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<p>There are multiple tools and approaches practitioners can adopt in the Monitoring and Evaluation of their projects to measure progress, achieve specific goals, and tackle contextual implementation challenges. While some of these approaches are complementary, others have a broader applicability. The use of the Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&amp;E) method is an effective approach that [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The essence of any program or project boils down to the efficiency of its needs assessment survey and baseline studies. While the two are often intertwined and continue to baffle organizations and individuals alike, there’s a distinct difference between both. The key differentiators lie in the technicalities and practical applications of the two.&nbsp; A Needs [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Comprehensive and continuous Impact evaluations are a crucial tool for generating accountability and learning. At both a national and international level, they are crucial to knowledge building and assessing the effectiveness of development programs. By informing stakeholders of the aspects of a program that need to be restructured, time and resources can then be directed [&hellip;]</p>

<p>As a part of our inaugural Social Impact Dialogues commemorating the 4th Wheel&#8217;s 13th anniversary, we had the pleasure of hosting Manije Kelkar, Founder and director of Goalkeep. Manije&#8217;s discussion revolved around the pivotal topic of &#8220;Impact Frameworks and Data Management Systems: How to Begin?&#8221;. She delved into the intricacies of the subject and brought [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Recent data and statistics highlight the growing momentum of CSR in India and the concerted efforts of companies to make a meaningful and lasting impact on society. In the financial year 2019-2020, CSR activities witnessed substantial growth in India, with companies collectively investing INR 16,034 crore, showcasing a notable 7% increase from the previous year. [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Ten years ago, data management systems for the development sector looked very different from what they do today. The primary means of collecting data were largely surveys and spreadsheets, followed by human beings who would consolidate, clean, summarize, and analyze data. A few organizations who were slightly ahead of the curve were starting to adopt [&hellip;]</p>

<p>As social impact practitioners, we at 4th wheel understand the importance of good intentions in this sector. But are good intentions enough?&nbsp; Do you sometimes wonder, why those good intentions haven’t transpired to the required social changes you seek?&nbsp; As the reference framework to strategize and measure social impact, a Theory of Change (ToC) may [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), in transition from being merely compliance-driven to being impact-informed and strategic, now requires firms to care about the nature and quality of their social impact. Some firms have the bandwidth- personnel and financial- to meet compliance requirements and ensure the nature and quality of their social change efforts.&nbsp; Other organisations work [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Impact- if not measured or evaluated correctly, can be very difficult to understand and quantify. In this blog, we will see what an impact evaluation study is, what are the steps involved in completing an evaluation study, and how to communicate the study results to the stakeholders involved.&nbsp; An ideal program or intervention functions with [&hellip;]</p>

<p>On March 10th, 2022, 4th Wheel Social Impact held a virtual workshop to share the findings from a health needs assessment that had been carried out in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts in Tamil Nadu in December 2021. This study was funded by AM Foundation, which serves as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of AM [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Learn how to develop and make use of a Theory of Change to better strategise and measure social impact Undoubtedly, Theory of Change has become the #1 global framework to design and plan for positive social impact. While many know the basics, few know how to leverage a ToC framework to identify impact indicators, prepare [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Monitoring and Evaluation are two related yet completely diverse instruments which, when applied effectively, can revolutionize the results of any project. The primary purpose of both management tools is to track projects and guide interventions. However, the difference lies in practical application. What does M&amp;E Mean? Monitoring at its core is a continuous functional process [&hellip;]</p>

<p>With the rising wave of new-age evaluation methods, it has become increasingly important to accurately gauge the quality and effectiveness of a business’s projects, programmes, and initiatives. While your internal teams do an excellent job at keeping the organisation alive, an external evaluation might just be the solution you were looking for if you’ve identified the [&hellip;]</p>

<p>India presents an interesting paradox when one tries to draw an association between the skilling and employment levels in the country.&nbsp; its skilling-employment levels. India faces one of the highest shortages of skilled workers at 56% in 2018 as per Statista. Simultaneously, the level of unemployment, which only goes up as education attainment goes up, [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Skills have multiple meanings and many elements. More than 54% of the total population of India is below 25 years of age. Over 62% of the population is in the working age group (15-59 years). Skill development efforts will decide if the demographic dividend of the country will become an asset or a liability. Only [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment Rules, 2021 signify the evolution of CSR in India, moving beyond compliance to a more strategic, structured, and impact-focused approach. This article outlines what stands out for us at 4th&nbsp;Wheel, in terms of the Government’s directive on how CSR is to be approached and undertaken by the private [&hellip;]</p>

<p>What is a Baseline Assessment? A&nbsp;baseline assessment&nbsp;is an analysis of the current situation to identify the starting points for a programme or project, setting benchmarks against which future progress can be assessed or comparisons made. Baseline information builds a database against which to monitor and assess a programme’s feasibility, progress, and effectiveness&nbsp;– during implementation and [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a critical tool for understanding the social consequences of planned projects and developments. It examines the effects of proposed initiatives on the communities and populations they will affect. This process is vital because it helps identify potential social risks and benefits, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions that promote positive [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The&nbsp;CSR Companies Act of 2013&nbsp;brought the importance of social responsibility of business to the forefront by mandating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spends. It propelled the private sector to develop a CSR policy, have a rigorous implementation plan, and address key socio-economic needs of communities they operate within. &nbsp; The amended&nbsp;CSR rules of 2021&nbsp;require that any [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Social Impact management is an ongoing practice of measuring and improving social investment outcomes to reduce negative and increase positive impacts of an organisation’s activities. It moves beyond impact measurement as an ‘after thought’ to measure successes of programme implementation, and recognises that&nbsp;‘effective impact measurement is an ongoing process’. Social Impact Management enables organisations to [&hellip;]</p>