As a jointly implemented programme by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ),  the ASEAN German Energy Programme (AGEP) is mandated to involve the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in the project implementation process. The M&E will ensure project quality, provide high transparency, and increase accountability, especially for AGEP implementing actors both GIZ and ACE.

During AGEP Phase I, a tailor-made M&E tool was designed to ensure project management towards results, facilitate the efficient and appropriate evaluation of project activities. Due to the complexity of the project and change of conditions such as WFH modus during the COVID-19 pandemic, AGEP Phase II requires a helicopter-view M&E system to monitor all the activity. It is pivotal for the management teams to adapt to the new working situation and monitoring, so potential risks/delays of activities can be identified.

AGEP Phase II is planning to apply one of M&E approaches, called Results Based Monitoring (RBM). The RBM method will monitor the entire change of process within the project displayed in the results model. RBM is used to manage the project output and indicators, while also acting as the basis for evaluations and reporting purposes.  It also facilitates a change of strategy easily and fast reaction on identifying risk and problem.

To have a better understanding of the RBM approach, AGEP Phase II will conduct an RBM training for GIZ and ACE personnel in by early 2021. This training will equip AGEP personnel to focus on the quality assurance (improvement, adaptation, or enhancement) of the RBM approach and expand their know-how on monitoring in the context of the project cycle management. Furthermore, it will also analyse the current results from project activities, formulate a monitoring plan, and prepare an overview of data collection instruments, which include operational data i.e., event evaluation and gender participation rate. All required data will be integrated into the internal M&E tool that will be used by AGEP Phase II in the near future. (HM)