Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!
11 December 2024
Post No. 382
The Week’s Contents
• Matching Organisation-Investor Programme via African Art Investment Project – Stage/Activity 4 (from 11 to 17/12/2024): Matching Organisation’s Project Documentation with Investor’s View on Project Documentation
• Turning Things Into Festive Gifts (‘Festive Turns’)
• E-discussing Volunteering to Find Climate Finance and a New Development Model While Supporting All in Development Volunteer Scheme (AiDVS)
… And much more!
Key Messages
• Matching Organisation-Investor Programme via African Art Investment Project – Stage/Activity 4 (from 11 to 17/12/2024): Matching Organisation’s Project Documentation (PD) with Investor’s View on PD
The last episode of our 4-week Matching Organisation-Investor Programme via African Art Investment Project is on Matching Organisation’s Project Documentation with Investor’s Approach to PD
Indeed, both parties [i.e., Africa-based Sister Art Charitable Organisation (ASACO) and Not-for-profit (n-f-p) Investor] have made progress so far as they continue to score points; points which are enough to enable them to enter the final stage of the matching talks. They are excited and have started to dream to begin 2025 with a new investment for Africa-based Sister Art Charitable Organisation (ASACO) and a new asset in portfolio for not-for-profit (n-f-p) investor. However, each of them still has some work to do to complete the matching process.
For ASACO, this Activity 4 is about having its application for investment in the form of project documentation. This application needs to be completed and to show coordination and collaboration in terms of its contents.
This last stage is an opportunity for ASACO to elevate its application in line with project planning theories, processes and practices. It is the stage at which ASACO has to sell its project unique point to stand out amongst competing projects and organisations, while highlighting impactful aspects of its project in terms of poverty reduction.
As to the n-f-p investor, it is about elevating its pitch in order to win an organisation in which to invest. In its approach to project documentation, n-f-p investor will look at qualitative (facts) and quantitative (numbers) data, metrics and indicators to help him/her in its investment decision or case. This insight will indicate to him/her whether or not to back the project and the ASACO that initiates this project.
Where the two (i.e., investee and investor) need support, CENFACS will work with each party to fill the gap.
More on Activity 4 can be found under the Main Development section of this post.
• Turning Things Into Festive Gifts (‘Festive Turns’)
This Festive Season, we are going to turn our time, effort, waste, shopping, etc. into donations and gifts. It is a Festive Season of turning things into something purposeful to reduce or end poverty and/or enhance sustainable development. It is about transforming items into festive gifts. You name them ‘Festive Turns‘. ‘Festive Turns‘ involve personalisation with personalised messages, seasonal add-ons, thematic and experience-based gifts, and eco-friendly options.
Examples of turning things into festive gifts include the following:
σ Turning your time and effort into helpful support for those in need this Festive Season
σ Turning waste into valuable resources that support those in need
σ Turning your festive shopping into life-changing gifts for others.
The above examples are just a few of ways of turning things into festive gifts or donations for those in need.
Those who would like to turn things or items into Festive Gifts, but are not sure or struggling to do it, they can work with CENFACS to make turning things possible. Equally, those who would like to donate to make this turning possible, they should not hesitate to donate.
To turn things into festive gifts and/or to donate to make this turning happen, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.
• E-discussing Volunteering to Find Climate Finance and a New Development Model While Supporting All in Development Volunteer Scheme (AiDVS)
Our Winter e-discussion about Volunteering to Find Climate Finance and a New Development Model will enter its third planned area. In this area, the e-discussion will be on Volunteering to find a new development model; e-discussion which will be held on 13 and 14 December 2024.
While our Winter e-discussion is going on, we are asking for support to CENFACS’ All in Development Volunteer Scheme (AiDVS).
• • Supporting All in Development Volunteer Scheme (AiDVS)
It is possible to support CENFACS and its AiDVS from wherever you are (at home, work, away, online, abroad, on the go and move, etc.). Supporting us does not need to be magical and majestic. It can be in any thing or means that can advance the work of AiDVS.
Your support will help us to support others who need support during this festive time.
One can still enjoy a great festive season while supporting us to support others.
