One of the African Grantmakers Network’s key objectives is to build resilient African philanthropic institutions through a focus on setting standards of governance and accountability, in order to provide credibility to changes and related philanthropy outcomes on the continent. Identifying the value of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for philanthropy agencies and foundations is a pre-requisite for effective programme implementation.

The AGN, together with the Independent Development Fund (IDF) and the East African Association of Grantmakers, co-convened a two-day peer learning event for member organizations in March in Kampala, Uganda. The sessions were led by the Kenya Community Development Foundation, Zambia Governance Foundation, the Southern Africa Trust and the Independent Development Fund. Speakers shared practical approaches to M&E, their experiences, successes and challenges, and outlined how organizations can effectively replicate these lessons within their own governance and accountability contexts.

The discussion explored the value of M&E; how it informs appropriate action and responsiveness to challenges faced by philanthropy organizations; opportunities for assessment of programme performance, changes, and frameworks for supporting institutional theories of change; and what practical approaches exist to allow these intersections.

For more information
http://www.africangrantmakersnetwork.org