This training manual is part of the "Internal Learning System" which is a participatory monitoring and evaluation system for grassroots livelihoods and micro-finance programmes, developed in India. Accompanying the member level diary, this manual gives pictorial direction of a series of exercises for member training meetings. It includes topics such as looking at socio-economic conditions, collecting and analysing data and using loans effectively.
This diary comprises part of a participatory mionitoring and evaluation system called an internal learning system for grassroots livelihoods and micro-finance programs. The diary is bsed on a pictorial record of the development experiences of a poor woman who is a member of a self help savings and credit group and enables the user to collect information on changes in livelihood variables such as health, education, savings etc using symbols. The accuracy of data entry is carried out using simple cross checks with fellow group members in a mutual learning process.
This article describes the logic, structure and mechanics of a participatory monitoring and evaluation system designed for group-based savings and credit programs and provides illustrations to highlight certain key elements. Preliminary results of field tests are also discussed. In the system the participant community not only collect data but also analyse, act upon it and 'own' the data. The internal learnings made are shared by the groups with donors and assisting development organisations.