In July 2026, the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET), an implementing partner of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI), will launch the Climate MEL Systems Academy, a five-day intensive program designed to equip experienced evaluators and practitioners with the tools and frameworks needed to evaluate climate transitions as complex systems. The Academy will take place July 13–17, 2026, at the University of Bern, Switzerland, and is being developed in collaboration with several IPDET partners.
The program responds to a recognized gap in the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) field: while climate commitments have expanded, the ability to generate and use evidence effectively across complex, interconnected systems remains limited. Data and tools exist but are often fragmented or disconnected from real decision-making processes. The Academy is designed for practitioners ready to move beyond project-level approaches and engage with the systemic dimensions of climate action.
Over the course of the week, participants will frame and analyze a climate transition challenge within its broader system, examine power dynamics and institutional constraints shaping climate outcomes, and develop a practical, system-level MEL framework — including evidence flows and theory of change.
“Climate transitions are not just technical challenges; they are systemic processes shaped by institutions, incentives, and real-world constraints. Strengthening how we design and use evidence within these systems is essential if evaluation is to meaningfully support climate action,” said Dr. Candice Morkel, Head of Program, IPDET.
A dedicated convening session will bring together participants and partners to reflect on the evolving role of evaluators in climate transitions and contribute to an emerging framework for competencies in climate MEL.
Practitioners can apply on the IPDET website. The application deadline is June 5, 2026.
