Thursday, May 15th, 2025 11:00AM Eastern
Title: Is your Organization Ready for Community-Led Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning? Use Our Innovative Tool to Find Out and Take Action!
Abstract: How can organizations shift power in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) to amplify local voices and ownership?
In this interactive workshop, two global experts in community-led MEAL will introduce participants to the Community-Led Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (CoLMEAL) Organizational Readiness Assessment Tool—a practical resource designed to help organizations evaluate their capacity and preparedness to implement CoLMEAL principles effectively.
Jakub Němec, CEO of Salanga, has lived and worked in multiple countries, applying community-led approaches both globally and within his local housing board.
Alexander Nayve Jr., based in the Philippines, brings lived experience from grassroots communities and years of expertise designing and delivering participatory evaluation systems across sectors, including education and gender-based violence.
Together, they have trained and mentored practitioners worldwide, co-creating CoLMEAL models tailored to diverse cultural and programmatic contexts. Through hands-on activities and real-world case studies, participants will assess their own organizations’ readiness for CoLMEAL, gain actionable strategies to address gaps, and develop a roadmap for fostering inclusive, equitable, and community-driven MEAL practices.
This session aligns with Sub-theme 3: Transforming the Basics to Advance Evaluation, offering practical tools and insights to support organizations in embedding CoLMEAL principles into their programs and creating sustainable, community-driven change.
Speakers: Alex Nayve, Jakub Nemec
Type: Half day workshop. 180 minutes
Language: English
Presenters- Expertise: Jakub Němec and Alexander Nayve are co-creators of the CoLMEAL framework and global leaders in community-led monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) methodologies.
Jakub brings over 20 years of experience in international development, combining technical MEAL expertise with participatory approaches that empower communities. He has delivered workshops in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, training practitioners on the practical application of CoLMEAL and designing software tools like Kinaki to streamline MEAL processes.
Alex, based in the Philippines, has over two decades of experience working with grassroots communities and international organizations. His expertise lies in designing inclusive MEAL systems that prioritize local ownership, equity, and accountability. Both presenters have co-designed and tested CoLMEAL tools in diverse contexts, supporting organizations in sectors such as education, gender-based violence, and health.
As experienced facilitators, Jakub and Alex have delivered over 200 interactive workshops/trainings for practitioners, donors, and local stakeholders. Their approach emphasizes practical tools and real-world applications, ensuring participants leave with actionable strategies for transforming their MEAL systems. Their lived experiences in global and local contexts add depth and authenticity to their teaching.
Workshop-level: Intermediate
Prerequisite-knowledge: This workshop is designed for participants with a basic understanding of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL). While no advanced technical skills are required, attendees should have a strong interest in community-led approaches and a willingness to explore how to shift power and ownership in MEAL practices to amplify local voices. No advanced technical skills are required, but familiarity with participatory methodologies will enhance the learning experience.
Learning-Objectives: Participants will: - Learn what Community-Led Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (CoLMEAL) is, what it isn’t, and its key principles and applications. - Gain skills to evaluate their organization’s capacity for implementing community-led approaches using the CoLMEAL Organizational Readiness Assessment Tool. - Develop a roadmap to foster equity, accountability, and local ownership within their organization’s MEAL processes.
Teaching-Strategies : This workshop will consist of 20% instruction and 80% active learning to maximize engagement and skill-building. Participants will: Engage in Polls and Quizzes: Explore CoLMEAL principles and applications interactively to build foundational knowledge. Apply the Tool in Practice: Use the CoLMEAL Organizational Readiness Assessment Tool in small groups, working through real-world scenarios to assess organizational capacity. Participate in Group Discussions: Reflect on experiences, share insights, and identify strategies for addressing readiness gaps. Draft Action Plans: Collaboratively develop roadmaps for integrating community-led approaches within their own organizations.