Technical Assistance and Training

Monitoring of Village Based Plans in NWFP Pakistan

Remme Consult provides technical assistance and training in project planning, monitoring & evaluation (M&E) and MIS. We have undertaken consultancies for a large number of programmes in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. The combination of the social sciences and agricultural/NRM expertise, experience in participatory approaches (PRA, PME) and the technical know-how with regard to the development of MIS and databases, makes Remme Consult unique in its field. We combine:

• conceptual analysis and design (programme design, set up of planning, M&E systems and institutional requirements)
• technical development of instruments (MIS, M&E tools)
• training, capacity strengthening and institutional development.

Planning (LFA, PCM)

With respect to planning, technical assistance has been provided in logical framework analysis (LFA), Project Cycle Management (PCM) and objective oriented planning/ZOPP workshops. A well defined planning framework that is based on a solid problem analysis is a prerequisite for M&E. Remme Consult has experience in workshop facilitation and has been involved in the formulation and improvement of strategic plans and logical frameworks for a number of programmes:

• Private Forestry Programme funded by the the Government of Finland - Tanzania (2014).
• IICA Regional Programmes MFS and AEA funded by the Government of Finland - Peru/Andes (2012).
• Aceh Economic Development Financing Facility funded by MDF (2011).
• China River Basin Management Programme funded by the EU - China (2010).
• Rajasthan State Partnership Programme funded by the EU - India (2010).
• ITTO programmes on REDDES and TFLET - Japan (2009).
• Improved Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihoods Programme funded by EU - Malawi (2008).
• Aceh Forest and Environment Project funded by multi-donor fund/World Bank - Indonesia (2007).
• Abbay River Basin Organization - Institutional Set-up Studies of the Ethiopian Nile Basin funded by the French government (2005/2006).
• Upland Development Programme Mindanao the Philippines, funded by the EU (2003/2004).
• Agricultural Sector Support Programme (APSA) Bolivia, funded by Danida (2001).
• Programa Podocarpus Ecuador, funded by the Dutch Government (2001).
• Forestry Sector Extension and Research programme of the Agricultural Sector Support Programme in Zimbabwe, funded by the Danish government (1998).

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

Though the basic principles of M&E do not change, development programmes are usually very diverse and have their own particular characteristics that require the development of specific procedures and mechanisms. The change from area-based project assistance to programme- or sector-based approaches of development co-operation, makes the planning and M&E of the programmes more complex. Different institutional levels might be involved that are responsible for different types of activities or projects. The M&E system should incorporate these different institutional levels and relationships.

Because of these complexities and specific requirements, Remme Consult has assisted a number of programmes with the development of their M&E systems and has trained project staff in M&E methods. Major emphasis is put on result-oriented monitoring, institutional learning, participatory approaches and institutional capacity and sustainability (see also our philosophy on M&E).

We have also assisted programmes with the write up of their annual progress and final reports.

Management Information Systems (MIS)

MIS involves the organisation of the information flows and records into a comprehensive system that enhances the analysis and decision-making process. Information from different sources, such as the planning framework, administrative issues, financial transactions, M&E findings and other relevant data, should be linked in a logical and simple manner. Remme Consult has assisted various programmes with:

• the conceptual design of a MIS (which data should be linked, when, how, by whom, who should have access to the information, etc.)
• database design and MIS software development.