In this blog we – Catherine, Zazie and Robbie – share reflections from working with Sophoi’s recent partners as we support them on the road to learning-led MEL.
Learning-led MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) is increasingly recognised by those working for systems change as a more suitable approach to MEL. Guided by principles of complexity, systems thinking and collaborative sense-making, these experiences represent a shift away from trying to identify and quantify progress and results, towards an emphasis on using evidence for learning and adaptation.
Adopting a learning-led MEL approach requires balancing learning and evaluation mindsets. But what does that look like in practice? Here, we explore five key areas where we’ve found ourselves navigating different approaches or demands, highlighting both conceptual challenges and practical responses.
- Balancing Expectations: Results vs. Change
- Navigating Different Understandings of Evidence
- Balancing Collaborative Sense-Making and Expert Analysis
- Integrating Bottom-Up Learning with Organizational-Level Insights
- Balancing Emergence and Iteration with Getting Things Done
We are sharing our experience as a contribution to the rapidly growing body of practical and conceptual knowledge about understanding and evaluating systems change initiatives. Individually and together, we are continuing to work and learn in this area and are keen to join forces with others who share our interest.
Read the full blog post here.