MEAL tools and resources

There are a host of websites for monitoring and evaluation practice and learning, with a variety of resources such as virtual libraries, toolkits, blogs, email lists, communities of practice, and e-learning opportunities such as webinars and webcasts.

Bond has developed a number of monitoring, evaluation, assessment and learning (MEAL) resources, which you can find more about here. We also run training courses: check out Introduction to MEAL, Planning and practice in MEAL and Tools and methods for MEAL. Bond members can also join our MEAL Group to share learning and discuss challenges with colleagues in the sector.

The following are external websites or organisations that offer useful MEAL tools for NGOs.

• 3ie Initiative for Impact Evaluation. 3ie funds and produces evidence of what works, how, why and at what cost in international development. Their website includes a database of policy briefs, systematic reviews, evidence gap maps and impact evaluations.
• ALNAP. The Active Learning Network for Accountability and performance in Humanitarian Action offers a variety of resources supporting evaluation in humanitarian contexts, such as its Evaluation of Humanitarian Action guide in three languages, and its e-learning course, Introduction to Evaluating Humanitarian Action, in partnership with UNICEF, EvalPartners and UNEG.
• Better Evaluation. Better Evaluation is provided by an international collaboration to improve evaluation practice and theory by sharing and generating information about options (methods or processes) and approaches. It is chockfull of information and resources and links for MEAL.
• CLEAR. This website for Regional Centers for Learning on Evaluation and Results is part of the CLEAR global team’s effort to improve policy through strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems and capacities. The Knowledge Hub has publications, events, videos, and resources for capacity development, specific to regions of the world, e.g. Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.
• EvalPartners. This global partnership seeks to enhance the capacities of civil society organisations (CSOs) to effectively engage in evaluation, with a specific focus on strengthening the institutional capacity of Voluntary Organizations of Professional Evaluators (VOPEs). Check out their Virtual Library of resources.
• IIED. Based in London, a group of International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) researchers and evaluators have explored how methodological innovations and time-tested approaches may contribute to better evidence for sustainable development. This includes seven case studies of methodological approaches that can generate better evidence.
• InterAction. Based in Washington D.C., this is an alliance of over 190 NGO members from around the world. InterAction offers several training materials for humanitarian and development professionals. These materials are created with input from professionals in the community – often through working groups – and come in different formats, including some e-learning courses. As new training materials are developed, they will be added to this page. It offers useful M&E resources, such as a link to Training that includes a four-part series developed with the Rockefeller Foundation with guidance notes on impact evaluation, each accompanied by two webinars related to the notes’ contents.
• MEASURE Evaluation. A collaboration between USAID and university and private partners, this online resource provides a host of materials for MEAL learning, including trainer resources, online courses, a webinar series, publications, tools, and much more.
• Monitoring and Evaluation News. Managed by Rick Davies and launched in 1997, this remains a mainstay for monitoring and evaluation learning, resources, sharing and networking.
• Save the Children – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning. Save the Children has collaborated with the Open University in the United Kingdom to produce this course. This course introduces the main MEAL concepts and practices. It has been developed for a variety of programme staff, senior management team members and thematic staff within Save the Children, recognising that learners will have different prior knowledge and focus areas.
• The Evaluation Toolbox. An online resource from Swinburne University of Technology and Australian public partners, it is a “one-stop-site” for community sustainability engagement, with an assortment of resources (eg guidelines, tools, templates, and case studies) for community projects that aim to change household behaviours.
• tools4dev provides templates, reviews and how-to guides for international development professionals and aid workers.
• UNICEF Knowledge Exchange Toolbox. The toolkit is ideal for anyone who needs to make effective decisions, facilitate or guide effective decision-making processes, or manage or coordinate group work in development that requires the knowledge of multiple persons to succeed. It can use used to support learning in the monitoring and evaluation process.
• USAID’s Learning Lab. Provided by the United States Agency for International Development, this online resource has links to MEAL resources, such as a Learning Library, which provides a growing collection of resources for guidance on specific learning approaches.