Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems are essential for accountability, learning, and evidence-based decision-making in development, yet they often face systemic and contextual challenges. This article examines key obstacles, including resource constraints, data quality concerns, stakeholder resistance, program complexity, and cultural variability. It also highlights ethical issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and respect for local norms. Practical solutions discussed include resource mobilization, capacity building, process simplification, and culturally responsive approaches. Digital tools such as mobile platforms and remote data collection are emphasized as valuable innovations for overcoming barriers in low-resource or hard-to-reach contexts. By combining methodological rigor, ethical integrity, and contextual adaptability, the article argues that challenges in M&E can be effectively managed. Addressing these barriers strengthens both the credibility and the usability of findings, ensuring that development programs remain accountable, relevant, and sustainable.
Anna Neya Kazanskaia (Wed,) studied this question.