GEF IWCAM BULLETIN
FROM THE PROJECT COORDINATION UNIT
AUGUST 2007 ISSUE NO. 5
Monitoring and Evaluation Why is M&E important to the GEF-IWCAM Project?
A strong M&E program will help to build confidence among
We often hear about monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
partners both stakeholders and beneficiaries particularly
(how important it is for projects, that M&E systems need
in terms of the reliability of information on development ef-
to be established, etc.), but do we really understand
fectiveness. This is especially relevant because many of the
what M&E is and why we use it? This issue of the Bulle-
approaches used in the GEF-IWCAM project are pioneering.
tin attempts to answer key questions related to M&E and
Determining their efficacy will help stakeholders make impor-
to help GEF-IWCAM demonstration projects and key
tant decisions regarding replication of these activities in the
stakeholders develop effective M&E systems.
future.
This is largely a synthesis of The GEF Monitoring and
Ongoing monitoring, throughout the life of the project, es-
Evaluation Policy (Evaluation Document 2006, No. 1),
sentially asks the question "Are we on track?" It provides
which can be found in its entirety on the GEF Evaluation
early information on progress (or lack thereof) toward
Office web-site at http://www.gefweb.org/
achieving the intended objectives, outcomes, and impacts.
MonitoringandEvaluation/MEAbout/meabout.html
By tracking progress, monitoring helps identify implementa-
tion issues that warrant decisions at different levels of man-
What is M&E?
agement.
Monitoring is a continuous or periodic function that uses
How does the GEF-IWCAM project approach M&E?
systematic collection of data, qualitative and quantitative, for
purposes of keeping activities on track.
The approach to monitoring which we use must be SMART:
Evaluation is a systemic and impartial assessment. It aims
Specific. The system captures the essence of the de-
at determining the relevance, impact, effectiveness, effi-
sired result by clearly and directly relating to the
ciency, and sustainability of the interventions and contribu-
achievement of an objective and only that objec-
tions of involved partners. Evaluation should provide evi-
tive.
dence-based information that is credible, reliable, and use-
Measurable. The monitoring system and indicators are
ful, enabling the timely incorporation of findings, recommen-
unambiguously specified so that all parties agree
dations, and lessons into the decision-making process.
on what they cover and there are practical ways to
measure them.
Monitoring and evaluations come together as a project man-
Achievable and Attributable. The system identifies
agement tool to ensure that projects stay on track and when
what changes are anticipated as a result of the
they veer off, helps them resume their course. It also serves
intervention and whether the results are realistic.
as an effective tool for decision-makers in terms of sharing
Attribution requires that changes in the targeted
lessons-learned and best practices.
developmental issue can be linked to the interven-
tion.
Why does the Global Environment Facility take M&E so
Relevant and Realistic. The system establishes levels
seriously?
of performance that are likely to be achieved in a
practical manner and that reflect the expectations
M&E promotes accountability through the assessment of
of stakeholders.
results, effectiveness, processes, and performance. This, in
Time-bound, Timely, Trackable, and Targeted. The
turn, helps the GEF to determine the overall benefit its ef-
forts have contributed to the global environment.
IWCAM--Promoting an integrated approach to the
M&E also promotes learning, feedback, and knowledge-
management of our watersheds and coastal
sharing on results and lessons learned, as a basis for deci-
areas!
sion-making on policies, strategies, program management,
www.iwcam.org
and projects, and to improve knowledge and performance.
(Continued on page 2)
GEF IWCAM PROJECT COORDINATION UNIT
system allows progress to be tracked in a cost-effective manner
at the desired frequency for a set period with clear identification
How can I find out more about M&E?
of the particular stakeholder group(s) to be affected by the pro-
ject or program.
There is a lot of information available on the web regarding M&E. The
Project evaluations provide important lessons learned and recom-
mendations for future projects, policies, or portfolios. The guiding
principles for the evaluation are:
Independence: The process must be independent from the policy-
making process and the management of assistance. Evaluators
should not have been engaged in activities to be evaluated
(design, implementation, or supervision).
Impartiality: Evaluators must give a comprehensive and balanced
presentation of strengths and weaknesses.
Transparency: Clear communication concerning the purpose of the
evaluation or monitoring activities, the criteria applied and the
Training, water quality testing
intended use of the findings is essential. Documentation ema-
nating from monitoring and evaluation should be easily consult-
GEF-IWCAM project has also posted links to some helpful documents
able and readable.
on the project web site at : www.iwcam.org. (Listed below also).
Disclosure: The lessons from M&E shall be disseminated by estab-
lishing effective feedback loops to policy-makers, operational
What else should I consider in order to set up M&E for my demon-
staff, beneficiaries, and the general public.
stration project or to help my country establish an M&E system?
Ethical: M&E shall provide due regard for the welfare, beliefs, and
customs of those involved or affected, avoiding conflict of inter-
Indicators! Look out for the September 2007 GEF-IWCAM Bulletin
est. Vested interests must not interfere with the evaluation.
which will feature indicators.
Partnership: Joint evaluations should take place where there are
activities being co-executed with partners. M&E activities shall
Sasha Beth Gottlieb, Technical Coordinator at the GEF-IWCAM
be carried out with the participation of in-country stakeholders to
Project Coordinating Unit, may be contacted for additional infor-
enable beneficiaries to participate in the learning process with
mation or if assistance is needed.
the GEF and to enable the GEF partnership to learn from them.
Competencies and Capacities: Depending on the subject, M&E
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Links:
activities require a range of expertise that may be technical,
environmental, or within a social science or the evaluation pro-
The GEF Evaluation Office - http://www.gefweb.org/MonitoringandEvaluation/
MEAbout/meabout.html
fession.
Credibility: M&E shall be credible and based on reliable data or
The GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policy
observations.
http://www.gefweb.org/MonitoringandEvaluation/MEAbout/documents/
Utility: M&E must serve the information needs of intended users.
Policies_and_Guidelines-me_policy-english.pdf (English)
Partners, evaluators, and units commissioning evaluations shall
endeavour to ensure that the work is well informed, relevant,
http://www.gefweb.org/MonitoringandEvaluation/MEAbout/documents/
and timely, and is clearly and concisely presented so as to be of
Policies_and_Guidelines-me_policy-spanish.pdf (Spanish)
maximum benefit to stakeholders.
http://www.gefweb.org/MonitoringandEvaluation/MEAbout/documents/
Policies_and_Guidelines-me_policy-french.pdf (French)
The United Nations Development Programme GEF Monitoring and Evalua-
tion Site - http://www.undp.org/gef/undp-gef_monitoring_evaluation/undp-
gef_monitoring_evaluation.html
The United Nations Environment Programme Evaluation and Oversight Site -
http://www.unep.org/eou/
The United Nations Population Fund: The Programme Manager's Planning,
Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkit http://www.unfpa.org/monitoring/toolkit.htm
Learning to monitor effects of land use
For more information, contact:
IWCAM Project Coordination Unit
C/O Caribbean Environmental Health Institute
The Morne, P.O. Box 1111
Castries, St. Lucia
Phone: 1 (758) 452 2501; Fax: 1 (758) 453 2721
E-mail: dspencer@cehi.org.lc
http:// www.iwcam.org