Approach, Processes and Methods: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) support to the Table Mountain Water Source Areas Partnership project

The document details a real-time, adaptive MEL approach for the Table Mountain Water Source Areas Partnership project. It emphasizes 'double-loop' learning to allow for the adjustment of project goals and the Theory of Change as implementation unfolds. The framework integrates a 'spine map' to track the project's actual process, facilitated learning spaces for stakeholders, and collaborative documentation to reduce reporting duplication. The project aims to establish effective joint management systems for groundwater by 2022, utilizing citizen science and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

• The project employs a Real Time Evaluation (RTE) approach to provide continuous feedback and course correction during implementation, addressing single-loop (accountability), double-loop (adapting assumptions), and triple-loop (reviewing decision-making evidence) learning.
• The MEL strategy prioritizes 'double-loop' or adaptive learning, which uses monitoring outcomes to reflect on and potentially modify project goals and objectives to better respond to ground-level realities.
• A 'spine map' will be developed as a living diagram of the project-in-action to map interconnected processes, role-players, and actual timelines, serving as a baseline to test the project's Theory of Change.
• The project's overarching goal is to establish effective joint management systems for the sustainable use and management of groundwater in the Table Mountain Strategic Water Source Area (TM-SWSA) by 2022.
• The MEL framework is designed to align with the requirements of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Danida), WWF's strategic review, and the existing approaches of project implementers.
• Several risks to effective MEL have been identified, including a short project timeframe for complex governance processes, the use of multiple outsourced institutions without a history of collaboration, and potential lack of MEL readiness among key role-players.

APA

Wilson, J., Soal, S., & Burt, J. (2021). Approach, Processes and Methods: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) support to the Table Mountain Water Source Areas Partnership project. WWF South Africa. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/8_annexure_8__appendix_a_mel_approach_processes_and_methods.pdf

Chicago

Wilson, Jessica, Sue Soal, and Jane Burt. Approach, Processes and Methods: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) support to the Table Mountain Water Source Areas Partnership project. WWF South Africa, 2021. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/8_annexure_8__appendix_a_mel_approach_processes_and_methods.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wilson |first1=Jessica |last2=Soal |first2=Sue |last3=Burt |first3=Jane |title=Approach, Processes and Methods: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) support to the Table Mountain Water Source Areas Partnership project |publisher=WWF South Africa |date=4 May 2021 |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/8_annexure_8__appendix_a_mel_approach_processes_and_methods.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wilson2021approach, author = {Wilson, Jessica and Soal, Sue and Burt, Jane}, title = {{Approach, Processes and Methods: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) support to the Table Mountain Water Source Areas Partnership project}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2021}, month = may, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/8_annexure_8__appendix_a_mel_approach_processes_and_methods.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }