GRAAM signs an SoI with Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog

Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement, a leading research and public engagement organization inked a Statement of Intent (SoI) with the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog for strategic and technical collaboration to strengthen monitoring and evaluation of government policies and programs in India. 

 The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Dr Sekhar Bonu, Director General, DMEO, Shri Alok Mishra, Deputy Director General DMEO, NITI Aayog officials and  GRAAM’s Chairman Dr R Balasubramaniam along with other staff in New Delhi on November 23. The memorandum on behalf of GRAAM was signed by the organization’s Executive Director Dr Basavaraju R Shreshta.

While speaking at the event, Dr R Balasubramaniam said, “Evaluation agencies play a critical role in implementing data driven programs and undertaking policy evaluations with focus on quality and standard of the programs. There is a need to strengthen and encourage them further.”

 As part of the SoI, GRAAM will provide technical assistance to DMEO in the preparation of technical and/or policy documents, conduct joint studies, and facilitate capacity building programmes on monitoring and evaluation of government policies and programmes for public officials at the Centre and States, local researchers, regional institutions and other stakeholders. 

 “We are privileged to partner with DMEO of NITI Aayog as we consider this partnership to reach grassroots voices, realities and experience blended with scientific research to the policy makers and there cannot be better platform than NITI Aayog. Community Engagement is key to not only understand the problem, but also design solutions,” said Dr Basavaraju about the MoU.

 Known for conducting credible evaluation and research studies pan India in partnership with WHO, UNICEF and other policy / academic institutions, GRAAM will also be organizing events, exchanging and disseminating best practices, developing communication and other activities comprising technical assistance. 

 Dr Bonu at the event spoke about DMEO’s plans for working with States for strengthening the M&E ecosystem. He appreciated the steps taken by the Karnataka government for coming up with a state-level Evaluation Authority.  He further said that DMEO is looking forward to engaging with GRAAM to build a robust evaluation agency system across the nation. 

About DMEO

DMEO, as the apex monitoring and evaluation organization, is entrusted with development of M&E functions including monitoring the progress and efficacy of strategic and long-term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives to help innovative improvements, including necessary mid-course corrections; DMEO is involved in institutionalizing Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) for over 65 ministries and Data Governance Quality Index; coordinating Sector Reviews and Global Initiative for Reforms and Growth (GIRG); undertaking quick evaluation and rigorous evaluation studies; strengthening the M&E ecosystem through institution building and capacity development for central and state government officials; and enabling evidence-based policy making in the country. 

About GRAAM

Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM) is a public policy research and public engagement organization in India. GRAAM’s extensive expertise spans over policy research, program evaluation, community consultation, policy engagement, strategic consultation, academic programs and community development. GRAAM works in collaboration with all the four key stakeholders of development i.e. Government, Citizenry, Civil Society Organizations and Corporate.