This project aims to strengthen capacity of Safe Online’s grantees to implement high quality monitoring, evaluation and learning. IDS provides training, tailored technical support, mentoring and facilitation of a Community of Practice to help a global ecosystem of organisations generate and use evidence more effectively in online child safety programming.

About the project

MEL Capacity Building and Learning Accompaniment for Safe Online Grantees is an IDS-led learning programme for Safe Online, the only global investment vehicle dedicated to keeping children safe in the digital world. The project supports 100s of Safe Online grantees by strengthening their monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) systems and their capacity to generate and use evidence. In parallel, IDS supports the SafeOnline MEL lead in strengthening portfolio level MEL.

What IDS is doing

IDS is designing and delivering a comprehensive MEL capacity building offer tailored to Safe Online grantees. The work includes reviewing capacity needs, developing a detailed training curriculum, producing guidance materials and tools, and facilitating MEL capacity building webinars. The project also provides tailored technical support and mentorship to grantees to help them strengthen MEL plans, improve monitoring data collection and analysis in real time, and support evidence generation on what works to tackle online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA).

Learning, support and community

The project combines portfolio-level learning with direct support to grantees. IDS supports the development of Standard Operating Procedures on MEL, participatory monitoring and assessment of capacity building activities, and the establishment of a MEL Community of Practice to encourage peer learning and exchange across the Safe Online portfolio. The work has included online learning sessions, cohort and 1:1 support, reflective activities, and practical guidance for grantees working in different regions and organisational contexts.

Current phase

The project started in February 2025 and has been extended to November 2026. The extension, based on successful completion of the first phase of work, broadened tailored support to up to 30 grantees, includes additional webinars and continued work on the Community of Practice, and supports the development of portfolio-level MEL guidance and learning products. IDS is also preparing learning outputs reflecting on capacity building activities and achievements.