On July 7–9, ECHO Asia’s Impact Center in Chiang Mai became a vibrant hub for collaboration and learning as leaders from 16 organizations, from grassroots NGOs to top research teams, gathered for the Global Holistic MEAL Symposium. Their shared goal was to explore how Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) can help drive holistic development across communities.
“This event showed the power of ECHO as a convening organization,” reflected Gerrianne, ECHO’s new MEAL lead. “We’re not just collecting data, we’re building trust, sharing lessons, and multiplying impact.”
A Space for Shared Learning
The symposium started with a lively “World Café” where participants shared their MEAL journeys, including the challenges, successes, and lessons learned. Case studies spotlighted practical tools, from qualitative partner assessments to FAO’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE), and innovative data models to track change over time. A key theme rang clear: strong MEAL practices let organizations focus on what truly makes a difference in people’s lives, fostering shared growth and community impact.
One attendee summed it up:
“I feel less alone now. No matter our organization’s size, we share the same challenges.”
Co-Creating Solutions
Day two moved to a collaborative charrette, with teams tackling urgent MEAL priorities: defining the right metrics, ensuring data quality, and designing actionable implementation. The session generated real-world strategies and best practices to be shared in an upcoming ECHO white paper, reflecting vibrant collective innovation.
Trust-Based Philanthropy: A Convergence of Trust, Stories, and Impact
On the final morning, a panel on trust-based philanthropy highlighted how stories, statistics, and organizational trust go hand in hand. The discussion featured Scott Sabin, President of Plant With Purpose, who shared how his organization grew from tracking impact for five families in the Dominican Republic to comprehensive evaluations across all families served. It was a shift that revealed fuller stories of success and opportunity.
“Without knowing how we’re doing, we can’t do anything with confidence,” Sabin explained. “While MEAL is sometimes viewed as optional, it’s actually the compass that guides our organization.” Plant With Purpose’s commitment to meaningful impact measurement propelled growth from $5M in revenue in 2020 to $14M in 2025, a change Sabin attributes to major donors prioritizing measurable results.
Participants reflected on key takeaways, identified barriers to implementing trust-based philanthropy, and committed to action steps in their own contexts.
The event closed with a farewell dinner on the banks of the Ping River, a fitting end to three days of connection, reflection, and vision-casting.
Why Collaboration Matters
Beyond the workshops and panels, the symposium deepened a spirit of belonging and encouragement. One participant shared:
“This was a fruitful time of learning. It’s challenged us to keep revising and improving our MEAL program.”
For Gerrianne, the experience confirmed:
“We can learn from the mistakes and replicate the successes of brilliant organizations around the table and begin this journey filled with motivation and inspiration.”
Looking Ahead
The conversations and connections sparked in Chiang Mai will continue through the release of the symposium whitepaper, future training opportunities, and ongoing collaboration across the network.
At ECHO, we believe measuring what matters is more than collecting data. It’s about listening, learning, and walking alongside communities to co-create lasting change.
Interested in learning more? Visit ECHOcommunity.org for access to resources, new research, and upcoming event announcements.
