The Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) network is part of the Poverty and Economic Policy (PEP) Research Network of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. It is comprised of researchers and analysts with specialization in poverty measurement, development, and implementation of local monitoring systems, and policy impact analysis. The CBMS attempts to build and strengthen the capacity of planners and programme implementers at the national and local levels, for a more improved and transparent system of resource allocation and governance. While a key objective of the CBMS is to aid poverty reduction, other important associated benefits include capacity building of local government units, increased gender equity and early warning signs of crisis.