On the 22 July 2020 at 14.00-15.00 (CEST-Geneva), the first Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) Europe | Asia | Pacific (EAP) webinar brought together 103 participants from more than 35 countries to discuss Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) practices during COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar was organised by NORRAG and facilitated by FHI 360, a strategic partner of the KIX EAP hub.
Please find the Webinar slides here and the recorded webinar below:
COVID-19 emerged as a primary concern among all the participants of the KIX EAP launch, and this webinar responded to countries’ demand with a specific focus on MEL practices. FHI 360 specialists, Yvonne Cao and Brian Dooley facilitated a discussion on:
- Guiding Questions for Adapting MEL Plans
- Technology Options for Data Collection (including apps, software and communication tools for remote M&E)
- Best Practices for Remote Data Collection
Participants engaged in the discussion and contributed to a lively and insightful learning session on the following themes:
- The ongoing pandemic is an opportunity for learning and for analysing why some interventions are more successful than others and how different sub-populations have been affected.
- A critical condition to know your target audience is to select the appropriate data collection tool. The ‘technology decision tree’ can support policymakers in choosing the right technology for MEL data collection (in-person, remote by text or remote by voice). Each option must be analysed, considering the respective cost implication.
- Scenario planning is reiterated as a crucial tool to respond to the need for planning for uncertainty and to adapt to specific drivers of change.
- Low response rate can be mitigated by considering the use of multiple data collection channels, the inclusion of monetary or in-kind incentives and the involvement of stakeholders associated with higher response rates.
- Internet access continues to be a challenge, especially in rural areas.
- All data collection procedures must ensure compliance with ethical standards, namely in terms of participants informed consent.
The KIX EAP Hub will be announcing shortly the upcoming series of webinars which will respond to countries specific demand. Please check our website for regular updates.
Additional Resources
- Blog post ‘How to pick the right survey tool for your COVID-19 context’
- Blog post ‘How should we adapt MEL plans during COVID-19?’
- Blog post ‘Best practices for conducting phone surveys’
- Blog post ‘Mobile phone surveys for understanding COVID-19 impacts: Sampling and Mode’
- Blog post ‘Impact evaluations in the time of COVID-19’
