Step 6 Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL)

Introduction

This step is crucial for ensuring your adaptation plan stays on track and delivers the intended results. It helps you set up a structured way to monitor progress, evaluate outcomes of adaptation actions and learn from experience. You'll be supported to develop a solid approach tailored to your specific context (Step 6.1) and to create a flexible framework for measuring your plan’s outcomes and progress towards climate resilience (Step 6.2). The importance of continuously reviewing and improving your adaptation plan – based on the lessons learned from monitoring and evaluation – is also highlighted (Step 6.3).

While it's presented here as a separate step, remember that monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) should happen throughout the adaptation process. However, defining and specifying these aspects at the sub-national level can be challenging. Recent research shows that although many cities have MEL systems in place, only a few have clearly defined objectives and indicators. This calls for action and, as a local or regional authority, you can play an important role in this, ensuring effective adaptation.