1. Country reporting (annual and semi-annual, as well as at mid-term and the readiness assessment stage) is crucial to understanding how a country is progressing in its readiness preparations Country reporting is a mandatory requirement (for REDD countries that have signed a Readiness Grant Agreement) – Countries should use the country progress reporting template (attached to email – a user friendly excel version of the reporting template to be provided) – Reports are due April 15 (semi-annual report changed from March 30), and August 30 (annual). FMT will remind/inform countries of changes in timelines in advance. M&E VC: Key takeaway messages (1)

2. An M&E Framework is a planning and management tool to help collection, analysis, and reporting of information against key readiness milestones and deliverables (per Readiness Package Assessment Framework) 1) reporting country progress 2) identifying gaps 3) enabling ‘course corrections’ Country is free to use/adapt an existing monitoring and evaluation framework if it can be used to collect and report progress on readiness. Even though a typical M&E Framework consists of RESULTSCHAIN, LOGICAL FRAMEWORK AND PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FRAMEWORK (PMF), for practical purposes PMF is the tool that will be used to plan milestones, set indicators, collect and maintain information. This information is then reported to the FCPF (using the reporting template) or to other partners in other formats as requested. See PMF sections in NEPAL, LIBERIA M&E Frameworks. The lesson to draw from these early frameworks is that do not get too ambitious with too many milestones and indicators but choose them realistically. M&E VC: Key takeaway messages (2)

3. The M&E Framework should: – Build on existing data collection monitoring arrangements (i.e. component 6 of R-PP, FY14-15 workplans), as feasible – Use realistic indicators ‘SMART’ (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) indicators for monitoring results. – In Monitoring language results are broken down into two levels for ease of monitoring. You start with lower order of results in order to get to the final results and at the same time ensuring you are keeping focus on making corrections as required. – The lower order results are called OUTPUTS (intermediate results) that you want to achieve in order to get to OUTCOMES (key results which in case of Readiness are essentially the nine sub components as listed in the Readiness Package Assessment Framework) – The guidance questions against each of the sub components in the Readiness Assessment Framework can be used to set milestones at OUTPUT LEVEL (or intermediate results) – Each level of result is accompanied by an indicator, which is a form of information collected periodically to tell you that you progressing well or not. M&E VC: Key takeaway messages (3)

4. The M&E Framework should: – Specify targets and identify clear roles and responsibilities for data collection and consolidation, as well as the frequency and source of this information (who will collect what and when) For example, in Liberia the project coordinator collates information from the REDD Technical Working Group and SESA coordinating group) See Nepal’s M&E framework for other examples – Keep it simple and realistic. Data availability can be a major constraint so be realistic in choice of indicators and resources that may be required to keep the monitoring and reporting functional over time – As good practice consider seeking inputs/feedback from relevant stakeholders and independent review at mid term reporting – The reports to be submitted to the FCPF is not an exercise that the REDD focal point will undertake on his own. This is a self assessment exercise to be undertake with representative group of stakeholders – Ideally track and serve multi-reporting purposes (FCPF and non-FCPF) – EVAUATION is different to Monitoring. It is good practice to commission an independent evaluation in the final year of readiness preparation. M&E VC: Key takeaway messages (4)

5. Start and strengthen: – Start by building an M&E Framework that can report on readiness activities, and add reporting on other REDD+ activities (e.g., pilot activities) over time as feasible Setting up an M&E Framework will take upfront effort, however taking the time to systematically design an M&E framework will result in efficiency in the long-term – Streamline reporting: Over time annual/semi-annual reporting helps to cumulatively build the information the information needed at the mid-term and readiness assessment stages – Effectiveness/efficiency: Indicators keep readiness preparations on track Resources are available to countries: – Examples from countries to date (Nepal and Liberia) that have established their national M&E framework – Relevant materials on the FCPF website https://forestcarbonpartnership.org/fcpf- monitoring-evaluationhttps://forestcarbonpartnership.org/fcpf- monitoring-evaluation – FMT and M&E specialists are available to help/advise countries in the design of their national M&E Frameworks/ use the country reporting template M&E VC: Key takeaway messages (6)

6. 1) Country reporting Ethiopia and Mozambique to prepare their semi-annual progress reports for submission by April 15, 2014 (changed from March 30) – Report financial data and overall progress to date – Do not need provide detailed information on milestones at this time (to avoid duplication). These will be defined as part of establishing the M&E Framework and reported by August 30 as part of the annual report. 2) Establishing M&E Frameworks Ethiopia will consider existing information from which to build from (i.e., R-PP component 6, FY14 workplans, Readiness Assessment Framework, financial reporting, ahead of M&E consultant’s mission (tentatively scheduled early April) Mozambique agreed to review the capacity of the UT REDD Technical Unit to undertake this work and to collect existing information by end of March. FMT advised Mozambique to consider engaging a consultant to work with the REDD team to establish an M&E framework M&E VC: Next steps