Youth programmes without genuine monitoring and evaluation cannot demonstrate impact to funders, cannot identify what is working, and cannot improve systematically over time. This course builds practical planning, monitoring and evaluation skills specifically for youth programme contexts, from theory of change through to using evidence for genuine improvement.
47%of youth programmes lack adequate monitoring and evaluation systems
3xhigher funding renewal for programmes with strong monitoring and evaluation
220+practitioners trained by Matsh in this programme
Common challenges this course addresses:
- You measure programme activity but cannot demonstrate genuine outcomes to funders
- You lack a clear theory of change connecting your activities to intended youth outcomes
- Your monitoring data is collected but rarely actually used to improve programme delivery
- You struggle to design indicators that are both meaningful and practical to collect
- You are not confident writing evaluation reports that satisfy funder requirements
This course builds practical monitoring and evaluation skills that demonstrate impact and genuinely improve your programme.
Who Should Attend
📋
Programme Managers
Those responsible for youth programme monitoring and evaluation.
🌍
NGO Staff
Staff managing donor reporting requirements for youth programmes.
🏛️
Government Programme Officers
Staff evaluating national youth programme outcomes.
💰
Donor Relations Staff
Those managing funder relationships requiring evidence of impact.
👥
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists
Those building or strengthening M&E systems.
🎓
Researchers
Those evaluating youth programme effectiveness academically.
What You Will Leave With
Practical tools applicable immediately.
✓Theory of change development, connecting activities logically to intended outcomes
✓Indicator design skills, building measures that are meaningful and practical
✓Data collection methods, gathering reliable data with limited resources
✓Outcome versus output distinction, measuring genuine impact, not just activity
✓Evidence-based improvement, using data to actually improve programme delivery
✓Evaluation reporting skills, writing reports that satisfy funders and inform practice
What Participants Report
From follow-up surveys 60 days after the programme
72%built a clearer theory of change for their programme
64%reported using monitoring data to make a specific programme improvement
220+practitioners trained across all cohorts
"We collected data for years because donors required it, without really using it ourselves. Learning to build indicators we could actually act on changed monitoring from a compliance task into a genuine improvement tool."
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, youth NGO
Programme Outline
1
Theory of Change and Programme Logic
Why this module matters: A clear theory of change is the foundation for meaningful monitoring and evaluation, connecting what you do to what you hope to achieve.
- Building a theory of change that connects activities to outcomes logically
- Distinguishing outputs, outcomes and impact clearly
- Identifying assumptions that need to be tested through evaluation
2
Indicator Design and Data Collection
Why this module matters: Indicators that are theoretically meaningful but impractical to collect reliably undermine monitoring systems from the start.
- Designing indicators that are both meaningful and realistically collectible
- Selecting data collection methods appropriate to your resources
- Building data collection into programme delivery without excessive burden
3
Analysis and Evidence-Based Improvement
Why this module matters: Monitoring data creates value only when it is actually analysed and used to improve programme delivery, not simply archived.
- Analysing monitoring data to identify genuine programme strengths and gaps
- Using evidence to make real-time programme adjustments
- Building a learning culture that treats data as improvement, not just compliance
4
Evaluation Design and Reporting
Why this module matters: Rigorous evaluation and clear reporting demonstrate genuine impact to funders and stakeholders while informing future programme design.
- Designing evaluations appropriate to programme scale and resources
- Writing evaluation reports that satisfy funder requirements and inform practice
- Personal monitoring and evaluation plan for your specific programme
Course At a Glance
| Duration | 3-5 Days |
| Format | In-person and online |
| What's Included | Workbook, practical toolkit, certificate of completion |
Common Questions
Does the course require prior monitoring and evaluation experience?
No. The course builds monitoring and evaluation skills from foundational concepts through to practical application, suitable for those new to the discipline as well as those refining existing skills.
Is this course relevant for small programmes with limited monitoring budgets?
Yes. Practical, low-cost data collection and analysis methods are emphasised throughout, recognising that many youth programmes operate with limited dedicated monitoring resources.
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Ready to Build Monitoring and Evaluation That Genuinely Improves Your Programme?
Move beyond compliance-driven data collection to evidence that demonstrates impact and drives improvement.
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