In a world increasingly focused on long-term impact and shared global goals, traditional M&E frameworks that only measure short-term outputs are no longer sufficient. This training course is designed to equip M&E and project professionals with the skills to embed sustainability principles and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into every aspect of their work. By learning how to design and implement frameworks that track not only immediate outcomes but also a project's long-term contribution to people, planet, and prosperity, participants will be able to demonstrate a deeper and more meaningful impact to donors, partners, and beneficiaries.

This comprehensive program provides a practical, hands-on roadmap for moving beyond compliance-based reporting to a strategic approach that fosters systemic change. Participants will gain skills in mapping project activities to specific SDG targets, identifying relevant sustainability indicators, and using innovative data collection methods to measure progress on a global scale. The course is a strategic investment for organizations seeking to enhance the credibility of their interventions, ensuring their projects are not just effective in the short run but are also a force for lasting, positive change in the world.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• M&E Specialists
• Sustainability Managers
• Program and Project Managers
• Researchers
• Data Analysts
• Corporate Social Responsibility Officers
• Government Officials
• Consultants
• Grant Managers
• Humanitarian Aid Workers

Objectives:

• Understand the core principles of sustainability and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Master the process of aligning M&E frameworks with specific SDG targets.
• Learn how to select and measure key indicators for sustainability and the SDGs.
• Develop a framework for integrating sustainability into the project life cycle.
• Ensure data quality and ethical considerations for SDG-related data.
• Overcome the technical and organizational challenges of implementation.
• Enhance the long-term impact and credibility of projects.
• Communicate sustainability and SDG progress to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management.
• Apply SDG frameworks to a wide range of sectors.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Foundations of Sustainability and SDGs

• The historical context of sustainable development
• An overview of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
• Understanding the interconnections and synergies between the SDGs
• The role of the 2030 Agenda and the principle of leaving no one behind
• Key challenges in achieving the SDGs

Module 2: Aligning Projects with the SDGs

• The importance of a clear and testable theory of change
• Mapping project activities to relevant SDG targets
• The process of identifying and prioritizing relevant SDGs
• Understanding the difference between contribution and attribution
• Case studies on effective SDG alignment

Module 3: Designing an SDG-Aligned M&E Framework

• The components of a robust M&E framework
• Translating SDG targets into measurable indicators
• The role of a logic model for SDG-aligned projects
• The importance of a baseline for measuring progress
• The difference between outputs, outcomes, and impact

Module 4: SDG Indicators and Data Collection

• Navigating the official SDG indicator framework
• The difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3 indicators
• The role of data disaggregation for equity and inclusivity
• Using qualitative and quantitative methods to collect SDG data
• Best practices for data collection in the field

Module 5: Data Analysis for SDG Reporting

• The importance of a clear data analysis plan
• Using statistical analysis for SDG indicators
• The role of qualitative data analysis
• Interpreting findings from a sustainability perspective
• The importance of data triangulation

Module 6: Leveraging Technology for M&E

• The use of mobile data collection tools for SDG tracking
• The role of GIS and satellite imagery
• An introduction to real-time monitoring systems
• The potential of AI and machine learning for data analysis
• Best practices for using technology in the field

Module 7: Mainstreaming Sustainability

• How to integrate sustainability into project design
• The importance of a "do no harm" approach
• The role of sustainability in a program's life cycle
• The importance of a clear exit strategy
• Case studies on successful sustainability integration

Module 8: Communicating SDG Progress

• The importance of a clear and compelling narrative
• Using dashboards and visualizations to communicate insights
• The role of a "sustainability scorecard"
• Communicating with different audiences (e.g., donors, community members, policymakers)
• The importance of using data for advocacy

Module 9: M&E for SDG 1: No Poverty

• Measuring poverty in its various dimensions
• The use of multidimensional poverty indices
• The role of monitoring in social protection programs
• The importance of a poverty-sensitive M&E framework
• Case studies on M&E for poverty reduction

Module 10: M&E for SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

• Key indicators for health-related SDGs
• Measuring access to essential health services
• The role of a health information system
• The importance of disaggregated health data
• Case studies on M&E for public health

Module 11: M&E for SDG 13: Climate Action

• The importance of a climate-aware M&E framework
• Measuring greenhouse gas emissions and climate risk
• The role of remote sensing in climate monitoring
• The importance of a clear adaptation and mitigation strategy
• Case studies on M&E for climate resilience

Module 12: M&E for SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• The challenges of measuring governance and peace
• The role of qualitative data in a fragile context
• The importance of a conflict-sensitive M&E framework
• Measuring access to justice and civil rights
• Case studies on M&E for governance programs

Module 13: CBM and SDG Alignment

• The potential of community-based monitoring for the SDGs
• Training community members as data collectors
• The importance of a participatory approach
• The role of a feedback loop for continuous learning
• The long-term benefits of a community-led system

Module 14: Practical Application and Simulation

• A hands-on simulation of a real-world project
• Participants work in teams to design an SDG-aligned framework
• Troubleshooting common challenges in data collection
• Analyzing and interpreting a set of SDG data
• Peer review and feedback sessions on framework design

Module 15: The Future of M&E and the SDGs

• The role of new data sources (e.g., social media, IoT)
• The potential of blockchain for data integrity
• The rise of complexity-aware M&E
• The long-term implications for the sector
• Anticipating the next wave of challenges

Module 16: Building Your Sustainability Roadmap

• Creating a customized plan for a new project
• Identifying key stakeholders and securing buy-in
• Developing a phased implementation strategy
• Measuring the ROI and business impact of the investment
• Final Q&A and course wrap-up

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.