Training by The MERL Tech Initiative

*We work at intersection of MERL, the social sector, digital technologies and human-centered information and comms.*

Who we are

The MERL Tech Initiative (MTI) is a social venture that sits at the intersection of digital technology, human-centered information and communication, and the social sector. We support thoughtful tech-enabled program design, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL). We help organizations with responsible, ethical, realistic design, use, and governance of digital technologies and digital data to achieve better outcomes.

Our training options

MTI offers a diverse menu of training modules that can be mixed and matched based on your individual interests or your organization’s specific needs. Covering everything from foundational concepts to advanced applications, our trainings can be delivered virtually, in-person, or in hybrid formats.

We work as a collaborative group of consultants with decades of experience in digitally-enabled programs and holistic MERL. Our expertise includes digital strategy, digital transformation, data governance, data privacy policy and practice, design research, trust and safety, safeguarding, digital risk assessment, gender, youth, digital inclusion, human centered design, behavioral design, evaluation capacity building, and meta-evaluation. Get to know our team.

Training we currently offer includes:

AI experimentation and adoption: training and ongoing support for teams and organizations who want to do hands-on testing and piloting of AI or other digital tools in their MERL, programming, grant making or overall operations.
AI-enabled MERL: training modules combine theoretical foundations with practical applications to support individuals and organizations to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in evaluation work
GenAI and Social and Behavioral Change (SBC): this training provides practitioners with a high-level understanding of the state of the field of AI in SBC programming – from using AI for SBC intervention design, to AI powered chatbots for community members, to key ethical considerations and useful resources.
Digital Data and AI for African MERL: this training is designed to meet the specific needs and interests of Africa-based MERL practitioners; it builds from a landscape study and responds to discussions happening in our AI and African MERL Working Group.
Feminist approaches to AI for MERL: these trainings focus on the connection between gender, MERL and AI, including uses and critiques of AI through a gender lens and from practical experience; real cases and examples of AI use in MERL of gender programs; resources and support to adopting, testing, and evaluating AI in MERL work for gender programs.
Digital Safeguarding and Data Protection: this training covers responsible design, use, and governance of digital technologies and digital data, helping organizations improve data privacy, protection and safeguarding (including for vulnerable populations such as children and when working in difficult contexts) and comply with emerging data privacy and AI regulations.
And more… Let us know if there are other training modules you’d like to see or if you need customized training or a mix of training and ongoing support and advisory!

We can mix and match our skills and expertise to develop an offering tailored to your needs! We also offer ongoing support, advisory, and accompaniment services alongside our training modules.

Get in touch

Professionals and/or organizations who are interested in receiving training from The MERL Tech Initiative can contact us by completing this form or writing to hello@merltech.org.

Individuals: Our trainings are designed to support individuals working in development, humanitarian, human rights, peace building, and philanthropy sectors who are interested in deepening their skills and knowledge. We support individuals who may not have a technical background by sharing complex, opaque concepts related to digital technologies and data in accessible ways. We work to equip professionals to better assess and evaluate the uses of digital technologies and AI in their work. Professionals can learn about upcoming training opportunities – including the expected curriculum and costs – by completing this form.
Organizations: We customize all training content to ensure relevance to your organization’s specific context, incorporating tailored use cases and case studies that resonate with your team’s work. Our offerings are flexible and scalable—beyond standalone training modules, we provide accompaniment and advisory services to support your organization’s initiatives from conception through implementation.

Our trainings are delivered by experienced practitioners with deep expertise in both MERL and digital technologies. We emphasize responsible, ethical approaches that prioritize people, communities, and societies while maximizing the benefits of data and digital technologies.