THE AVERMENT GROUP - TAG
PROVIDING Psychologically informed Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Accountability and Learning (MERL / MEAL) services in conflict & violent AFFECTED, and fragile contexts.
What we do
We deliver robust evaluations, provide technical support, develop tools, enhance systems, and train teams to implement effective practices. We conduct research into complex rule of law, justice and humanitarian protection topics, providing psychological perspectives and approaches to inform prevention, mitigation and resolution approaches. We are experienced evaluation partners, supporting consortiums in successful tenders.
Our approach is grounded in participatory methods and systematic enquiry, ensuring the voices of vulnerable populations are meaningfully included in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Accountability (MERL / MEAL).
Areas of work
We work in conflict and violence affected, and fragile contexts. Our experience includes gangs, extremism and serious violence, international criminal law, hate speech and incitement to genocide, exploitation, migration, conflict related sexual violence and human rights. We are especially interested in groups and group identity.
Psychologically Safe MERL and MEAL
We use our psychological expertise to ensure that our MERL and MEAL approaches in conflict, violent and challenging contexts are trauma informed and psychologically safe as well as ethical and relevant. We conduct our work in a participatory, democratic manner that values genuine and meaningful participation and collaboration in the process.
WHAT IS A trauma informed approacH?
Trauma-informed approaches in the context of MERL activities lead with compassion and recognize the significant impact of trauma on individuals and communities. Facilitators using a trauma-informed approach aim to develop or restore a sense of safety, self-efficacy, connection, care, and empowerment with affected individuals. This care includes creating physically and emotionally safe and comfortable spaces for participants, validating one’s feelings, helping them connect with others, and offering information on services in the community.
Making cents international, 2023
Our goals
Our services focus on discovering evidence, demonstrating effective practice and exploring innovative approaches. We inspire, inform, and advance understanding and build effective practice.
“Meaningful participation is not just about inclusivity. It is about ethically and reasonably understanding all necessary dimensions and perspectives of change to tell the story that is needed, properly. MEAL and MERL activity could be much better informed by listening to affected populations, not just in creating context-appropriate, flexible, ethical and transparent methodology, but also in guiding a contextually-relevant conflict-related, trauma-informed approach.”
Dr rachel Horan, 2025.
