Considering the rapidly changing context and often rapid turnover endemic to emergency environments, programs must include systems that collect, disseminate and apply learning in order to assess and improve performance.

Key Indicators (to be read in conjunction with the guidance notes):

• Data collection processes and systems should be in place to gather data need to ascertain whether intervention targets are being met (see guidance note 1).¹³
• Program experiences should be disseminated in at least one internal, and one external forum (see guidance note 2).
• The results of program monitoring and evaluation are used to improve future interventions (see guidance note 3).

Guidance Notes:

1. Program monitoring: The monitoring of economic recovery programs is critical to ensuring that the program is achieving both its intended impacts and that the most appropriate services are being implemented. Program monitoring should be well thought out in the design phase in terms of indicators, methods, and resources needed, and include a mix of quantitative and qualitative instruments. Given that both populations and local economies are in flux during an emergency, regular meetings with beneficiaries (see common standard 3) and ensuring that programs continue to be relevant to local market realities (see common standard 2) will ensure both the timeliness and appropriateness of the interventions, or in some cases, the modification of the intervention to meet changing needs. Regular gathering of monitoring data should be indicative of how the program is responding to the identified needs.

2. Dissemination: Programs should actively disseminate their findings and results both internally and externally. Internally, programs should share data and findings across technical sectors, especially if there are multiple interventions taking place in one geographic area. For example, weekly meetings of technical sector heads should be held where key program achievements, challenges, and future plans are discussed. Programs should also share findings with other organizations working in the same area in order to avoid overlap or potentially conflicting programs in the same area.

3. Program evaluation: Evaluations of programs should be written and disseminated, internally and externally, as a way of building the body of knowledge that constitutes good economic recovery programming in emergencies. Information and communication about the program and interventions should be disseminated in a way that is accessible and easy to adopt in the future.