Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

The LGP MEL activities rely on the systematic collection, analysis, and reporting of quantitative and qualitative information. The MEL team will train partner staff on relevant data collection methods and provide associated feedback to component and task managers, partners, and field staff. Performance indicators will help LGP to:

• Measure progress toward targeted activity results
• Identify shortcomings in the activity interventions
• Inform decisions to adjust course and facilitate communication of the results to USAID counterparts and other stakeholders

LGP developed the MEL Plan with consideration of the following:

• Providing a tool for self-assessment: The MEL Plan will enable both LGP and USAID to collect and analyze performance information systematically for tracking progress toward LGP’s objectives and results.
• Planning early for performance management: The team developed the foundations of the MEL Plan during the technical proposal phase and through initial co-creation activities with USAID. This early MEL design helped direct data review and planning across project activities, technical offices, the donor community, and more.
• Alignment with USAID’s strategies and processes: The LGP team based the MEL Plan on key plans, policies, and guidance from USAID, and planning and regular review of results by indicator will occur on a set schedule in accordance with USAID requirements.
• Performance-informed decision-making: LGP designed the MEL Plan to inform and influence project decision-making and resource allocation.
• Transparency: To increase transparency, LGP will conduct data quality assessments and document any known limitations.
• Gender: The MEL Plan ensures the active integration of gender considerations and captures gender disparities under the Program results and impacts.
• Communication: The LGP team designed the MEL Plan and its data collection methodologies to communicate the Program results and impacts, thus advancing organizational learning and telling USAID’s story.
• Cost-Effectiveness: When selecting performance indicators, the team made efforts to streamline and minimize the data collection and reporting burden, ensuring that only data useful for decision-making is collected.
• Participation: The team designed the MEL Plan such that USAID, Cardno, implementing partners, and stakeholders play an active and collaborative role through co-creation activities, workshop sessions, and other dialogues. LGP’s implementing partners and key stakeholders will also participate in data collection and the learning and adaptation process.