There are many simple helpful and useful ways of adding great value to our voluntary work.
Here are 12-themed enhancers or ways of adding great value to CENFACS’ AiDVS:
1) Gift ideas for the best ways of monitoring, evaluating and reviewing projects and programmes in the New Year
They could include project management software, books and guides, evaluation tools, digital gadgets, free subscriptions to journals and publications, etc.
2) Money-saving and scrimping tips from scrimpers for AiDVS
Tips from seasonal scrimpers could be on budgeting wisely (to track expenses and set limits), grocery savings (e.g., donate coupons), reduction of utility bills, financial tools (like cashback apps), smart shopping, etc.
3) Festive deals and packages for AiDVS
For instance, one can offer New Year’s Eve Packages, discount codes and offers (seasonal discounts, package deals, early booking deals, etc.)
4) Festive free coupons, promo codes and vouchers for AiDVS
They include free vouchers from popular retailers or brands, percentage price off orders and saving on selected items, which can help AiDVS save on their holiday shopping.
5) Net-zero or low carbon economic products to protect the environment and nature
To name the few, we can mention energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy products, eco-friendly products, water-saving devices, sustainable food choices, waste reduction solutions, etc.
6) Digital and media support to better volunteer for a climate neutral and sustainable world
Options include online platforms and courses, digital tools for activism, volunteer matching platforms, youth engagement, etc.
7) Health and safety gifts for healthy and safe volunteering in the New Year
These gifts can include aid kits, personal protective equipment, hydration and nutrition, comfort and ergonomics, health and wellness, safety training and resources, emergency preparedness, etc. These gifts will help volunteers stay healthy and safe for their well-being and the success of their efforts.
8) Wintry and festive giveaways to volunteer for a net zero greenhouse gas emissions world
To illustrate, we can mention free products, gift cards, free tickets, etc.
9) Generative Artificial Intelligence volunteering tools to improve the efficiency of volunteering
Tools include personalised volunteer matching programme, automated consumption, content generation, data analysis and insights, training and onboarding, resource allocation, feedback and evaluation.
10) Festive price bundling for flexible volunteering
Ideas for bundling offers can include volunteer packages, discounted event tickets, gift cards and vouchers, free products and services, recognition and rewards, and flexible volunteering options.
11) Distance working and gift technologies
Amongst the examples, we can name cloud technology, volunteer management software, apps, virtual volunteering tools, apps for remote volunteering, virtual volunteer tools, gift technology for volunteers (e-gift cards, virtual recognition, tech gadgets, tablets, laptops, etc.)
12) Net-zero energy saving products to volunteer
We can mention home energy efficiency since many of our AiDVS work from home, renewable solutions, transportation (e.g., e-bikes), sustainable products, energy monitoring tools, etc.
The above-mentioned enhancers will contribute to streamline volunteer management processes, enhance volunteer satisfaction, and support a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions world.
The enhancers – which could be wintry and festive news, information and products – will assist volunteers (that is, short-term, episodic, regular, ongoing and virtual volunteers) to better help out CENFACS’ noble and beautiful cause of poverty reduction.
They will also assist in recruiting and easily managing volunteers while improving volunteer experience and the effectiveness of our work on poverty reduction.
Additionally, they will contribute in tracking volunteers and their work.
For instance, gift technologies could enable to automate volunteers’ tasks to free up resources and time as well as increase volunteer engagement in our poverty reduction work.
To support AiDVS with your wintry or festive gift, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.
To e-discuss Volunteering to Find Climate Finance and a New Development Model, please communicate with CENFACS.
Extra Messages
• Autumn 2024 Humanitarian Relief Appeal: Only 11 Days Remaining!
• Transitions Year and Project: Impact Monitoring and Evaluation
• CENFACS’ Poverty-Environment and the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
• Autumn 2024 Humanitarian Relief Appeal: Only 11 Days Remaining!
Needy People, Flora, Fauna, Funga, Communities and Organisations in Africa are Asking for Your Support!
