Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning in Local–International Faith Partnerships in the Development and Humanitarian Sector

Abstract Faith actors have long been involved in development and humanitarian initiatives. Much of the international development and humanitarian system continues to be secular; however, there is an increasing awareness of the contribution of faith communities to development and humanitarian action, which goes hand in hand with a recognition that international secular approaches are not always best suited for engagements with local faith actors. Although some areas related to faith and development/humanitarian aid are relatively well researched, we have limited knowledge about monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) with and/or as faith actors. Drawing on over 30 interviews, this chapter focuses on MEAL in partnerships between international actors and local faith actors during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Burundi, Haiti, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It finds that the pandemic created both challenges and opportunities, highlights the creative ways in which MEAL methodologies were adapted during the crisis, and discusses their impact.