By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles and benefits of participatory monitoring and evaluation
• Identify and engage stakeholders in the M&E effectively
• Apply Participatory M&E approaches in managing projects/programmes
• Develop participatory M&E frameworks and indicators
• Apply various participatory data collection and analysis methods
• Report and communicate findings effectively to all stakeholders
• Use feedback for adaptive management and continuous learning

Introduction to Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E)

• Overview of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
• M&E in the context of Participatory Development
• Definition and Importance of Participatory M&E
• Differences between Traditional and Participatory M&E
• Principles and Benefits of Participatory M&E
• Challenges and solutions in PM&E

Theoretical Frameworks and Models

• Theoretical foundations of PM&E
• Logical Framework Approach (LogFrame)
• Theory of Change
• Results-Based Management

Stakeholder Engagement and Participation

• Identifying and mapping stakeholders
• Methods for engaging stakeholders
• Participatory tools and techniques
• Managing power dynamics and ensuring inclusivity

Steps in Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation

• Understanding goal and objectives of the project/programme
• Identifying activities to achieve objectives
• Identifying performance indicators
• Identifying methods and techniques of data collection
• Determining reporting formats and feedback mechanisms

Data Collection Methods

• Qualitative vs Quantitative data
• Participatory data collection methods
• Tools for data collection
• Ethical considerations in data collection

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Participatory data analysis
• Data visualization and interpretation
• Data quality assurance

Reporting and Communicating Results

• Principles of effective reporting
• Writing participatory M&E reports
• Visual tools for presenting data
• Communicating findings to stakeholders

Learning and Adaptation

• Learning from M&E results
• Adaptive management and feedback loops
• Building a learning organization

This course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including the following:

• Development practitioners
• Project managers and officers
• Monitoring and evaluation officers
• Community leaders
• NGOs and nonprofit organizations

The Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Training Course is delivered by our seasoned trainers who have vast experience as expert professionals in their respective fields of practice. The course employs a mix of methodologies including presentations, group exercises, case studies, and much more. Group work is an essential component of the course. The course is designed to be primarily workshop-based, in which participants can work through tasks and problems that mimic their daily activities. Instructors are there to facilitate the group work, addressing real-world concerns. 

At Virgon Africa, we believe in experiential learning. We value active participation in our courses through sharing experiences, ideas and practices.