We have only eleven days remaining for our Autumn 2024 humanitarian appeal. This appeal is about supporting needy people, flora, fauna, funga, communities and organisations in Africa. It includes the following five selected projects:
1) Informal Cross-border Poor Traders’ Skills
2) Symmetry Poverty Reduction Projects
3) More Poverty Reduction for Women and Youth in Africa
4) Rescuing Children’s Education
5) Save Flora, Fauna and Funga Projects.
• • Supporting the Autumn 2024 Campaign
Donors and funders can seize the opportunity provided by these projects and the giving season to directly and respectively donate or fund these projects.
A message about this appeal can also be passed on to a person who is in a position and willing to support. Many thanks to those who will be passing this message!
We understand that the world is still trying to find ways of coming out of multiple crises (food, energy, climate change, geo-economic crises, etc.). This struggle affects the ability of people to support good and deserving causes.
However, the effects of these crises are even stronger in places where there is a high level of poverty like in Africa. This is why we have launched this seasonal appeal to help not only to reduce poverty but also to save lives from these crises.
• • Where Donors’ and Funders’ Money Will Go
We are inviting those who can, to donate £4 to create 3 benefits (1 benefit for humans, 1 benefit for other natural livings and 1 shared benefit between humans and nature) or any amount starting from £4 or more as you wish or can.
• • Gift-Aiding Your Donation
You can gift aid your donation as well as support these projects in a way that is the most suitable and related to your situation, status, circumstance, budget, capacity and willingness.
To donate, gift aid and support otherwise; please contact CENFACS.
• Transitions Year and Project: Impact Monitoring and Evaluation
At the start of 2024, we dedicated 2024 as a Year of Transitions within CENFACS (1) and of poor people’s needs and demands; transitions that would better help by working with them so that they can transition away or out of poverty reduction.
We thought that to reduce or end poverty, it would require transition or people in need transitioning from one situation to another one. Transitions can be of varying kinds. Transition can be psychological, economic, financial, democratic, social, environmental, political, demographic, etc.
To deliver this dedication, we set up a Transitions Project.
• • What is Transitions Project or ‘t‘ Project?
It is a series or set of interconnected tasks or activities planned for the execution of CENFACS‘ dedication of year 2024 as of Transitions. These tasks or activities, which aim at reducing poverty, have been undertaken throughout 2024 within the requirements and limitations of CENFACS‘ existing and acquirable resources and assets.
Through this project, it was hoped to continue to help reduce poverty by working with project beneficiaries as they move through and out of poverty. The project would support them to smooth transitions processes they were undergoing in order to meet their poverty reduction goals. The support could be about tackling factors that could cause problems to their transitions.
In this respect, the ‘t‘ Project was designed to accompany project beneficiaries in their transition away or out of poverty and hardships. The ‘t‘ Project has activities and tasks (or 12 Transition Project episodes).
• • Activities and Tasks Relating to the ‘t’ Project
A number of activities and processes has been conducted each month to enable smooth implementation of the project. We planned twelve specific activities/tasks (or 12 Transition Project episodes), one activity or task every month. Through this project and each task, we have tried as much as we could to identify the transition paths to poverty reduction generally and on a particular area of poverty reduction (e.g., humanitarian or overseas development matters).
We have been working to find things or factors that can help transitions so that they could positively contribute to the same goal of relieving need hardship and distress amongst our community members throughout our dedicated year. Last week, we announced the last activity or episode of the Transitions Project, while carrying out impact monitoring and evaluation of the same project.
• • Continuing Impact Monitoring and Evaluating the ‘t’ Project
This week, we are continuing the process of looking back what happened in the last 11 months until now. This is our impact monitoring task. Equally, it is worth to start the task of evaluating the Transitions Year and Project. We may not finish this evaluation by the end 2024, but it is better to start now and continue it in January 2025 if we do not finish.
The two exercises (i.e., monitoring and evaluation) will enable to inform any interested parties (e.g., project beneficiaries, supporters, our audiences, etc.) the findings about what we did not know and we now know about the needs and aspirations of the people in need making our community. These monitoring and evaluative exercises would also lay ground to seize the early impacts or outputs from the delivery of the Transitions Year/Project.
From these exercises – monitoring, evaluative information and knowledge – and other discoveries within the project, we can plan the kinds of appropriate responses we may develop or ways of working together with project beneficiaries in 2025 to meet those unmet needs and demands.
