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International Partnerships

What is monitoring?

We monitor our interventions during their entire cycle to support decision-making. The objective is to identify potential problems and take corrective action. Monitoring can focus on the following areas

  1. financial, contractual compliance and disbursement
  2. implementation progress (input/activities/outputs)
  3. achievement of objectives and results

Monitoring encompasses different elements. Interventions must have internal monitoring arrangements that allow operational managers to stay informed on the status of the intervention. Their purpose is to

  • support effective and timely management of an intervention and the related risks
  • inform and support reporting on results and evidence-based decision making (for example taking corrective measures when necessary)
  • support policy dialogue
  • support communication and transparency
  • provide accountability for resources used
  • contribute to learning lessons (to improve future interventions)
  • facilitate the evaluation of interventions

Although monitoring is an internal activity, it can also be supported by external experts who provide recommendations and contribute to lessons learnt. At the European Commission, this support is called ‘Results Oriented Monitoring’ (ROM).

Results Oriented Monitoring

ROM provides Commission staff and implementing partners with a rapid assessment of project performance, as well as support setting up a solid monitoring and evaluation system. Monitoring missions by independent experts provide an external, objective and impartial assessment of selected interventions.

ROM experts assess interventions according to 8 monitoring criteria

  • the 4 OECD-DAC criteria of relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability
  • 4  criteria related to
    • the quality of the intervention logic and monitoring systems
    • coordination,complementarity and EU added value
    • cross-cutting issues
    • communication and visibility

Yearly, the knowledge generated through ROM services is consolidated in analyses, tailored to the operational needs of Commission services. 

ROM covers all types of interventions except budget support. In 2021, ROM services took into account the specific features of blending operations and joint implementation. They are being adapted for Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs)

Remote monitoring is available in insecure areas and, in case of travel restrictions, can be implemented using IT tools and a large network of external experts based in the countries of intervention.

The ROM Handbook (available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese) as well as brochures explaining the ROM services are published on our learning and knowledge management platform, Capacity4Dev.