Strengthening Impact: Insights from Our MEARL Framework Development Workshop

Introduction
Recently, Jumuiya Women Fund (JWF) conducted an intensive MEARL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Reporting, and Learning) Framework Development Workshop, aimed at strengthening our organizational processes and enhancing the effectiveness of our programs. This participatory workshop brought together key stakeholders, including staff members and external consultants, to collectively design a framework that ensures that JWF delivers measurable impact while maintaining transparency and accountability. This pivotal session built directly on our strategic plan, translating our objectives into actionable, measurable outcomes using the MEARL approach.

A Strategic Pivot
The MEARL framework was designed as a natural extension of our strategic planning process. During the strategic plan workshop, we laid out clear objectives and priorities for the next five years. The MEARL framework takes these objectives, articulated in the logical framework (logframe), and establishes a robust system for tracking, evaluating, and reporting on progress. This allows us to ensure that we are not only aligning our activities with our mission but also effectively measuring their impact on the communities we serve.

Workshop Objectives
The primary objective of the workshop was to establish a comprehensive MEARL framework that aligns with JWF’s strategic goals and mission of empowering women and girls. The framework is intended to:

• Improve program planning and delivery
• Ensure consistent monitoring of project outcomes
• Facilitate timely and accurate reporting to stakeholders
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement

Key Participants
The workshop included six staff members from JWF and four consultants from DOVE HR Powerhouse, a leading expert in organizational development and human resource solutions. The consultants played a pivotal role in guiding discussions and providing expertise on integrating MEARL best practices into our operational model.

Workshop Highlights

1. Participatory Approach: The workshop encouraged active involvement from all participants, ensuring that every voice was heard in the development of the framework.
2. Capacity Building: The consultants from DOVE HR Powerhouse provided valuable training on monitoring and evaluation best practices, which will enhance the skills of our staff.
3. Tailored Framework: The MEARL framework was tailored to JWF’s specific needs, considering our thematic areas of focus, including gender equality, poverty reduction, and youth engagement.
4. Log frame Integration: The MEARL framework was developed out of the logical framework (log frame) created during the strategic planning process. This ensured a clear alignment between our strategic objectives and the day-to-day monitoring of project activities.
5. Risk Register Alignment: By linking the MEARL framework with JWF’s risk register, we established a system that not only tracks outcomes but also proactively identifies and mitigates risks that could affect our programs’ success.
6.   Learning and Adaptation: One of the central themes of the workshop was fostering a culture of learning. Through this framework, JWF can continuously refine its programs based on real-time data and insights, leading to interventions that are more impactful.

Following the workshop, the MEARL framework will be implemented across all JWF projects. Regular reviews will ensure the framework’s relevance and effectiveness in guiding our work. We believe that this enhanced approach to monitoring and evaluation will lead to improved outcomes for the communities we serve.

The MEARL Framework Development Workshop marks an important milestone in Jumuiya Women Fund’s journey toward achieving greater impact. By adopting a robust framework for monitoring, evaluation, accountability, reporting, and learning, we are better equipped to address the challenges our beneficiaries face and to continue our mission of promoting feminist philanthropy and sustainable development.