In order to impact monitor and evaluate the Transitions (t) Project, it is essential to have a theory of change for accountability and reporting to stakeholders. We had this theory before starting this Transitions project. The theory of change developed here is the causal chain or a description of a succession or chain of elements and causal connections between them.
For example, one could look at any of the 12 activities/tasks (or 12 Transition Project episodes) and check how they were connected to find out if there were inputs, outputs, outcomes and impacts which each element led to the next.
The Impact Monitoring and Evaluation (IME) will provide the two results below.
On the one hand, the IME will tell if there has been transition in terms of:
~ attitudinal change, that is whether or not the ‘t‘ project has allowed to draw attention, affect awareness, attitudes and perceptions of the poor
~ procedural change, that is changes in way poor people decide their matters
~ behaviour change, that is changes in behaviour in poor people.
On the other hand, we can evaluate if the activities (e.g., negotiation, advocacy, skills development, etc.) conducted to make transitions out of poverty to happen.
To conduct impact monitoring and evaluation, it requires the contribution of every body who took part or came across these activities.
• • How Can You Help or Get Involved in the Impact Monitoring and Evaluation Processes of the ‘t’ Project?
As part of this Impact Monitoring and Evaluation exercise, we would like to ask to those who have been working with us throughout the last 11 months and two weeks to share with us their feelings and thoughts about these two areas:
(a) The overall “Transition Year/Project”
(b) Any of the activities/tasks they have been interested in or used to work with those in need to transition out of poverty.
You can share your feelings and thoughts with us by:
∝ Phoning
∝ Texting
∝ E-mailing
∝ Completing the contact form with your feelings and thoughts.
• • Supporting the Findings from the ‘t’ Project
Impact monitoring and evaluation are not an end for themselves. After concluding them, there will be some findings in terms of knowledge of poor people’s needs. There will be some suggestions or proposals in terms of project planning and development. In other words, these findings could mean that we may have to take some steps forward in terms project planning and development in the New Year.
If there are new projects to meet those unmet needs within the community, how can one support those findings or emerging new project proposals?
For those who are willing to support those findings and projects stemming from those findings, they can be reassured that we are willing to share the findings with them.
To request the findings from the 12 Transition Project episodes, please contact CENFACS.
To support projects that may result from these findings, please let CENFACS know.
• CENFACS’ Poverty-Environment Programme and the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Between 2 and 13 December 2024, we are following the work of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which has been held under the theme “Our Land. Our Future” (2), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Our follow up of COP16 is part of the work we do on the development of sustainable initiatives. Particularly, this follow up falls under CENFACS’ Poverty-Environment Programme. More on our Poverty-Environment Programme can be found under the page ‘Development Programmes‘ of CENFACS website (3).
There are many areas which have been discussed so far at COP16 that are linked with the content of our Poverty-Environment Programme.
For example, the discussion on the current agri-food systems that contributes to the deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss is in tune with some areas of our programme.
Additionally, CENFACS “A la une” ((Autumn Leaves of Action for the Upkeep of the Nature in Existence) Campaign and Themed Activities are linked with many aspects of the work of COP16.
Furthermore, COP16 brings an additional opportunity to work as we shall develop projects relating to land restoration and boosting drought resilience in Africa as well as poverty reduction projects linked to other aspects of desertification and drought. Specifically, we are looking into developing projects on healthy soils, resilient crops, sustainable land management and land degradation neutrality; projects we believe can help reduce poverty linked to the lacks of land restoration and drought resilience.
For those who would like to know more about the relationship between COP16 and CENFACS‘ Poverty-Environment Programme, they can contact CENFACS.
For those who are interested in working with CENFACS on this relationship, they can also communicate with CENFACS.
Message in French (Message en français)
• Dons sans donner directement de l’argent liquide et sans faire d’achats
Il existe 12 façons/outils thématiques de faire un don sans donner directement de l’argent liquide et sans faire d’achats pendant cette saison et ce mois de fêtes. Il s’agit notamment de:
1) S’inscrire à une déclaration d’aide à don à partir de laquelle CENFACS peut gagner 25 pence supplémentaires pour chaque 1 £ que vous donnez
Votre déclaration d’aide à don peut contribuer à amplifier notre impact sur la réduction de la pauvreté.
