Nepal Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Activity’s Quarterly Performance Report for April – June 2019

Agency for International Development (USAID)/Nepal's Development Objectives by increasing the Mission's learning through more rigorous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of development activities. The MEL Activity has three components, which are designed to enhance the Mission's M&E capacity, conduct evaluations and analyses, and support improved knowledge management within the Mission. Component 1: Support Greater Rigor and Coherence in USAID/Nepal's M&E Efforts focuses on providing technical assistance to the Mission's performance management plan (PMP) and project- and activity-level MEL plans. This component also aims to strengthen the capacity of USAID/Nepal staff to conduct M&E tasks and use data more effectively to inform decision making. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen the performance monitoring capacity of USAID/Nepal's implementing partners (IPs). Component 2: Design and Conduct Analyses, Evaluations, Surveys, Studies, and Assessments involves conducting performance and impact evaluations, as well as surveys, studies, assessments, and analyses. This component is designed to provide the Mission with evidence-based information to inform its decision making and program implementation. Component 3: Support Improved Knowledge Management within the Mission focuses on assisting the Mission to improve its knowledge management (KM) and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) practices. This includes the use of AIDTracker Plus (AT+) and other USAID performance monitoring and KM systems. During the April-June 2019 quarter, the MEL Activity made significant progress in achieving its objectives. In Component 1, the Activity provided technical assistance to the Mission's PMP and MEL plans, and strengthened the capacity of USAID/Nepal staff to conduct M&E tasks. The Activity also conducted assessments of IPs' M&E processes and capacities, and developed a M&E training syllabus and course modules. In Component 2, the Activity conducted several evaluations and analyses, including the Hariyo Ban II Impact Evaluation Baseline, the Baseline Study for Knowledge-Based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal II (KISAN II), and the Mid-Term Performance Evaluation of the Nepal Seed and Fertilizer Activity. The Activity also conducted surveys and studies, including the Early Grade Reading Program 2019 Mid-term Performance Evaluation and the Integrated Governance Project End Line Survey (2019). In Component 3, the Activity facilitated learning summits, communities of practice, and joint program reflection and planning workshops. The Activity also provided technical assistance to IPs on CLA case submission and published a briefer on GESI summit. Overall, the MEL Activity has made significant progress in achieving its objectives and providing the Mission with evidence-based information to inform its decision making and program implementation.