SAREP seeks to catalyse change in a highly complex, multi-jurisdictional, multistakeholder regional environment, with an evolving set of challenges, actors, and opportunities. To foster change, SAREP has taken a collaborative approach to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL). Monitoring does not limit to data collection and reporting. Rather, it integrates complexity-aware M&E and operations research (OR)—including qualitative research inquiry—to answer key learning questions with USAID’s CLA best practices to create rapid feedback loops for learning and evidence-based decision making.
Quantitative and qualitative data collected by SAREP will allow to:
- Monitor and report on implementation progress against clearly defined indicators and targets
- Provide data and analysis support to SAREP’s adaptive management, upon which evidence-based refinements and revisions to the technical approach and implementation management decisions can be made
- Promote transparency and accountability on the project to the South Asia regional governments, USAID, other stakeholders, and beneficiaries at all levels of the system
- Integrate MEL processes and practices into broader Asia EDGE programming through SAREP management of the Hub.
SAREP’s MEL approach further strengthens complexity-aware project monitoring in two ways: first, by filling gaps in evidence through operations and qualitative research, when appropriate; and second, by incorporating USAID’s CLA framework. This has allowed SAREP to develop capacities for coordination, reflection, research, analysis, dialogue, and adaptation required to ensure that the team is continually learning from what programmatically works, what does not, and why, and modify SAREP’s activities accordingly to improve performance and achieve SAREP’s goals and objectives.