Implementing the BalanceD-MERL Approach in the Women + Water Global Development Alliance

Country

Global

Region

Global

Type

Technical Guidance Document

Year

2017

Implementing the BalanceD-MERL Approach in the Women + Water Global Development Alliance

Country

Global

Region

Global

Type

Technical Guidance Document

Year

2017

Abstract:

USAID engaged the BalanceD-MERL consortium (I4DI was a consortium member), henceforth known as the ‘consortium,’ to provide longitudinal MERL support to the Women + Water (W+W) Alliance in India. Following an initial review of program and partner MERL documentation, and discussions with the W+W partners, the consortium determined that the program design and MERL planning were nascent. However, because the Alliance and its management structure were complex, and the program would be multifaceted, the consortium proposed and was commissioned to deliver a MERL strategy. The MERL strategy was to be developed through a structured, participatory process involving W+W program and MERL staff, commencing with co-development of the program’s theory of change. Because Gap, Inc., the prime implementer, had not worked with USAID previously and had limited D-MERL capacity, the consortium also was commissioned to provide MERL mentorship to Gap, Inc. throughout the engagement.

Description:

The Balanced Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (BalanceD-MERL) consortium, under the U.S. Global Development Lab’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning Innovations (MERLIN) program, was testing its hypotheses through the delivery of technical assistance to USAID programs. To this end, this document describes the 15-month technical assistance provided to the Women + Water Global Development Alliance (Women + Water) and resultant learning and recommendations. Commencing in 2017, Women + Water was a five-year collaboration among USAID, Gap, Inc., CARE, the International Center for Research on Women, Water.org, and the Institute for Sustainable Communities. The goal of their collaboration is to improve and sustain the health and well-being of women and communities touched by the apparel industry.

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