Reshaping Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Locally Led Adaptation

This research paper by the World Resources Institute advocates for a systemic shift in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) to support locally led adaptation (LLA). It argues that traditional MEL must be replaced by processes that are locally led, context-aware, and adaptive to better balance power dynamics and reflect the priorities of those most affected by climate change.

• The paper argues that Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) can be used as a tool to promote local agency and ensure that adaptation investments are equitable and effective by balancing power, promoting mutual accountability, and valuing local knowledge.
• To align with the principles of locally led adaptation, the paper proposes five key considerations for the MEL cycle: responding to structural inequalities, promoting local agency in decision-making, understanding climatic and contextual complexity, prioritizing learning, and generating value for local stakeholders.
• The author recommends that funders and practitioners shift toward MEL systems that prioritize downward accountability and learning over upward accountability, and that capacity building for MEL should be driven by local demand rather than external imposition.
• The paper suggests specific operational improvements for MEL, including the creation of context-specific indicator frameworks—using adaptive capacity as a starting point—and the use of knowledge brokers to translate concepts between local and external actors.
• The document positions its recommendations as a means to implement the eight Principles for Locally Led Adaptation and the Global Commission on Adaptation's 2019 call to increase the decentralization of adaptation finance to the local level.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Reshaping Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Locally Led Adaptation. https://www.wri.org/research/reshaping-monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-locally-led-adaptation

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Reshaping Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Locally Led Adaptation. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/reshaping-monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-locally-led-adaptation.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Reshaping Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Locally Led Adaptation |url=https://www.wri.org/research/reshaping-monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-locally-led-adaptation |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendreshaping, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Reshaping Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Locally Led Adaptation}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/reshaping-monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-locally-led-adaptation}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }