Module 2: Introduction to Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)

In this module, you will learn about monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) for TerraFund projects. 

This is the second training module that is required as part of your TerraFund project. You can access the other training modules from the right side of this page, under "Other Articles in this Section."

NOTE: This module includes a Knowledge Check; this is a form with a short quiz and a space to share YOUR questions with the team. Any questions you put here will be used by the team to shape our discussion at the upcoming meeting that will follow this module. We really encourage you to take the quiz and to share your questions - they will help everyone in the cohort learn together and help the TerraFund team refine their approach!

Module Outline

Introduction to TerraFund MRV

Knowledge Check - MRV Principles

Additional Resources and Q & A from the Introductory Webinar

Introduction to TerraFund MRV

Since TerraFund’s inception in 2022, WRI and partners have iteratively refined the MRV framework using established research, field-based trials and pilots, user-feedback sessions, and consistent versioning by WRI’s TerraFund team. For TerraFund, MRV is not just about meeting targets—it’s about ensuring every dollar invested creates meaningful ecological and social benefits.

This module will provide a foundational understanding of MRV within the TerraFund framework, essential for successful implementation of your restoration work.

Please watch the video below for an introduction to TerraFund MRV. You can find the slides from this presentation attached at the bottom of this page.

Key definitions:

• Monitoring: The process of collecting and analyzing data and information to measure progress toward specific goals that the restoration effort aims to achieve.​

• Reporting: Data collected from Champions through project, nursery, and site reports, which are submitted on TerraMatch in a standardized format every six months. ​

• Verification: Periodically subjecting reported information to some form of review, analysis or independent assessment to establish completeness and reliability.

Knowledge Check 

Review what you learned in this module, and share any questions, comments, or concerns on this topic, in our quiz and feedback form here!

Additional Resources and Q & A from the Introductory Webinar

Champions asked the questions below during the Welcome Webinar on 24 February; click the down arrow to review the TerraFund Team's answers.

The timelines on the presentation stated that planting should start from September to December. But we were informed during the project initiation meeting that planting should start in August. Which timeline are we going by?

Depending on your location, planting dates may vary slightly. However, the general plan is to target planting in the last quarter of 2026. If you are considering early planting, please reach out to our team for guidance.

In the event that an organization isn't directly developing nurseries but supporting women/youth group nurseries with planting material, will the organization create the nursery profile?

If you will continue to own them, you will need to create a nursery profile and report on them.If not, this should have been clarified and approved at the proposal stage with the TerraFund team.The team is available to guide you throughout the process.

I would like to check which logos should be included in our project materials such as reimbursement/ participant forms for the community?

Regarding the TerraFund logo, you will receive guidance in the coming months on how to use it in your external communications.

Will champions be supported with Polygon mapping tools? 3. Will you share with us reporting templates?

Yes, you will be supported in polygons' collection!We have a team on the ground to guide you and separate session coaching you on the same are planned!About reporting-Yes all reports are submitted via our reporting plaftform TerraMatch and you will also guided on how you will submit your project reports

In TerraFund indicator there is Carbon sequastration. My question is to ask if all of our project will calculate carbon sequastrated? Will offer trainings on carbon sequastration calculation?

Your project currently does not have a specific indicator for carbon sequestration.

What do you recommend the champion that needs to conduct the baseline survey before we start the project?

It depends on what you want to assess. We recommend focusing on aspects that align with your core project proposal and that will inform decision-making during the implementation of this TerraFund project

In March we will have a nursery profile which main component does it have to include ?

There will be a dedicated training session covering this in detail. n summary, the nursery profile includes: Nursery Name: A unique and easily identifiable name Narrative Section: Description of the nursery’s characteristics and clarification on whether it is an expansion of an existing nursery or a newly created one. Numerical Section: Number of seedlings, species breakdown, and production start and end dates specific to the TerraFund project. Uploads: Images (including geotagged photos) and videos.

Will we use garmin machine to collect polygons or do you have a special app for the task?

We have specialized polygons collection android application called flority for all the champions. You will also have the chance to visualize the collected polygons using greenhouse. The aforementioned flority and greenhouse are specifically designed to support the TerraFund project. Thank you

I am assuming the polygon collection costs money, will TerraFund co-invest for such costs?

Polygon collection is part of the project activities, and the cost of implementation is also part of the project budget. In case you feel you had nit budgeted for that, contact your project manager to address that.

Looking landscape dynamics, is it possible to vary your planting approaches . e. g. you intended to plant 60% for agroforestry and 40% in protected areas but could you vary them to 40% for agroforestry and 60% in protected areas of landsacpe dynamics change.

As stated in your contract, the percentage for each intervention is clearly defined. If you would like to make any changes, please discuss them first with your dedicated TerraFund focal point before moving forward.

Aside from MRV, will there be in-person visit?

Yes, there will be in person visits in addition to MRV. We will communicate further details and timelines when the time comes

In the contract we do have to provide approval of land use documentation, I am just wonderling if in Rwanda we do have to do this since as the goverment has plan already in place, if yes could you support with key element to include 

Yes, the land document we mentioned refers to the site where your project will be implemented. If the land belongs to the community, do you have an agreement with them? If it is government land, could you provide a letter or agreement granting permission to carry out restoration in that area? The team is available to guide you as you finalize the land use agreement with the landowners

Article: The TerraFund Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification Framework

Article: Glossary: Monitoring, Reporting, & Verification

Byline:

Course Director 

Isabel Harrington, Capacity & Innovation Manager, Restoration Finance, USA

Content Contributors 

Kevin Nfor, GIS Associate, Restoration, Cameroon 

Joan Kimaiyo, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Data Associate, Restoration, Kenya

Reviewers  

Claire Shapiro, Product Specialist II, TerraMatch, USA

Gretta Ishyaka, Product Specialist, TerraMatch, Rwanda 

Will Anderson, Senior Portfolio Manager, Restoration Finance, USA

Citation: 

Snyder, Virginia, Tamara Coger, Dow Martin, Joan Kimaiyo, Kevin Nfor Ntani, Justine Spore, Jackson Ndera, John Brandt, Jessica Ertel, Sean DeWitt, Darby Levin, Benjamin Steiger, Sheila Okoth, William Addo, Edward Saenz, Will Anderson, Liza LePage, Jean Marie Ntakirutimana, Kalpana Giri, Neil Stein, and Noah Maghsadi. Land Restoration From Planting to Proof: A Guide to Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute, January 12, 2026. https://doi.org/10.46830/wrigb.24.00067.