MERA
Accountability
Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Accountability (MERA) is our government-aligned framework for auditable, transparent restoration data.
Overview
MERA delivers auditable, interoperable data that guides adaptive management and shows impact across restoration landscapes. It brings together geospatial, biophysical, socioeconomic and financial data to support evidence-based decisions and public accountability.
Purpose
We use MERA to quantify landscape-scale outcomes, validate ecological and social impact, and provide donor-grade reporting aligned with Kenya Forest Service and Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry reporting protocols and national climate commitments.
What we measure
A focused set of indicators, reported at defined intervals and broken down by group where relevant.
- Hectares restored
- 12-month tree survival
- Seedlings produced and distributed
- Carbon estimates (tCO2e)
- Households reached
- Participation of women and youth
- Watershed health
- Community Forest Association stewardship status
How we collect data
Geospatial monitoring
High-resolution satellite change detection, GIS polygons and GPS-referenced sample plots.
Field sampling
Stratified random plots, standardised survival and growth surveys, biodiversity transects and hydrological spot checks.
Digital and community monitoring
Mobile data collection, time-stamped geotagged imagery and community scorecards.
Socioeconomic methods
Household surveys and focus groups on livelihoods and benefit-sharing.
Financial tracking
Segregated custodial accounts, transaction logs and donor-grade reconciliations linked to outputs.
Governance and quality
MERA outputs are reviewed by the Technical Working Group and escalated to the Joint Implementation Committee. Misitu Milele hosts the Secretariat, which collates data, runs quality checks and publishes results. Periodic third-party verification and independent audits validate our methods and results.
Reporting
We prepare Quarterly Implementation Briefs and an Annual Performance Report with audited financials. Technical annexes (sampling protocols, carbon accounting notes and our data governance policy) and impact dashboards are available on request. Sensitive personal data is protected under our data governance and FPIC commitments.
Community participation
Communities and Community Forest Associations co-produce the data through participatory monitoring, simple mobile forms and training in basic GIS and data stewardship. Grievance redress and feedback loops are built into MERA to ensure accountability and local ownership.
Request data or reports
Ask our Secretariat for indicator data, methodology notes or reports. Requests are handled in line with our data governance policy and FPIC commitments.