AUTHOR: Michael Zhiqiang CHEN, HANDA Social Service Development Center

I am thrilled to see the official release of the Chinese version of the MEAL DPro Guide. This translation marks a significant milestone in bridging global best practices with China’s vibrant and fast-growing social sector, making the internationally recognized expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning accessible and actionable for Chinese-speaking practitioners.

Across the Chinese nonprofit landscape, the absence of a systematic and effective MEAL framework remains a persistent and urgent challenge. Many organizations struggle to meaningfully track progress, learn in real time, and transparently demonstrate their impact. In an environment where accountability to communities, donors, and stakeholders is increasingly crucial, the lack of robust MEAL practices often results in projects operating in the dark—unable to prove their value or adapt meaningfully to changing needs. The release of this Chinese edition of MEAL DPro is therefore exceptionally timely, responding directly to a long-standing and widespread demand.

This guide addresses a deep-seated need among Chinese practitioners for practical, structured, and culturally resonant guidance. From grassroots project staff to organizational leaders, many have felt the acute pressure to navigate complex donor expectations, design realistic logical models, collect credible data, and—most importantly—translate that data into actionable insights for program improvement. These challenges are real, and the stakes—for both project quality and public trust—are high. It supports the transition from well-intentioned efforts to outcomes-driven, accountable, and learning-oriented practice. It is, in essence, a vital step toward greater professionalism, credibility, and impact across China’s social sector.