Abstract
Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) have become essential elements that cannot be disregarded in the success of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Traditional approaches to monitoring and evaluation focus on accountability and reporting. The method involves tracking outputs and outcomes against predetermined indicators and reporting them under donor requirements. The collected data are often used to confirm to donors and stakeholders that their investments and interventions have succeeded. This study explores the importance of monitoring and evaluation in South African non-governmental organisations. It emphasises the need for organisations to integrate a learning component into their monitoring and evaluation practices and systems. Learning-integrated monitoring and evaluation focuses on continuous learning, improvement, and adaptation. It involves collecting and analysing data throughout the programme/project planning and implementation processes to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. The data informs decision-making and improves the intervention’s effectiveness in achieving its goals. A shift from traditional monitoring and evaluation to learning-integrated monitoring and evaluation is indicated. This shift acknowledges that programme/project implementation is often unpredictable; therefore, it acknowledges specific processes and activities that succeed or fail. A learning-integrated approach to monitoring and evaluation usually thrives in organisations embracing organisational learning and collaborative effort. These organisations aim to dismantle the top-down information-sharing approach and often assume a participatory approach to decision-making. They value feedback on improvement and sustainability. This study further clarifies why organisations are shifting from solely conducting monitoring and evaluation to observing it as monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL); monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL); monitoring evaluation research, and learning (MERL); and planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (PMEL). Learning-integrated monitoring and evaluation provides a more comprehensive and integrated approach. This approach allows organisations to understand their programmes better and permits informed decisions based on evidence while sharing collaborative efforts.
Keywords: monitoring and evaluation; non-governmental organisations; integrating learning