Sustainable development means meeting today's needs without compromising future generations

Introduction

Food For Poor (FFTP), a leading NGO in Latin America and the Caribbean, has been a beacon of hope for millions living in extreme poverty. Founded in 1982, the organization has grown from providing a single container of food to delivering thousands of containers of aid annually. Today, FFTP operates in 18 countries, providing not just immediate relief but also sustainable development projects that address the root causes of poverty.

Transition from Output to Outcome

In recent years, FFTP has shifted its focus from merely counting outputs to measuring outcomes. Jeff Alexander, CFO of FFTP, explains, “We’ve learned from our beneficiaries and partners that the impact of our work goes beyond the inherent good of a delivery. We now measure our successes in terms of sustainable, positive outcomes for the communities we serve.” This approach allows FFTP to continually improve its interventions and ensure they are meeting the needs of the communities effectively.

Implementing the SDG Impact Framework

Astrid Cortez, the Monitoring and Evaluation Senior Director, has been instrumental in embedding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) framework into FFTP's operations. She shares, “Sustainable development for us is meeting the present needs of our beneficiaries without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” By aligning with 11 of the SDGs, FFTP targets issues like equality, inclusion, and economic sustainability.

Measurement and Evaluation Model

FFTP's journey towards a robust measurement and evaluation (M&E) model has been a gradual process. According to Jeff Alexander, “Our M&E model creates a continuous improvement loop where we can keep that needle moving forward to improve what we can do to help lives.” This model includes:

1. Baseline Surveys: Establishing a baseline to understand the initial conditions of the communities.
2. Progress Surveys: Conducting regular surveys during the interventions to monitor changes.
3. Final Surveys: Measuring the long-term impact once the projects are complete.

Astrid elaborates, “We use a mix of quantitative and qualitative data to ensure a holistic understanding of the impact. This data helps us design better programs and ensure we have the highest return on social investment.”

Leveraging Technology with Sopact

To streamline their M&E processes, FFTP partnered with Sopact. The platform helps automate data collection, analysis, and presentation, making it easier to communicate results to donors and partners. Astrid notes, “Sopact is helping us move from simple frequency analysis to a more comprehensive understanding of our impact. This technology enables us to make strategic decisions in real-time and ensures our programs are effective and sustainable.”

Key Outcomes and Future Goals

The integration of Sopact's platform has led to significant improvements in FFTP's operations. Astrid highlights, “Our current scorecard shows key information that helps us understand not only the demographics and income levels of the households we serve but also their basic needs, economic aspects, and human development.”

Jeff concludes, “We are thankful for Sopact’s support in this journey. The continuous improvement of our processes ensures that we can help more people out of poverty and empower them to become agents of transformation in their own communities.”

Conclusion

Food For  Poor's transformation from an output-focused to an outcome-oriented organization has set a new standard in the NGO sector. By leveraging the SDG framework and advanced M&E tools, FFTP is not only providing immediate relief but also fostering long-term sustainable development. This case study illustrates the power of combining data-driven insights with a commitment to social justice, ensuring that the fight against poverty is both effective and sustainable.

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