About Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning

MEAL—Measuring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning—is a CRS core competency that is pivotal in the design and implementation of high-impact programs.

Catholic Relief Services’ commitment to operational and programmatic excellence demands continuous improvement in our ability to document, analyze and apply learning at the project, sector and agency levels, and to share our reflections with stakeholders, practitioners and policymakers.

CRS invests in an agency-wide approach to monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning for overseas programming to improve our ability to:

• Use effective feedback mechanisms to ensure greater accountability to program beneficiaries

• Systematically measure results, incorporate and document experiential learning

• Optimize use of technology to improve the accuracy, timeliness and accessibility of monitoring and evaluation data

• Facilitate decisions based on evidence and learning

• Share our learning with the broader development community and policymakers

Eight policies set long-term objectives and 29 procedures guide application of the policies. Together, policies and procedures assist teams in MEAL.

MEAL offers opportunities to strengthen the quality of our programs and accountability to the people we serve, sharpen skills, deepen experience, innovate and lead sustainable development work.