Complexity-Aware Monitoring and Evaluation

Background: Addressing today’s sustainability challenges requires adopting a systemic approach where social and ecological systems are treated as integrated social-ecological systems. Such systems are complex, and the international development sector increasingly recognises the need to account for the complexity of the systems that they seek to transform. Purpose: This paper sketches out the elements of a complexity-aware monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for international development programmes in the area of sustainable development.  Setting: Not applicable. Data Collection and Analysis: The authors draw on existing literature on complexity and evaluation and on their own experience from working in the field of M&E. Findings: An ME and this challenges established notions of accountability—something which funders and implementers must begin to redefine together. Keywords: monitoring; evaluation; complexity; social-ecological systems; international development programmes; narratives for change; theory of change