2) Nomination du CENFACS pour un don lors d’événements festifs de collecte de fonds et de dons de charité
Il peut s’agir de foires et de marchés festifs, de courses et de marches, de concerts et de spectacles, de campagnes de collecte de fonds en ligne, etc.
3) Sélection du CENFACS comme organisme de bienfaisance préféré pour les dons provenant des revenus publicitaires
Par exemple, si vous êtes une entreprise dotée de programmes de responsabilité sociale d’entreprise, nous pouvons nous associer à vous pour parrainer nos événements, projets et campagnes. Nous pouvons aligner notre travail sur le vôtre; tout comme si vous meniez un programme de dons jumelés, nous pouvons travailler avec vous.
4) Don planifié ou legs si vous décidez de faire un don majeur au CENFACS au-delà de votre vie
Par exemple, vous pouvez aider pour les dons purs et simples, les dons différés, les dons qui fournissent un revenu; cadeaux qui protègent les biens.
5) Campagnes de diffusion en direct
Si vous collectez des fonds en direct, vous pouvez convenir avec CENFACS de choisir une plateforme (par exemple, Twitch), de configurer un flux pour CENFACS, de créer une page de collecte de fonds festive, d’utiliser une plateforme (comme Tiltify), de promouvoir l’événement, d’inciter les spectateurs (rices) à faire un don et à partager le flux avec leurs ami(e)s et de collaborer.
6) Actifs de jeu
Vous pouvez également soutenir le CENFACS via des actifs de jeu lorsque vous, en tant que collecteur (rice) de fonds pour les jeux, pouvez prendre l’initiative de collecter des fonds pour CENFACS via des jeux vidéo ou des événements de jeux vidéo diffusés en direct auxquels les téléspectateurs (rices) peuvent se connecter. Vous pouvez utiliser, par exemple, le jeu vidéo sur des plates-formes centrées sur le jeu en tirant parti de la communauté des joueurs (ses) et en collectant des fonds.
7) Outils d’IA (Intelligence Artificielle) pour générer des revenus ou automatiser la génération de revenus
En fait, vous pouvez nous aider à renforcer notre capacité de collecte de fonds, à impliquer plus efficacement les donateurs (rices) et à rationaliser nos processus et opérations grâce à des outils d’IA tels que l’IA d’appel, l’intelligence de collecte de fonds, les chatbots et les assistants virtuels (par exemple, ChatGPT) et les outils d’intégration CRM.
8) Dons immobiliers virtuels
Une autre façon festive, créative et innovante de soutenir le CENFACS est de faire un don sur les bénéfices des biens immobiliers virtuels (terrains et propriétés) vendus.
9) Billets numériques
Par exemple, les billets d’événements peuvent être vendus aux enchères ou tirés au sort pour collecter des fonds. Les billets pour les événements virtuels (par exemple, pour les webinaires, les ateliers en ligne) peuvent également être donnés.
10) L’art numérique
Vous pouvez faire don d’art numérique ou créer des Jetons non fongibles (JNF) de l’art à vendre, les bénéfices étant reversés au CENFACS.
11) Faire des dons en crypto-monnaie (ou dons d’actifs non monétaires)
Si vous êtes un(e) partisan(e), un(e) enthousiaste ou un(e) donateur(rice) adepte des cryptomonnaies, vous pouvez faire des dons en cryptomonnaies en tant qu’actifs en choisissant une cryptomonnaie (par exemple, Bitcoin), en vérifiant auprès de CENFACS si nous pouvons accepter vos dons en cryptomonnaies, en utilisant un portefeuille numérique, en transférant le don à CENFACS et en obtenant un reçu. Vous pouvez aider CENFACS à collecter des fonds pour ses nobles et belles causes ainsi qu’à développer un programme de philanthropie crypto.
