The Civic Resource Center (CRC) continues to strengthen civil society organisations. This time, the focus was on the concept of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) at the organisational level, which, among other things, contributes to strengthening the accountability and transparency of organisations, enables continuous improvement through the learning system and raises the credibility of the organisation as a collaborator, partner and actor in civil society.
The workshop on this topic was held on 16-17 December 2025 at the CRC Skopje, as a follow-up activity to the online training on MEL, which was a requirement for participation in the workshop.
During these two days, the participants were introduced to the key theoretical frameworks and principles of MEL in civil society organisations; identified the organisational prerequisites for the effective establishment of a MEL system; became familiar with the method of developing and improving processes, procedures and policies related to monitoring and evaluation; worked on preparing a MEL Plan, including indicators, baselines and targets, and learned how to define methods for collecting, processing and analysing data. They also learned how to plan evaluations and practically worked on developing terms of reference for conducting evaluations. In the final session, participants learned how to use MEL data for organisational learning, program improvement and transparent reporting.
“Every option for improving professional capacities is necessary and welcome. The training on monitoring, evaluation and learning is extremely useful and practical because it allows for a better and clearer understanding of the processes for systematic planning, monitoring and improvement of program activities, as well as monitoring the results as an indicator of the necessary changes in the area. The training offered specific and applicable tools and information for measuring the effects of projects and how to apply them in the everyday work of people involved in the civil society sector,” said Biljana Nasteska-Kalanoska from the Journalists’ Association of Macedonia.
In addition to the theoretical part, during the workshop, specific tools for implementing monitoring, evaluation and learning were also shared, including: List for developing indicators for MEL, List of priority areas, Template for target and actual values, Template for MEL plan at organisational level, MEL process map, etc., which were assessed by the participants as extremely useful.
"Extremely useful and practically oriented training on monitoring, evaluation and learning. Of particular value were the practical tools and examples presented that can be immediately applied in the development of strategic plans and the establishment of monitoring systems in civil society organisations. Many thanks to the Civic Resource Centre and the lecturer for their selfless engagement and sharing of knowledge, tools and experiences in the field," said Irena Spasenoska from the Institute for Leadership and Public Policy in Tetovo.
Sasho Dimitrov, financial and administrative consultant at the Institute for Crisis Management IKM from Skopje, also expressed his satisfaction with this workshop: “The workshop on MEL at the organisational level for civil society organisations contributed to a better understanding of the role of monitoring, evaluation and learning in strengthening organisational capacities. Through practical examples and interactive discussions, we gained useful knowledge on the application of MEU in everyday work and strategic planning,” he said.
To participate in this workshop, civil society organisations applied to the publicly announced Call for Participation in a Workshop on Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning at the Organisational Level for Civil Society Organisations.
The workshop was organised under the project "EU Support to the Civil Society Resource Centre - Phase 2", funded by the European Union, and implemented by the National Civil Society Development Foundation Civic Resource Centre, the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation (MCIC), Media Plus, Shtip and the Association for Democratic Initiatives - ADI, Gostivar
