What is Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL)?
PMEL schemes engage local stakeholders in defining, tracking, and interpreting progress in food systems transformation. By carefully drafting and adapting learning questions, and selecting indicators and methods for use on the ground, a MEL plan helps to track progress and impact, and enables adaptive management and continuous co-learning.
Why do we use this method?
To ensure that indicators reflect local priorities and realities
To build ownership and agency in the learning and evaluation process
To strengthen feedback loops and adaptive capacity
To make progress visible and meaningful for different actors
To support more inclusive and effective monitoring systems
When is it useful?
When working on food systems transformation with diverse stakeholders, especially in contexts where top-down indicators miss locally relevant change processes or priorities. Particularly valuable in long-term, adaptive initiatives.
How do we do this?
Co-define learning questions and indicators with stakeholders
Select methods appropriate for local contexts and capacities
Embed evaluation in ongoing reflection and action cycles
Use mixed methods: stories of change, visuals, data, dialogue
Tailor to local decision-making processes and timelines
Examples of our work
CHEF program participatory MEL in Kenya (draft reports available but confidential - can be asked upon request and confidentiality)