12) Jetons non fongibles (JNF)
Vous pouvez créer et mettre aux enchères des JNF dont les bénéfices sont reversés à CENFACS, faire don de JNF existants en les vendant ou en les vendant aux enchères avec des recettes allant à CENFACS, configurer un portefeuille numérique avec des JNF pour accepter les dons en crypto-monnaie pour CENFACS.
Ainsi, on pourrait faire don d’actifs numériques comme les crypto-monnaies, les JNF et les cartes-cadeaux numériques.
Il pourrait y avoir d’autres façons de faire un don sans magasiner, car les dons de ressources à des causes caritatives sont une industrie en pleine croissance. Si vous en connaissez d’autres, utilisez-les pour aider le CENFACS à accéder à des fonds pour ses nobles et belles causes.
Ainsi, ceux ou celles qui n’ont pas pu faire de dons sans donner directement de l’argent liquide et sans faire d’achats, ils/elles peuvent toujours faire un don via les dons en espèces sans achats mentionnés ci-dessus. Ils/elles pouvaient faire des dons en espèces sans acheter un souvenir pour les nobles et belles causes du CENFACS.
En demandant des dons en espèces sans achat direct, nous ne voulons pas dire que l’on ne peut pas donner de l’argent. Ils/elles le peuvent et s’ils/elles choisissent de donner directement en espèces, CENFACS acceptera volontiers leurs dons directs en espèces.
Pour soutenir le CENFACS sans donner directement de l’argent liquide (avec ou sans courses d’achats) et/ou en faisant un don direct en espèces, veuillez contacter le CENFACS.
Merci d’avoir pris en compte notre demande de dons en espèces sans dons directs sans activités de magasinage festives.
Main Development
• Matching Organisation-Investor Programme via African Art Investment Project – Stage/Activity 4 (from 11 to 17/12/2024): Matching Organisation’s Project Documentation with Investor’s View on Project Documentation
As introduced in the Key Messages, both parties [i.e., Africa-based Sister Art Charitable Organisation (ASACO) and Not-for-profit (n-f-p) Investor] have made progress so far as they continue to score points; points which are enough to enable them to enter the last stage of the matching talks. These matching talks will be about finding ways to reach an agreement between Organisation’s Project Documentation (PD) with Investor’s View on PD.
To explain what is going to happen at this last stage or Activity 4, we have organised our notes around the following headings:
σ Africa-based Sister Art Charitable Organisation’s Project Documentation
σ Not-for-profit Investor’s View on and Review of Project Documentation
σ The Match or Fit Test.
Let us look at each of these headings.
• • Africa-based Sister Art Charitable Organisation’s Project Documentation
To start off, it is better to understand project documentation.
• • • What is a project documentation?
The definition used in these notes of project documentation comes from ‘projectmanager.com’ (4) which states that
“Project documentation refers to the project management documents that are created throughout the project life cycle. These documents, such as the project plan, project schedule or project budget, define activities procedures and guidelines that the team should follows”.
The website ‘projectmanager.com’ provides top 15 project documents to include in a project documentation, which include:
project plan, project charter, business case, project schedule, risk register, scope statement, project budget, project communication plan, project statement report, project closure, project proposal template, project brief template, requirements gathering template, project overview template, and team charter template.
Depending on the type of Africa-based Sister Art Charitable Organisation’s project, this documentation can be simple or complex. What is important is not only to have a well documented project, but to have a project documentation that can help to win the argument to attract investment/investor. This well crafted project documentation will serve a basis for Africa-based Sister Art Charitable Organisation (ASACO) to reach an agreement with potential not-for-profit (n-f-p) investors.
• • • What ASCO can do to reach an agreement
In this Activity 4, ASACO needs to champion its project/cause by demonstrating that there is consistency and links between its planned documents. That the project documentation provides a blended roadmap in the way the project will be implemented. ASACO is also required to show that the processes and protocols of project planning, tracking and monitoring are canonical and clear without any confusion.
Since the n-f-p investor is looking for ASACO’s ability to record and document all aspects of its project, ASACO must AVOID to have its project into pieces all over the place without any links or relationships. ASACO is therefore required to provide a high-quality crafted project documentation as well as uphold openness and transparency. To achieve that it needs to refer to metrics for project documentation quality.
