You did an excellent job of bringing us all around to a shared understanding of M&E and a clear picture of what we need to do next. Comments from staff and in the management team meeting were all very positive.
Client feedback from an M&E workshop faciliated by INTRAC consultants

Monitoring and evaluation

The importance of effective M&E in development

Since INTRAC was set up we have recognised the importance of effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in civil society. If civil society is to remain a key player in the rapidly changing development field, then it is essential we are able to show we are making a difference in the lives of the poor.

INTRAC continues to explore the most comprehensive monitoring and evaluation methodologies and tools.

We run several open training courses each year on M&E – ranging from introduction to M&E, to impact assessment.

We also provide consultancy support to a wide range of organisations, helping them to develop their own M&E systems. Participatory evaluations are also included in our portfolio – from international multi-country organisational evaluations to small project evaluations and organisational assessments.

Over the years we have hosted large international conferences and written numerous books and papers on M&E. All our papers on M&E can be downloaded for free from our resources database.

Recent M&E events

INTRAC Monitoring and Evaluation Conference

Monitoring and evaluation: new developments and challenges
14-16 June 2011 / The Netherlands

Read the conference report. 

Recent M&E papers

Impact Assessment: Understanding and assessing our contributions to change

This paper aims to provide clarity on what impact assessments are, and how they differ from and complement processes of M&E. It is written for staff and development practitioners working with or for international NGOs or other complex organisations. It considers some of the key challenges and practical difficulties in carrying out impact assessments; and offers some good practice guidelines.  

Monitoring and Evaluating Learning Networks

This short paper gives some pragmatic ideas about what aspects of learning networks we need to assess, and how this M&E can be done in relatively simple and cost-effective ways. With considered planning and sensible methods, generating useful information about the impact of a learning network is possible, certainly good enough data to indicate a positive contribution to development. 

Monitoring and Evaluating Capacity Building: Is it really that difficult?

Whilst few doubt the importance of capacity building, and the need for effective M&E to support this work, the M&E of capacity building is as much a challenge now as it was two decades ago. This paper examines both theory and current practice, and aims to promote debate on some of the key barriers to progress. 

Tracking Progress in Advocacy - Why and How to Monitor and Evaluate Advocacy Projects and Programmes

This paper introduces the scope of, and rational for, engaging in advocacy work as part of development interventions, then focuses on the monitoring and evaluating of these efforts – offering reasons why and when these processes should be planned and implemented, what’s involved, and who should be engaged in the process.

Developing M&E Systems for Complex Organisations: A Methodology

There is a growing range of resources covering M&E, but little guidance for those wishing to design M&E systems. This paper attempts to redress this imbalance by outlining a methodology that can be used to design an M&E system for a complex organisation. 

Monitoring Flexible Funding: Navigating the challenges 

This paper examines the debate that has emerged around the problems encountered in funding flexibly whilst trying to meet the demands for more results-based grant management (often from governments). 

Dealing with the Dilemmas in Monitoring and Evaluating Capacity Building

This paper highlights seven big questions that create dilemmas for and can often paralyse monitoring and evaluating of capacity building. 

The Challenges of Monitoring and Evaluating Programmes

This paper attempts to present some clarity in understanding the different uses of the term ‘programme’, and then uses the different types of programme to demonstrate the issues that arise for monitoring and evaluation (M&E).