Contents Acknowledgements 3 Glossary 4 Introduction for users 6 Module 1: Understanding MEAL 10 Section 1.1. What is MEAL? 11 Section 1.2. Why is MEAL important for NHRIs? 12 Section 1.3. How to build a MEAL culture in your NHRI 14 Section 1.4. MEAL challenges for an NHRI 16 Section 1.5. Moving from outputs-thinking to outcomes-thinking 17 Section 1.6. MEAL and Gender Mainstreaming 19 Section 1.7. MEAL and ethics 22 Section 1.8. MEAL and accountability 25 Section 1.9. When to develop a MEAL Framework or Plan 26 Module 2: Developing your MEAL Framework 28 Section 2.1. Understanding the key MEAL concepts 30 Section 2.2. Defining the problem/issue 32 Section 2.3. Defining outcomes 33 Section 2.4. Defining inputs, activities and outputs 36 Section 2.5. Developing indicators, baselines and targets 38 Section 2.6. Identifying data types and questions 46 Section 2.7. Identifying dependencies and assumptions 50 Section 2.8. Bringing it all together 52 Module 3: Developing your MEAL Plan 54 Section 3.1. Developing your MEAL Plan 56 Section 3.2. Forming the MEAL team and clarifying responsibilities 57 Section 3.3. Choosing data collection methods 58 Section 3.4. Deciding how to store data 65 Section 3.5. Making sense of MEAL data 67 Section 3.6. Operating the MEAL Plan 70 Section 3.7. Deciding how you will report and to whom 72 Section 3.8. Bringing it all together 76 1