Participatory monitoring and evaluation for institutional learning and change

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) implements participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) systems as a means of strengthening learning, self-reflection and facilitating institutional learning and change (ILAC) processes within Research and Development (R&D) institutions and local communities in Africa. PM&E provides a continuous process of learning and adjustment that is central to ILAC processes and that allows institutions to better engage with their partners and beneficiaries in decision making and collective learning processes throughout the project cycle. The objectives of CIAT’s work in PM&E is to develop an iterative process for supporting institutional learning and to understand the role of PM&E systems in improving project performance and the costs and benefits of PM&E to institutions. The PM&E approach can be described as an action-oriented process that leads to critical learning and corrective action by involving all levels of stakeholders, and building their capacity and commitment to reflect, analyze, and take responsibility for corrective actions.