Implementing the BalanceD-MERL Approach in the Women + Water Global Development Alliance

The Balanced Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (BalanceD-MERL) consortium, under the U.S. Global Development Lab’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning Innovations (MERLIN) program at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is identifying solutions to the D-MERL challenges posed when resources are limited but programs or country contexts are complex. This document describes the 15-month technical assistance provided to the Women + Water Global Development Alliance (Women + Water) and resultant learning and recommendations. Commencing in 2017, Women + Water is a five-year collaboration among USAID, Gap, Inc., CARE, the International Center for Research on Women, Water.org, and the Institute for Sustainable Communities. The goal of their collaboration is to improve and sustain the health and well-being of women and communities touched by the apparel industry.