Announcing: Our Evolving Identity
A new name and branding for the Colmeal approach.
We are excited to share the new name and branding for the Colmeal approach.
What was previously known as CoLMEAL (Community-Led Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) is now simply Colmeal — a single, recognizable name that reflects the depth, accessibility and spirit of the approach.
Colmeal will be used with the tag-line ‘Led from within’ to reflect our shift from a technical MEAL focus to a community-led development approach rooted in local leadership and agency.
Why 'Colmeal'?
The former acronym, CoLMEAL, was long, difficult to translate, and didn’t fully represent the whole of process nature of the work.
'Colmeal' preserves continuity and recognition while giving the approach a clearer, more inclusive identity—one that is easier for communities, partners, and teams to use and share.
Why 'Led from within'?
'Led from within’ signals that Colmeal centers individuals and communities as the primary drivers of change, from defining problems to learning and adaptation.
The tagline “Led from within” reflects a clear shift in power, emphasizing that leadership and change come from communities themselves rather than being externally driven.
It is intentionally simple, human, and accessible—resonating across cultures and audiences while aligning with broader movements around localization, equity, and community agency.
It is flexible and future-facing, allowing Colmeal to evolve while remaining grounded in its core values.
About the Logo
The spiral aligns with the values at the heart of Colmeal: iterative learning, community leadership, and meaningful participation rooted in local experience.
How We'll Move Forward
Our principles, values, and process remain unchanged. The shift from ‘CoLMEAL’ to ‘Colmeal’ is about strengthening clarity and connection, not altering the approach itself.
What to expect next:
Progressive Updates: We will refresh documents and materials gradually to reflect the new name and branding. As you work with the approach moving forward, please refer to it and write it out as Colmeal.
No need to re-print materials: Previously printed resources remain valid; they can continue to be used without any issue.
No translation required: “Colmeal” is a proper name and should stay as is. It can be adapted into other alphabets when necessary (e.g. Cyrillic, Arabic script).
Ongoing communication: We’ll share updates as materials are revised, ensuring teams and partners stay aligned. For questions and support, please do not hesitate to reach out!
Read the Logo Guidelines
Not sure when to use the Salanga logo or Colmeal logo? Check out the full logo guidelines.
FAQ: Is Colmeal an 'approach' or 'methodology'?
Colmeal is a community-led development approach with an associated methodology. It is guided by a set of principles and values that orient how communities and organisations engage across the full development cycle. It comes with a structured process and toolkit that practitioners can draw on and adapt to their context.