From March 10 to 12, 2022, within the framework of the “Ray of Light” Initiative, implemented by the NGO “Gender and Development” and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a three-day training on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is being conducted with the participation of representatives from civil society organizations working with women living with HIV, women with disabilities, and women with low income. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of organizations from the cities of Isfara, Kulob, Khujand, and the districts of B. Gafurov, Vose, Bokhtar, Yavan, and Sh. Shohin.
The “Ray of Light” Initiative serves as a link between women living with HIV (WLHIV), women with disabilities (WWD), and women with low incomes and civil society organizations to address root causes, and between civil society activists to create opportunities for learning, building partnerships, advocacy, exchanging opinions, and taking action.
The ultimate goal of the training is to promote a shared understanding and use of effective practical methods for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) among the project’s target group. The training includes both theoretical and practical components, with recommended forms, tables, and other documents for use in designing the M&E system within the project.
Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is a vital part of project management. It forms the basis for building a reliable and credible system of reporting on the results achieved during project implementation. M&E allows for critical analysis, the development of organizational knowledge, informed decision-making, and evaluation.
Project experts presented fundamental concepts of result-based project management in an accessible and engaging way. Result-based management enhances project efficiency by applying a clear, logically structured planning, control, and evaluation system focused on achieving intended outcomes. During project implementation, it is essential to have a system that helps ensure planned activities are carried out, and that problems are identified and addressed as they arise. The M&E system is an integral part of the project and begins from the moment of project design and continues through its completion.
The training program includes discussions on the following topics:
Goals, key terms, and principles of the M&E system; project management; levels of M&E (output, outcome, and impact); project evaluation; and M&E results – reporting.
By the end of the training, participants gain skills in conducting continuous observation, data collection, project analysis, and improvement using the M&E system.
