In her work in evaluations, strategic planning, and workshop facilitation, Meg Gawler systematically strives to include informal training opportunities, in order to build capacity and enhance learning for the key stakeholders in these exercises.

In addition, Meg provides training courses, including one at WWF International for conservation professionals from all over the world, in project design and project cycle management. Emphasis is placed on highly participatory techniques, so that participants actively discover learning experiences together. A case study illustrates challenges common in the contexts of developing countries. Participants leave with a better understanding of the key ingredients for project success, common pitfalls to avoid, the factors that help ensure project sustainability, the challenges of setting robust indicators, and a sense of how to manage the project cycle, including monitoring and evaluation. This course could be adapted to other organizations, who wish to sharpen their skills in project design, monitoring, and evaluation.

Other training courses include time and self management, programme strategic planning, organizational strategic planning, and participatory monitoring and evaluation targeting the involvement of young people in programme evaluation.

COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS

WWF Project Design Course

(Source: training evaluation forms on file at WWF International)

I very strongly recommend this course for other staff!! I loved the course and the facilitator. She is competent, flexible, and patient, using a participatory approach.

- Participant from Tanzania

Trainer was very warm and motivating, and ensured that the group came together well, and the environment encouraged questions and learning. Thanks for a great course!

- Participant from Switzerland

The instructor, Meg Gawler, is very clear and dominates the subject.

- Participant from Brazil

It was not only useful and good work, but also fun!

- Participant from Switzerland

The course will improve my efficiency in project development. It concretized monitoring for me, which is one of my responsibilities.

- Participant from Kenya

I don’t have enough English words to express my appreciation of you!

- Participant from Russia

The course will help me to identify the right questions about stakeholders, and factors ensuring sustainability. It was very relevant for me.

- Participant from Madagascar

Very inspiring and useful, mainly in the monitoring and evaluation of our achievement.

- Participant from Indonesia

One of the course strengths was using examples – it was not all theoretical. It is really useful to do courses like this which equip you with flexible tools to improve work / conservation performance.

- Participant from New Zealand

It was a great learning experience. I will definitely push for our office to implement some of these ideas.

- Participant from Kenya

This course is very useful for staff who work at the field level.

- Participant from Nepal

This was an eye-opener for planning procedures. I would recommend this course for 100% of project / programme staff.

- Participant from Austria

The course was well formulated, to the point, and interactive. It will help me with better formulation, implementation and evaluation of present and future projects.

- Participant from India

I particularly liked the emphasis on teamwork and participation.

- Participant from Italy

I benefited tremendously.

- Participant from Malaysia

The course contents were impressive, with good handouts and preparation. I enjoyed working in a team with such a wonderful facilitator.

- Participant from Pakistan

This course will help me directly – with project development, monitoring, and arranging for evaluations. I leave here more confident than before.

- Participant from Kenya

Exceptional facilitation – the course was so much better / more interesting than I imagined! The experiential learning approach made the subject matter seem easier, and maximized learning from other participants.

- Participant from Switzerland

TRAINING COURSES given by Meg Gawler, 2000 - 2006
When	Subject	Client	Language	Where
12/00	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
01/01	Self and time management	IUCN	English	Switzerland
04/01, 04/01- 05/01, 05/01	Strategic planning 1 Applied logical framework methodology (7 training courses with different teams) Strategic planning 2	Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat	French	France
10/01	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
12/01	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
03/02	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
06/02	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
11/02	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
01/03	Strategic planning - Applied logical framework methodology integrating management, finance, administration, human resources and communications	Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat	French	France
05/03	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
10/03	Participatory monitoring and evaluation	UNICEF	English	Moldova
11/03	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
12/03	Participatory monitoring and evaluation	UNICEF	English	Azerbaijan
02/04	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
08/04	Participatory monitoring and evaluation	UNICEF	English	Belarus
09/04	Participatory monitoring and evaluation	UNICEF	English	Georgia
09/04	Participatory monitoring and evaluation	UNICEF	English	FYR Macedonia
10/04	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland
10/04	Participatory monitoring and evaluation	UNICEF	English	Albania
02/05	Project design and project cycle management	WWF Int.	English	Switzerland