The power of training is fully realized when its benefits are multiplied.

Edmundo Echegoyen, a skilled and passionate Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist who leads this area of work for the project LibrES: For an El Salvador free of Gender-Based Violence, is a true example of the transformational power of training. LibrES is a USAID-funded project, led by Arizona State University, that works with 15 local organizations for an El Salvador without violence.

Edmundo is one of 216 participants who joined a highly engaging and innovative series of virtual training sessions designed and delivered by USAID/El Salvador’s regional MEL contract. For a year and a half, these monthly sessions offered content in an interactive, engaging way to refresh, expand, and upskill a cadre of MEL professionals serving USAID-funded activities in-country or regionally.

For Edmundo, these training sessions were more than just an opportunity to refresh and upskill: They also presented an opportunity to transfer the rich content to LibrES local partners to achieve its mandate in local institutional strengthening. Moreover, in Edmundo’s own words, “I not only learned the concepts and tools taught to me, but also the importance of methodology in transmitting that knowledge effectively.”

Gender indicators, ethical standards for data collection, and USAID’s latest Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy were the most pressing topics to transfer as these are central to what LibrES is trying to achieve. Armed with the training materials and the additional resources each session offered, Edmundo adapted and delivered customized versions of selected sessions to his local audience.

“I was able to adapt the content for different local organizations that are not directly USAID implementers, which allowed me to replicate what I learned in a clear and understandable way,” he recounts. In total, he reached 14 local organizations across three offerings on each topic.

While it is too early to assess the full multiplier effects of the training , 96 percent of local partner participants confirmed the relevance and applicability to their work.

Edmundo says he “feels proud to have been a bridge to strengthen local organizations by replicating  the knowledge acquired in the training delivered by the MEL Activity.” No doubt that “knowledge is power, but enthusiasm pulls the switch,” as the wise saying goes.