direction, develop formats e.t.c? since all the guidance's comes from the donor country office's?

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What is localization in MEAL means specially where the international office MEAL leads give direction, develop formats e.t.c? since all the guidance's comes from the donor country office's?

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The proven Community-Led Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and CoLMEAL Approach and methodology provides tools, guidance and capacity building for wide-range of actors  from donors, project design teams, project implementation teams to in-community facilitators and community members to enable and stimulate community-led MEAL processes guiding communities towards their vision. Learn more and access resources on: 

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The proven Community-Led Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and CoLMEAL Approach and methodology provides tools, guidance and capacity building for wide-range of actors  from donors, project design teams, project implementation teams to in-community facilitators and community members to enable and stimulate community-led MEAL processes guiding communities towards their vision. Learn more and access resources on: 

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Is USAID mainly focusing on who undertakes evaluations when talking about localisation, or are you also looking at localising and decolonising methodologies, to bring out the local or community voice in a stronger way in our MEL work?

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How does USAID view efforts to decolonise our methodologies on MEL, to value more indigenous ways of knowing, non-written and non-counted ways of measuring change, and   listening to what communities we work with think is important to measure?

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Evolution of USAID MEL philosophy and approaches

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Evolution of USAID MEL philosophy and approaches

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Having been part of an MEL team nearly three decades ago and currently in higher education, I am wondering how the USAID MEL philosophy and approaches evolved over the decades and in which direction are they are headed?

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Empowerment evaluation (helping community members conduct evaluations of their own programs with the assistance of local evaluators). Empowerment Evaluation and Social Justice (Fetterman) is the most recent empowerment evaluation book with direct relevance to localization and monitoring.

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Empowerment evaluation (helping community members conduct evaluations of their own programs with the assistance of local evaluators). Empowerment Evaluation and Social Justice (Fetterman) is the most recent empowerment evaluation book with direct relevance to localization and monitoring.

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In addition, we have free readings of passages on YouTube:  The first reading is at:  https://youtu.be/9OHqTNdx4dk

This is the first reading of a series of 6 from my new book Empowerment Evaluation and Social Justice (Guilford Press) by Dr. David Fetterman. This reading is a passage from the Preface. It highlights why this book is needed. It begins: "We face a worldwide crisis at this time in history. COVID, economic instability, global warming, political polarization, gender inequality, racial inequality, LGBTQ+. discrimination, anti-Asian and antisemitic attacks, and an ever-expanding list of critical concerns require our immediate attention. We can't wait for the government or industry to save us. We must learn to help ourselves and help others help themselves."

The book is available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Empowerment.../dp/1462551955

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What Mission-level efforts will be in place to help local partners to navigate how to work with USAID? Many times, local partners don’t use those online platforms where USAID/W provides majority of its resources and guidance (such as WorkingWithUSAID) and they don’t know how to get in-country coaching and support to navigate and learn about USAID business forecast, bid system and process. Would events/business development training be organized in-country and in-person/hybrid for local partners via MEL or Localization mechanisms?

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This is a blog we recently wrote about decolonising evaluations:
Decolonising evaluation: whose value counts? - Christian Aid

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Decolonising evaluation: whose value counts? - Christian Aid

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How we at Christian Aid are decolonising our evaluation practice.

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How can youth be involved in the Monitoring and Evaluation lacalisation program in developing countries?

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How can youth be involved in the Monitoring and Evaluation lacalisation program in developing countries?