Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework – UK at Festival Internacional Cervantino 2025

Project summary

The Festival Internacional Cervantino (FIC), held annually in Guanajuato, Mexico, is one of the most prestigious cultural events in Latin America. For its 53rd edition in October 2025, the United Kingdom is the Guest Country of Honour. In this context, the British Council commissioned KEA European Affairs to design and implement a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework to assess the outcomes and impact of the UK’s participation. The evaluation focuses on short-term outcomes such as increased visibility of UK culture, professional exchange, capacity-building, and sustainability leadership. It also aims to generate actionable insights for future cultural diplomacy efforts and festival partnerships.
  • Lead partnerKEA European Affairs
  • ClientBritish Council
  • Funding programmeBritish Council Arts & Culture / UK Government ODA
  • Period2025
  • RegionMexico / UK
  • ServiceResearch
  • Statusongoing

KEA's contribution

KEA is responsible for designing and implementing the MEL framework, including the Theory of Change, evaluation structure, and data collection tools. The team developed 13 evaluation questions and 38 KPIs, aligned with British Council strategic goals and SDG targets. KEA also coordinates stakeholder consultations, surveys, and qualitative interviews with artists, partners, and audiences. The evaluation will provide evidence-based insights into the UK’s cultural diplomacy impact, including visibility, collaboration, capacity-building, and sustainability leadership. KEA’s work supports strategic learning and accountability, contributing to future British Council programming and international cultural partnerships.

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