Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Course

Introduction

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) are essential tools for assessing the effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability of development projects and programs. Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) goes a step further by actively involving stakeholders—especially communities and beneficiaries—in the entire M&E process. This inclusive approach promotes ownership, accountability, learning, and better development outcomes.

This course is designed to provide participants with both the theoretical foundations and practical skills needed to design and implement participatory M&E systems that are inclusive, transparent, and results-oriented. It emphasizes collaboration, shared learning, and the use of participatory tools to ensure that voices from all levels—particularly those directly affected by interventions—are heard and valued.

This course introduces participants to the core principles, methodologies, and practical tools used in participatory monitoring and evaluation. You will explore how PM&E can lead to deeper stakeholder engagement, more relevant findings, improved project design, and increased sustainability of outcomes.

Participants will engage in real-world case studies, simulations, and collaborative exercises that simulate the challenges and opportunities of working with communities, partners, and funders in real-time. Emphasis will be placed on power dynamics, inclusive facilitation, and ensuring marginalized voices are heard in the evaluation process.

Whether you are working in NGOs, government, donor agencies, academia, or grassroots organizations, this course will equip you with the skills and mindset needed to make monitoring and evaluation a more democratic, learning-focused, and impactful process.

By the end of the course, you will not only understand how to implement PM&E frameworks—you will also be able to lead inclusive evaluation processes that promote mutual learning, foster empowerment, and drive meaningful change.

Course Objectives

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

·       Develop M&E plans that incorporate participatory methods at every stage of the project cycle.

·       Identify appropriate indicators that reflect the priorities and perspectives of diverse stakeholders, including marginalized groups.

·       Explain the key differences between conventional and participatory approaches to monitoring and evaluation.

·       Describe the values and principles that underpin participatory M&E, including inclusiveness, empowerment, and shared learning.

·       Apply strategies to meaningfully engage beneficiaries, community members, and other stakeholders in the M&E process.

·       Build trust and manage power dynamics in multi-stakeholder environments.

·       Use qualitative and quantitative tools such as focus group discussions, community mapping, outcome harvesting, and participatory rural appraisal (PRA).

·       Adapt tools for different contexts and participant groups, ensuring accessibility and relevance.

·       Facilitate group data analysis and reflection sessions that promote shared learning.

·       Support communities and organizations in using M&E findings to inform decisions and improve programs.

Duration

5 Days

Who Should Attend

·       Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officers seeking to make their M&E practices more participatory and stakeholder-driven.

·       Project and Program Managers responsible for planning, implementation, and impact assessment of development initiatives.

·       Field Staff and Community Facilitators working directly with communities and looking to enhance engagement and local ownership.

·       NGO and Civil Society Organization Staff involved in participatory planning, learning, and accountability processes.

·       Donor and Government Agency Representatives interested in promoting adaptive management, transparency, and inclusive evaluation practices.

·       Researchers and Academics exploring participatory methods and community-based research approaches.

·       Development Consultants and Trainers looking to incorporate participatory M&E into their tools and methodologies.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation

• What is M&E? Why is it important?
• Traditional vs. participatory approaches
• The role of M&E in the project cycle
• Limitations of conventional M&E systems

Module 2: Principles and Concepts of PM&E

• Core values: inclusion, empowerment, ownership
• Understanding power dynamics and stakeholder relationships
• Levels of participation (informing to co-deciding)
• Benefits and challenges of PM&E

Module 3: Stakeholder Identification and Engagement

• Mapping stakeholders and their interests
• Tools for engagement: stakeholder analysis, influence/interest grids
• Building trust and participation across diverse groups
• Engaging marginalized and underrepresented voices

Module 4: Designing a Participatory M&E Framework

• Developing participatory M&E plans
• Linking PM&E to project logframes, Theories of Change, and results frameworks
• Co-creating indicators and success criteria with communities
• Setting up feedback mechanisms

Module 5: Participatory Tools and Techniques

• Overview of participatory methods
• Tools: Focus Group Discussions, community scorecards, outcome harvesting, Most Significant Change (MSC), participatory rural appraisal (PRA), mapping, timelines
• Choosing appropriate tools based on context and participants

Module 6: Participatory Data Collection and Analysis

• Facilitating inclusive data collection activities
• Ethical considerations in participatory processes
• Joint analysis and community reflection methods
• Documenting and validating findings

Module 7: Using PM&E for Learning and Adaptive Management

• Making data useful and actionable
• Strengthening learning loops in programs
• Adaptive management: responding to findings in real-time
• Community-led action planning

Module 8: Integrating PM&E into Organizational Systems

• Aligning PM&E with donor and organizational requirements
• Building internal capacity for participatory approaches
• Creating a culture of participation, learning, and accountability
• Overcoming institutional resistance

Module 9: Case Studies and Real-World Applications

• Global case studies of PM&E in practice
• Sector-specific examples (e.g., health, agriculture, education)
• Lessons learned and best practices

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment: 

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.

Online/ On-site (Nairobi, Kenya) Training Schedule