International NGOs were supported by Streams Tech to monitor and evaluate their projects through an application for absolute transparency

Brief Problem

NGOs were expected to make their operations as transparent and accountable as possible by providing a clear picture from the start of the project. They had to specifically answer where, why, and when the money was spent and whether it contributed to any change in the targeted community. Furthermore, it was vital for NGOs to showcase tangible results and exhibit visible improvements in the lives of the beneficiaries. Therefore, it was crucial for NGOs to be transparent about their projects with the donors, implementation partners, and beneficiaries. Different international NGOs working in Bangladesh were having difficulties monitoring and evaluating their projects properly, and they were looking for a better solution for overall project management through a software solution.

Solutions

To resolve this concern, Streams Tech developed the System for Tracking Results and Evidence for Adaptive Management (STREAM), a complete framework for continuous monitoring and evaluation (M & E). It was a comprehensive tool that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative participatory methods of monitoring and evaluation processes. The tool was designed to assist in managing information about the program, and create a learning platform for improving or adapting program activities. It also helped users collect routine data, conduct surveys, and analyze and report information in a geospatial environment. In addition to standard M & E functions, the system included demographic profiling, commodities distribution management, cash transfer, inventory management, a complaint management system, and a smart card feature to bring absolute transparency. Moreover, the app only allowed authentic data to be used for the program through multilevel data verification.

Technologies Used

Impact

The monitoring and evaluation app developed by Streams Tech had an impact on the donors, NGOs, implementing partners, and beneficiaries.

Donors had access to the dashboard which allowed them to track down what events were facilitated by the NGOs, when they were facilitated and where they were facilitated as the information was updated in real-time. The app was totally geolocation-based, which improved control over the projects as donors could observe the events through the application. Hence, the overall efficiency of the donors’ fund management was improved by using the application.

The NGOs could monitor and evaluate how the beneficiaries were doing in terms of their capacity development, empowerment, and livelihood development under each project’s goal.

Furthermore, NGOs could easily find what services the beneficiaries were taking, when they took the service, how they took the service, what changes it brought to their lives, and what the NGOs were doing in terms of fulfilling the target provided by the donor. Moreover, NGOs could also enhance their knowledge of the project as the app had a knowledge-sharing module to be shared among the stakeholders.

Finally, the app gave voice to the beneficiaries as they could complain through the app while they were part of the project. Hence, the monitoring and evaluation app had a multiplier effect on boosting the success of the project.

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