How to measure something that seems intangible?
Over 2014, the LGI decided to accept the challenge of measuring the impact of its work, its particularities and outcomes. Our team’s first step was to focus on the analysis of our mission, values and methodology, as well as issues related to institutional strengthening. We then discussed what impacts we would like to have and outlined the respective Community Development Indexes.
In order to validate these indexes, a pilot project was carried out in Angico dos Dias, in Bahia. A group of young students did a survey with a random sample of 160 people – roughly 10% of the local population – with different profiles and age ranges. Furthermore, we held a Roda de Conversa discussion group with 30 participants from the Social Network and local projects supported by the LGI. Data analysis revealed significant progress in the work done by the LGI: all indexes presented positive growth in comparison with 5 years ago, including an increase in local repertoire, participation and trust.. When combined to the topics addressed and the Roda de Conversa meeting, the results outlined a portrait of the local community and suggested routes to be taken based on the analysis.
The need to create these indexes emerged from the demand for tangible results to enable better dialogue with other audiences, in addition to a plan that is more suitable to the different realities of our operations.
Next steps
To enhance our impact indexes based on the creation of a toolset, which includes instruments and guidelines for data collection and analysis.Learnings
Expansion of the Local Repertoire: participation in a cross-sector network increases the changes of “new social arrangements”;
Participation: it is a learning process and must therefore be exercised;
Trust: stronger cross-generation bonds contribute to higher levels of trust in a community.
Joining forces in favor of base development*
In 2014, the Lina Galvani Institute became a member of RedEAmérica, one of the continent’s benchmarks in Private Social Investment and Base Development.. The entity gathers 78 organizations of corporate origin from 11 Latin American countries, and its goal is to improve and expand corporate initiatives for the promotion of sustainable communities in Latin America.
For further information: www.redeamerica.orgRedEAmérica is now stronger with this new member, since the LGI is a prominent organization in the field of private social investment in Brazil, with its own relevant methodologies and consistent interest in and commitment to setting up and promoting the base development approach.
*Strengthening the collective action of the poor and creating a favorable institutional environment to enable the participation of their organizations in public debates, empowering them to understand and overcome the hardships they face.
Putting experiences and findings in writing
In 2014, with the objective of systemizing our practices and experiences, three articles were written by the LGI team or by consultants who supported us in our projects throughout the year.
To read the articles, please visit our blog:
Avaliação social: uma prática dialógica para a construção de sentidos
Institutos empresariais, empresas e associações de moradores formando elos
Educomunicação Genuína: a comunidade inspirada e inspirandoAdditionally, some of the Institute’s articles and cases, as well as interviews and reports, were published in the communication channels of the networks we participate in: GIFE and RedEAmérica.