Competence centers
Learning, Monitoring & Evaluation
One of eight Samburu women known as Mama Tembos (Kiswahili for “mothers of elephants”) tracking data on the use of migration corridors by different species. Ewaso Ng'iro north basin, Kenya | Photo: James Mwamisi
The Wyss Academy for Nature’s LM&E competence center supports all Wyss Academy hubs and units in monitoring, evaluating, and learning from the organization’s initiatives and interventions. It measures the progress of projects, strategic objectives, strategic goals, and overall strategy, evaluating and learning from their outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Learning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Wyss Academy helps the organization identify and understand drivers and mechanisms of change that have a positive impact on the systems connecting humans and nature. By employing participatory methods, the LM&E team collaborates closely with the Wyss Academy’s partners and the communities in the regions where we work, and continually supports the organization in learning from its experiences and those of others.
Interview with Khalil Bitar, Learning, Monitoring & Evaluation Lead (LM&E)
Main achievements in 2023
1. Theories of change built, and impact hypotheses formulated
In 2023, the LM&E team supported several hubs and units in developing theories of change for the various Solutionscapes at the Regional Hubs, and in other interventions of the organizational units in Bern. The Wyss Academy’s approach is one that centers around the idea of living labs; hence we develop theories of change and impact hypotheses to analyze and be transparent about our assumptions. In this way, we know what to measure, and learn and adapt in the naturally short cycles of our living labs. We expect the unexpected. Theories of change and impact hypotheses were adapted regularly in 2023 to ensure that they remain practical, and that they can be utilized effectively.
Installation of soil moisture and temperature probes for enhanced monitoring of semi-circular bunds in Naibunga County, Kenya | Photo: Marcel Wälti
Community members in action: Installing soil moisture and temperature probes | Photo: Marcel Wälti
2. Key performance indicators developed
During the past year, the LM&E team also focused on formulating SMART key performance indicators for several projects and interventions. This addition will help the project and management teams of the Wyss Academy to effectively monitor the progress of their interventions. Furthermore, it will provide essential data for the organization’s first external review during 2024 (See point 3).
3. Preparation for the Wyss Academy midterm review (2024)
The LM&E team started the preparation process for the Wyss Academy’s first external review in 2024. This joint preparation effort was kicked off in 2023 in close collaboration with the Wyss Foundation and various key Wyss Academy partners and other stakeholders.
Lorenz Zeller, a Research Associate working for the Regional Stewardship Hubs, while monitoring the vegetation growth fostered by semi-circular bunds in Laikipia County, Kenya | Photo: Daria Vuistiner