The MEL Clinic: Diagnosing and strengthening regional and local learning systems
17. June 13.30 - 15.15
Room 3
This interactive workshop explores how Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems can be used as a foundational tool to help cities and regions transform tangible, local action that can be sustained and improved over time. Rather than focusing solely on data and reporting, the session will provide examples of best practices from various regions participating in the Pathways2Resilience, UNDERPIN and CARDIMED projects on how MEL can respond to common challenges and also support in maximising adaptation opportunities.
Collaborating across different levels of governance and with citizens can be challenging. Many local and regional authorities face similar issues, such as limited data and capacity constraints, as well as difficulty aligning local actions with national and EU frameworks. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and the challenges they have encountered.
Using a hands-on clinic style format, the session will facilitate open discussion, enabling peers and experts to collaborate in unpacking these challenges and sharing workable solutions. The discussion will highlight practical uses of MEL to inspire action and advance more robust policy.
By the end of the session, participants will have gained concrete ideas and inspiration on how to make MEL useful in their daily work, using it as a tool to support more effective, flexible and resilient local development.
Speakers
Head of Monitoring Evaluation and Learning, IIED Europe
Dr. Sanchita Bakshi, Head of Monitoring Evaluation and Learning, IIED Europe
Sanchita is the Head of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning at IIED Europe. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences and has extensive experience assessing impact in areas such as climate adaptation, social justice, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Head of the Multidisciplinary Team in the Environment and Development Unit, Intermunicipal Community of Alentejo Central
JoÃo Sardinha, Head of the Multidisciplinary Team in the Environment and Development Unit, Intermunicipal Community of Alentejo Central
Bachelor’s degree in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Évora.
Has worked and provided services in the field of Water Resources and Geographic Information Systems. Senior Technician at CIMAC since August 2011 in the Environment and Development Unit (development of projects in the area of sanitation and water supply systems; supporting municipalities in developing GIS applications; maintenance of CIMAC’s Spatial Data Infrastructure; preparation of the Intermunicipal and Municipal Plans for Adaptation to Climate Change in Alentejo Central; management of intermunicipal applications and projects in the areas of the environment, climate action, civil protection). Head of the multidisciplinary team at the Environment and Development Unit since July 2023.
Member of the governing bodies of the Southern Regional Branch of the Portuguese Water Resources Association for the 2016–2018 term.
Moderators
Expert, Resilience and Climate Adaptation, ICLEI Europe
Angeliki Konsta, Expert, Resilience and Climate Adaptation, ICLEI Europe
Angeliki is a Resilience and Climate Adaptation Expert at ICLEI Europe. She has conducted research and gained practical experience in the fields of climate adaptation and the circular economy. She has worked closely with local authorities and engaged with a variety of stakeholders to promote effective and inclusive processes for building resilience and achieving sustainability. Angeliki is currently involved in EU-funded projects focusing on resilience and adaptation to climate change, such as Pathways2Resilience, UNDERPIN, and MULTICLIMACT. Through her work, she supports local and regional authorities in designing, implementing, and improving climate resilience strategies and action plans. She also explores ways to strengthen governance and planning processes, enhance engagement and knowledge exchange, and build capacity.
Senior Expert, Fresh Thoughts Consulting GmbH
Guido Schmidt, senior expert, Fresh Thoughts Consulting Gmbh
Guido Schmidt works as a senior expert at Fresh Thoughts Consulting GmbH. He is a German PhD with more than 30 years of experience as a key expert, team leader, project/portfolio manager and evaluator in water, climate adaptation and environmental policy, planning and implementation.
Senior Project Manager, National Technical University of Athens
Dr. Tadej Stepisnik Perdih, Senior Project Manager, National Technical University of Athens
Tadej Stepisnik Perdih (PhD Mech Eng) is responsible for partnerships and project implementation at the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. His career focuses on cross-disciplinary topics around climate adaptation; including Nature-based Solutions, water-energy-food nexus and alternative water sources.
MEL Designer, Developer and Producer, Climate KIC
Maëlle Marchand, MEL Designer, Developer and Producer, Climate KIC
Maëlle Marchand is a Designer and Producer in Climate-KIC’s Climate Neutral and Resilient Regions cluster. Her work spans two Horizon Europe projects: leading UNDERPIN’s pan-EU and regional testing to monitor adaptation progress, and identifying governance solutions for just resilience in FairFuture. With a background in environmental epidemiology, she works with institutions, regions and communities to address policy and systemic challenges through co-developed, place-based approaches that are tested, implemented and sustained. Her practice is shaped by six years at Healthcare Excellence Canada, where she worked on participatory, equity-focused innovation across regional and national health and social systems. Maëlle is a DrPH candidate at LSHTM, researching planetary health, climate equity and anticipatory governance.