In the contemporary context the concept of participatory monitoring and evaluation(PME) has become an important means to enhance effectiveness and relevance of programmes, organisations and institutions in their pursuit of inclusive development, good governance and social change. PRIA has supported the strengthening and empowerment of civil society over the decades through an effective process of facilitating critical reflections on their own programmes. PRIA’s approach to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is based on its perspectives of participatory research and intends to promote self-critical reflections among grassroots organisations. The Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation (LME) reflections are facilitated both in India and trans-nationally, and the experiences are accordingly systematised.

In Assessment of Current Status of IEC and Awareness Amongst General Community Concerning Programme Components in Uttarakhand PRIA assessed the existing IEC materials and status of awareness among residents in Dehradun, Nanital and Haridwar to help better design of UUSDIP programme in the state of Uttarakhand

With the support of SDC, PRIA aimed at strengthening coalition and partnership in the Asian region between institutions working towards the promotion of democratic local governance and to promote knowledge, learning and advocacy on democracy, accountability and participation. The countries involved in this project were Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka.

PRIA has also documented case studies from South and South-east Asia to prepare a perspective report on the Impact and Effectiveness of Accountability and Transparency Initiatives

An independent project, Completion Assessment of Citizens Against Corruption Programme, was also undertaken to assess the degree to which the project achieved its objectives as well as take into account the implementation performance and contributions of the activities and outputs. The result of the programme was then evaluated and an assessment on the dissemination of the knowledge gathered and contribution of institutional development was looked into.

The FCO Evaluation of Strengthening Civil Society Conflict Transformation Capacities was an exercise taken up to strengthen civil society’s capacity for conflict transformation on both sides of the line of control (Jammu and Kashmir) by facilitating shared analysis, dialogue and practical engagement at regional and across line of control (Loc) levels and to link them to other peace building efforts.

Continuing its work which began in early 2010, PRIA has worked with Slum/Shack Dwellers International (SDI) to facilitate their own Learning Monitoring & Evaluation (LME) practices. In particular, hands-on support to build LME systems was provided to SDI national affiliates in Sri Lanka and Nepal. In addition, LME reflections were facilitated with NSDF/MM/SPARC in India, and experiences in the Philippines were systematised. These lessons are being shared with SDI leadership and activists in a workshop in 2011. PRIA’s work on LME is also being shared in an international coalition of NGOs involved in promoting participatory M&E, anchored in PSO, the Netherlands.

PRIA conducted an Institutional Assessment of Afghanaid to develop the organisation’s institutional and human capacity in order to contribute to the development efforts taking place in Afghanistan so that sustainable impacts on the lives of the poor communities in line with its vision and mission statements could be achieved.

An organisational strategic review of Afghanaid was also carried out focusing on governance, management and programme levels and recommendation actions were sought so that better delivery impact could be made in line with its vision.

PRIA has embarked on a programme to insitutionalise learning practices which contribute to social change This programme is supported by PSO which aims to make a direct contribution to the capacity of civil society organisations (CSO) to learn more effectively from experience in order to enable effective practice, and therefore impact. As part of the programme, PRIA and 5 partner organisations (4 from India and 1 from Nepal) are undertaking an action research to explore the effectiveness of producing and disseminating resource material as a strategy (approach) to enhance organisational learning, which leads to improved practice and social change.

PRIA has collated, synthesized, built experience over the years in the field of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation. This vast body of knowledge and learning is available in a certificate course which has been offered in joint certification with University of Victoria, Canada. The International Perspectives in Participatory, Monitoring and Evaluation Course has been one of the more popular courses offered by PRIA and over the years the number of Indian and International students has been on the rise.