The Effective Development Group (EDG) is a consultancy firm specialising in the design and promotion of innovative monitoring and evaluation systems for aid interventions. EDG has extensive experience in conducting strategic evaluations of country, regional, thematic and sector portfolios, as well as in training development practitioners in M&E skills. We work with governments, donors, foundations and private companies to make sure their contribution creates real and sustainable change. Our approach is premised on three core elements. It utilises mixed-methods to triangulate analysis and provide comprehensive understanding. It is at all times explicitly evidence-based. It is fundamentally grounded in a realistic and informed understanding of local opportunities and challenges.

Since our establishment in 2003 we have conducted over 120 assignments in more than 26 countries for bilateral, multilateral, NGO and government clients. Major current clients include the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the European Commission (EC), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the New Zealand Agency for International Aid (NZAID), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the World Bank (WB).

EDG’s overall objective is to improve the effectiveness of development interventions; it focuses on developing simple methodologies and practical tools, based on common sense and participatory approaches to design and conduct M&E activities. We use widely shared methodologies such as the Logical Framework Analysis, DAC evaluation principles and ‘the Most Significant Change’ techniques, as well as in-house developed practical tools such as the Outcome Monitoring Summary (OMS). EDG has also been instrumental in the practical development and implementation of the SIDA Reality Check Approach.

EDG’s experience in managing international development projects has afforded it well-developed, robust systems and processes to provide effective Quality Assurance (QA), project management and backstopping support. EDG is also a part of the GRM International Group and can draw on their extensive experience and scale management and accounting systems to deliver projects effectively and efficiently.