Monitoring and Evaluation Programs
While there is significant potential for Water Funds to provide benefits to investors, communities, and nature, these benefits are not guaranteed by the creation of a Water Fund. Clear goals and monitoring data are the foundation through which science-based, sound investments are made and validated.
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Why is monitoring important to Water Funds?
Paulo Petry from The Nature Conservancy describes the importance of monitoring and evaluation.
Why do we monitor Water Funds?
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To track scope and efficiency of implementation of interventions and adaptively manage projects
We monitor Water Funds to observe, record, compare, track, discover, and adaptively manage the projects we are implementing (often referred to as Implementation Monitoring). You may learn new ideas without monitoring, but cannot monitor without learning.
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Test effectiveness of interventions
Alongside the implementation of pilot projects, monitoring is critical for testing the effectiveness of interventions through approaches such as edge of field monitoring.
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To measure progress towards our goals
We monitor Water Funds to achieve our goals / outcomes (often referred to as Impact Monitoring). Clear goals and monitoring data are the foundation through which science-based, sound investments are made and validated.
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To establish credibility and transparency with key stakeholders
Financial supporters require regular reports on returns of investment and progress, participating communities require evidence of the proposed benefits, and Water Fund managers require information to strengthen models and adapt management practices to changing environmental and socioeconomic conditions. Accordingly, robust monitoring programs are essential for validating that a given Water Fund is generating the environmental, economic, and social impacts it was designed to produce and to identify challenges and adapt the approach to address them.
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Why is linking monitoring results to decision-making important?
Jorge Sarmiento Léon from The Nature Conservancy describes the role of monitoring in decision-making
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Can you share a few examples of the types of monitoring that are currently being implemented in Water Funds?
Jonathan Higgins from The Nature Conservancy shares a few examples of existing WF M&E programs
A Guide to Monitoring and Evaluating Water Funds
Water funds are a compelling idea, but after more than a decade of implementing them, we have little evidence that water funds truly benefit people and nature. To move from faith to fact, we need evidence, and this requires what is sometimes called “measures” but what is more widely (and accurately) known as “monitoring and evaluation.” This is a guide for monitoring and evaluation of water funds. It is aimed at designers of new water funds and managers of existing water funds. It is a blend of monitoring and evaluation guidance, new ideas, and sage advice.
LEARN MORE

Video
Monitoring and Evaluation Programs
Watch this WFN webinar to learn more about monitoring costs, best practices, and data management.
Key Resources
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A Guide to Monitoring and Evaluating Water Funds
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Guía para el monitoreo y la evaluación de Fondos de Agua
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Um guia para monitoramento e avaliação dos fundos de água
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A Primer for Monitoring Water Funds
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Measuring the Effectiveness of Water Funds
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Bridging Theory and Practice for Hydrological Monitoring in Water Funds