Relief Applications

Expertise France - MEAL Data System for the EFOR Project

Expertise France commissioned Relief Applications to support the EFOR project in restructuring its Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) data system. Implemented across several regions in Tunisia, the project relied on multiple disconnected tools for activity tracking, beneficiary monitoring, indicator calculation, and reporting. The mission aimed to rationalise this ecosystem by designing a coherent data architecture, improving data quality and traceability, automating indicator computation, and enabling more strategic use of data for steering, learning and accountability. The support combined technical structuring, tool design, market exploration of dedicated data platforms, and hands-on capacity building for the project’s SERA focal point to ensure long-term sustainability and replicability.

Client
Expertise France
When
Jul 2025–Aug 2026
Team
1 person
Services
Info management & MEAL
Technologies
Google Drive, Google Sheets, ActivityInfo, Smartsheet, Airtable (comparative assessment)
Industry
Case Management, Educational, Scientific and Culture, Labour rights
SDGs
5. Gender equality, 8. Decent work and economic growth, 10. Reduced inequalities, 13. Climate action
Client website
expertisefrance.fr

Expertise France commissioned Relief Applications to support the EFOR project in restructuring its Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) data system. Implemented across several regions in Tunisia, the project relied on multiple disconnected tools for activity tracking, beneficiary monitoring, indicator calculation, and reporting. The mission aimed to rationalise this ecosystem by designing a coherent data architecture, improving data quality and traceability, automating indicator computation, and enabling more strategic use of data for steering, learning and accountability. The support combined technical structuring, tool design, market exploration of dedicated data platforms, and hands-on capacity building for the project’s SERA focal point to ensure long-term sustainability and replicability.

As the EFOR project expanded geographically and operationally, its data management system became increasingly fragmented. Information was spread across Excel matrices, regional datasets, narrative reports and manual calculations, limiting the project’s ability to track indicators consistently, produce timely reports, and capitalise on lessons learned. The absence of automation and standardisation significantly increased workload and risk of data inconsistencies.

Relief Applications adopted a diagnostic-led and co-construction approach in close collaboration with Expertise France. We reviewed existing documentation and tools, including the logical framework, MEAL plan, indicator matrices, OCD reports and regional “360” datasets, to understand data flows and constraints. In parallel, we explored dedicated data management platforms to inform long-term strategic choices. Based on operational realities, we designed an interim but robust and automated system, while accompanying the SERA focal point through targeted mentoring and practical guidance.

We delivered a structured and automated data management system covering the full MEAL data cycle. This included region-based data collection files, a central matrix linking activities to indicators, automated reporting templates (OCD), and an interactive dashboard. The system enables real-time consolidation, reduces manual processing, improves data reliability, and supports both operational monitoring and strategic decision-making.

The challenge

  • Fragmented data systems
  • Manual reporting processes
  • Limited scalability

What we did

  • Centralised data architecture
  • Automated indicator tracking
  • Scalable reporting system
MEAL Data System for the EFOR Project, Expertise France: screen 1 MEAL Data System for the EFOR Project, Expertise France: screen 2

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