Designing and supporting an integrated organisation-wide Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Framework
The challenge
Mixed migration involves complex and overlapping movements of people including refugees fleeing persecution and conflict, victims of trafficking and people seeking better lives and opportunities. In this space, accurate data and rigorous research are essential to inform effective, humane, and coordinated policy and program responses.
The Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) is a global research network working across data collection, research, analysis, and policy and program development to support this goal. Without in-house monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) expertise, MMC was struggling to clearly articulate its impact and needed a practical, organisation-wide approach to track, analyse, document, and communicate evidence of its results.
How we helped
We partnered with MMC to design a comprehensive yet practical MEL framework, which supports rigorous monitoring and evaluation and is also practical to implement. We designed the MEL framework to support both continuous improvement and external reporting. The framework goes beyond traditional indicators, offering an integrated system for data collection, analysis, and organisational learning.
A key priority was ensuring the system was accessible to staff without specialised MEL backgrounds, and applicable across different regional contexts. We embedded the framework into MMC’s existing business processes wherever possible, aiming to reduce additional workload and supporting long-term sustainability. We also provided customised templates, tools, and an annual implementation cycle.
During the initial rollout and first year of implementation, our support included live training, a recorded webinar, regular check-ins, on-demand guidance, and detailed feedback on key outputs, such as team MEL Plans, data collection tools, and team reports. We intentionally built in flexible support so regional teams could access support when they needed it most.
At the end of the first year, we helped MMC produce a public-facing impact report based on internal MEL findings. The report turns MMC’s MEL data into actionable insights and communicates its outcomes to external audiences.
Looking forward
MMC told us the new MEL framework and implementation support has been invaluable in helping them better understand and demonstrate their impact, and has also supported them to use evidence in decision-making, including in their strategy development processes. In 2025, we’re continuing to provide capacity strengthening support as they embed the framework more deeply into their work.
Client: Mixed Migration Centre
2023-2025
