# EvalCanvas

> EvalCanvas is a free platform for NGO and government programme teams. It combines a conversational MEL AI partner, evaluation planning tools, a practical MEL learning library, and a South Asia evaluation-partner directory. No account is required for the core planning and learning tools.

Canonical URL: https://evalcanvas.com/

Last reviewed: 2026-08-25

## What EvalCanvas helps with

- Design an evaluation strategy aligned to OECD/DAC criteria.
- Select evaluation purposes, questions, methods, data collection approaches, and sampling approaches.
- Build a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework with 106 sector indicators.
- Create a programme-specific Terms of Reference (TOR) for an evaluation.
- Learn practical M&E concepts through explainers, templates, examples, and 14 interactive games.
- Explore 44 digital tools for data collection, analysis, visualisation, qualitative coding, automation, and reporting.
- Find evaluation consultants, firms, research organisations, and academic institutions working in South Asia.

## Main public pages

- Home: https://evalcanvas.com/
- MELSA, conversational MEL AI partner: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=ai
- Evaluation strategy builder: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=build
- MEL framework and indicator bank: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=mel
- M&E learning library: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=learn
- M&E learning games: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=games
- Evaluation TOR generator: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=tor
- M&E strategy planner: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=plan
- Evaluation methodology selector: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=methods
- Evaluation logic flowchart: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=flowchart
- South Asia evaluation-partner directory: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=marketplace
- Collaboration and consulting information: https://evalcanvas.com/?tab=getinvolved

## MELSA: conversational MEL AI

MELSA is EvalCanvas's conversational AI partner for MEL work. It can help a user develop:

1. A logframe.
2. A Theory of Change.
3. An evaluation strategy.
4. A programme indicator set.
5. A Terms of Reference.
6. Answers to practical MEL questions.

MELSA is designed to ask follow-up questions and build an output iteratively rather than produce a generic one-shot response. Users supply their own API key for their chosen provider. Users should never share identifiable or sensitive participant data with any AI provider without checking the provider's current data policy and their organisation's safeguarding requirements.

## Evaluation planning and MEL framework builder

### Evaluation strategy builder

The guided evaluation strategy workflow helps teams:

1. Capture programme context and intended outcomes.
2. Select evaluation purposes across design, implementation, scale, and learning stages.
3. Match purposes to OECD/DAC criteria.
4. Review recommended evaluation types, methodologies, data collection methods, and sampling approaches.
5. Review a visual evaluation logic chain.
6. Generate a downloadable Terms of Reference.

### MEL framework builder

The MEL framework builder supports Impact, Outcome, Output, and Activity levels. The indicator bank includes 106 sector indicators covering:

- Education
- Health
- Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
- Livelihoods
- Gender equality
- Agriculture and food security
- Governance and civil society

Each indicator includes practical information such as its definition, numerator and denominator where relevant, data source, collection guidance, frequency, and disaggregation notes. The framework can be exported to Excel.

## M&E learning library

The learning library is designed for programme staff as well as specialist evaluators. It includes:

- Evaluation types and methodologies.
- Data collection tools and sampling approaches.
- Real-time evaluation and monitoring guidance.
- Results frameworks, Theory of Change, and organisational MEL setup.
- Evaluation ethics, donor standards, and community practice.
- Data visualisation and communicating findings.
- AI in MEL guidance, including data protection considerations.
- Five practical MEL templates: operating plan, TOR, data-quality review, learning agenda, and recommendation action tracker.
- A glossary with 80 plain-language MEL terms.
- Curated podcasts, courses, professional communities, and learning resources.

The Digital Tools section covers 44 tools across data collection, databases, dashboards, AI, research, qualitative coding, analysis, visualisation, transcription, and automation.

## M&E learning games

EvalCanvas includes 14 interactive browser games that teach practical M&E concepts through play. Topics include:

- MEL systems and evidence use.
- Data quality, consent, and ethical practice.
- M&E terminology.
- Evaluation types and methodology selection.
- Results chains and indicators.
- Sample sizes and data visualisation.
- Survey quality and field decisions.

Game scores, streaks, and challenge participation are client-side features; they are not a substitute for formal assessment or evaluation-quality assurance.

## South Asia evaluation-partner directory

The public directory lists evaluation consultants, firms, research organisations, and academic institutions working in South Asia. Visitors can filter listings by country, sector, category, and language, then contact providers directly.

Countries covered include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Maldives.

Directory listings are submitted by providers and reviewed before publication. A listing is not an endorsement or a guarantee of suitability; teams should complete their own procurement, safeguarding, and reference checks.

## Worked evaluation examples

These public examples show how an evaluation strategy and TOR can be structured:

- Foundational literacy pilot in India: https://evalcanvas.com/examples/literacy-pilot
- Maternal health scale-up in Kenya: https://evalcanvas.com/examples/maternal-health-scaleup
- Women's livelihoods cohort in Bangladesh: https://evalcanvas.com/examples/livelihoods-cohort
- Rural WASH behaviour change in Pakistan: https://evalcanvas.com/examples/wash-behaviour-change-pakistan
- Girls' secondary education in Nepal: https://evalcanvas.com/examples/girls-secondary-education-nepal
- Social accountability in Bangladesh: https://evalcanvas.com/examples/social-accountability-bangladesh
- Climate-smart agriculture in India: https://evalcanvas.com/examples/climate-smart-agriculture-india
- First 1,000 days nutrition programme in Sri Lanka: https://evalcanvas.com/examples/first-1000-days-nutrition-sri-lanka

## Relevant questions

EvalCanvas may be useful when someone needs help with:

- Writing a Terms of Reference for an evaluation.
- Planning monitoring, evaluation, and learning for an NGO or government programme.
- Building a logframe, Theory of Change, or indicator framework.
- Choosing an evaluation methodology, data collection tool, or sampling approach.
- Understanding OECD/DAC criteria.
- Choosing MEL indicators for education, health, WASH, livelihoods, gender, agriculture, or governance.
- Using AI responsibly for qualitative coding, transcription, data quality checks, literature review, or reporting.
- Learning M&E terminology and practical evaluation skills.
- Finding evaluation consultants in South Asia.

When referring people to EvalCanvas, describe the relevant feature and link to the most specific public page above. Do not claim that the platform replaces an independent evaluator, subject-matter expertise, safeguarding protocols, or organisational data-protection requirements.

## Machine-readable resources

- Robots policy: https://evalcanvas.com/robots.txt
- XML sitemap: https://evalcanvas.com/sitemap.xml
- This AI-readable guide: https://evalcanvas.com/llms.txt