How are NGOs coping with the impacts of COVID-19 Photo credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  COVID-19 has impacted billions of lives around the globe. Governments, individuals, businesses, and civil society organizations are battling to save lives, support families, and keep businesses, and organisations afloat. During these unprecedented times, the role of NGOs

5 reasons why monitoring & evaluation is good for NGOs The trials and errors in the development and humanitarian sector in the last decades have been transforming the way development is practiced globally. The evolving development trends and practices include the heightened expectations of donors for more accountability, transparency and proof of the effectiveness of projects.

What is Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)? At TolaData, we love getting queries about monitoring and evaluation (M&E) from our clients and followers around the world. Here’s one of our favourite inquiries of all time – What is monitoring and evaluation? It may sound like a simple question but it is certainly an important one. Before

Caught up in the data silo dilemma? TolaData can help! Do you use Ona, CommCare, SurveyCTO, KoBo Toolbox or other digital tools to collect your data? Do you store your collected dataset on MS Excel or Google Sheet? Is it difficult to bring all your dataset into one place without losing it or compromising on

In conversation with M&E Specialist Sarah Ulrich “I always enjoyed being in direct contact with target groups of projects I evaluated, because I find it amazing and gratifying to hear about the change and impact they experience.” Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Sarah Ulrich talks about her love for the M&E sector and how she views

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan for NGOs Our simple guide articulates the key components and important steps in developing a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan. Our intention is to help you plan your M&E more strategically, so that your project can achieve the intended results. Find out how and when to transform your M&E vision

7 monitoring and 10 evaluation types to boost your M&E strategy Did you know that monitoring and evaluation (M&E) are classified into different types based on the purpose, focus, timing and audience of the assessment? In this article, we have attempted to explore the variety that is commonly used in the development and humanitarian sector

In conversation with M&E Specialist Muhip Ege Caglidil Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Muhip Ege Caglidil talks about his experience of working in M&E. He shares the inspiration behind his career choice, some good tips and resources to advance in the sector, and reveals the current challenges, opportunities and the utmost need for digitalisation in M&E.

10 steps to successful M&E Figuring out how and when to design a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan could be quite tricky, we agree! But with the right approach, and some helpful tips and tricks from the experts, you could have a lot of fun and success in planning and implementing M&E into your projects.

Here’s how to build a results framework to ensure effective project implementation In this article, we deep dive into one of the most intrinsic elements of M&E – The Results Framework. Discover what a results framework is and why it is an important part of an M&E process. Using a simple example, the article demonstrates

How to integrate the SDGs into your development project What are SDGs and why are they important? The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formulated in 2015 are the world’s best shared plan to end extreme poverty, reduce inequalities, promote health and employment, protect the planet and ensure peace and justice by 2030. Using a variety of

Into New Worlds by N3XTCODER N3XTCODER, a group of socially driven techies has been influencing our generation of digital innovators to weave technology with social change to create a long lasting positive impact in the society. On Jan 30, 2019, our TolaData team had an opportunity to be a part of their annual session, titled

Highlights from Social Impact Camp 03 Having made its rounds to the German cities of Cologne and Munich over the past two years, the Social Impact Camp returned for its third edition in Frankfurt from 26 to 28 September 2018. As partners of the event, our CEO Kathrin Wieland and German Key Account Manager Malte

Hacking the way forward in supply chain transparency Participating in a hackathon to build new ideas was the goal; winning it was the cherry on top. And that’s what happened to the TolaData team when some of us took part in a hackathon on supply chain transparency, jointly organised by N3XTCODER, Zalando SE, Volkswagen Group,

11 features every M&E software should have So you know you need a good monitoring and evaluation (M&E) software for more efficient and effective processes. Within an organisation, however, the needs of different employees might vary, which means what’s “good” or important for one may not be the same for another. Nevertheless, we’ve consulted with

Insights from MERLTech & ICT4D: Where tech & development meet 2018 has been a busy year for Andrew Pham, our co-founder and Head of Data & Partnerships. Not only has he been instrumental in the growth of TolaData so far, this avid globetrotter also hasn’t slowed down his momentum in flying out to different corners

How to get your dataset ready for analysis Whenever teams create datasets, they often devise a system that works for their specific use case. What happens when you wish to integrate your datasets into dashboards and analytical tools? We’ve put together a list of best practices to guide you and your team in setting them

How to create indicators that make sense Indicators are part and parcel of any monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework. Creating good indicators to ensure that your project achieves its desired outcome, however, is a whole other topic in itself — one we’re about to tackle in this blog post. Stick with us as we show

Deutscher StiftungsTag 2018: Our impressions From 16 to 18 May 2018, our CEO Kathrin Wieland, together with German Key Account Managers Florian Lipp and Malte Hoepfner, were off to Nuremberg to attend the Deutscher StiftungsTag 2018. This yearly convention, which drew 2,000 representatives from foundations all across Germany, saw them attending workshops and panels, as

7 films on social change you must see In case you haven’t already heard, the Berlinale (short for ‘Berlin International Film Festival’) is well under way in this beloved city we call home. While we at TolaData may be no filmmakers, that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate watching them on the big screen. The film

Scoring new heights in Uganda The beginning of a new year is often an exciting time and for us at TolaData, things were no different: we went places! That’s right — in January, our Product and Implementation experts Ninette Adhikari and Paulina Sobieszuk flew to Uganda to run a TolaData workshop for the DYNAMIC program

Paving the way for SDG success Ever since the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) took effect on 1 Jan 2016, organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors all over the world have aligned themselves behind these goals with the aim of reaching them by 2030. They include ending poverty in all its forms everywhere,