• • • Metrics for project documentation quality
The blog ‘daily.dev’ (5) provides 5 metrics for project documentation quality, which are:
1) Readability (how easily users can understand and engage with the content)
2) Navigation and accessibility (how users can find and consume content)
3) Quality of content (how well the documentation meets the needs of its users)
4) Usability (how easily users can find and use the information they need in your documentation)
5) Customer satisfaction (helps to know if users are happy with the information you are providing and if it meets their needs).
The same ‘daily.dev’ argues that
“By tracking these metrics and implementing best practices, you can create high-quality documentation that improve user experience, reduces support costs, and drives business growth”.
ASACO can follow the advice from ‘daily.dev’ and ensure that its documentation meet the criteria contained in the above-mentioned five metrics and maximise impacts on the beneficiaries that the project intends to serve.
• • • Impact of the art project on local area and local people
Stage 4 is the stage at which ASACO needs to boldly speak about measures and numbers like the following:
σ how many people will benefit from the art project
σ how many amongst them will be lifted out of poverty because its intervention
σ the impact of the art project on local area and local people
etc.
ASACO can use impact measurement tools.
• • • Project methodology
ASACO can as well explain the approach or methodology it has used to factorise both internal and external variables (such as economic, environmental and political factors or indicators) in the project documentation. This would be the system of methods and principles it has used or will be using in order to set up the art investment project. In doing so, it will show that the art investment project sits on solid foundations or principles. Equally, ASACO needs to demonstrate it has evidence not only principles.
• • • The evidence of need
In this design of project documentation, ASACO can add testimonies, evidence of need and any research findings from and about the people where the project will be implemented to demonstrate that the project has baseline documents and is based on genuine local needs and demand.
Briefly, throughout its project documentation ASACO must show that is leading the way and the project has something noble to offer and can generate tangible and palpable results in terms of poverty reduction. The project is worth undertaking and commends a genuine case or value for investment.
• • Not-for-profit Investor’s View on and Review of Project Documentation
This is about the not-for-profit investor’s opinion and critical report on ASACO’s project documentation.
To understand the n-f-p investor’s position at this stage, one needs to be aware of what ‘getty.edu’ (6) argues, which is:
“To document an art project, one can sketch out a scope and goals for the project, communicate roles, expectations, and objectives, monitor progress and identify roadblocks, verify that all the deliverables have been met, and finalise the project”.
The n-f-p art investor would take the above argument as far as ASACO’s PD is concerned. Referring the above-mentioned argument, n-f-p art investor may want to know if
~ ASACO’ s project documentation meets user needs and expectations
~ there are any areas of improvement
~ documentation can be optimized
~ documentation improves the overall quality of the art project
etc.
For instance, the n-f-p art investor will conduct usability testing and check if ASACO’s documents have visuals. He/she can as well check if content aligns with user needs and expectations, and if ASACO will collect feedback through surveys, forms and rating systems.
Briefly, he/she would like to be ensured that ASACO’s project documentation is clear, concise, and user-friendly and will increase customer loyalty, positive reviews of art investment project and business growth. If this is the case, there will be a possibility to reach an agreement.
• • Reaching an Agreement on the the Key Areas of the Project Documentation
The two sides (ASACO and the n-f-p art investor) need to reach an agreement on the contents of project documentation. If there is a disagreement between ASACO and n-f-p art investor, this could open up the possibility for a match/fit test. The match/fit test can be carried out to try to help the two sides of the matching process. The match/fit test can also be undertaken if there is a disagreement on any of aspects of the African art investment project.
• • The Match or Fit Test
As part of the match or fit test, n-f-p FI’s view on and review of ASACO’s project documentation must be matched with the information coming out of ASACO’s documents.
The match can be perfect or close in order to reach an agreement. If there is a huge or glaring difference between the two (i.e., between what the investor wants and what ASACO is saying about its project documentation, between what the investor would like the project documentation to indicate and what ASACO’s project documentation is really saying), the probability or chance of having an agreement at this fourth round of negotiations could be null or uncertain.
• • • Impact Advice to APRC and Guidance to n-f-p Art Investor
CENFACS can impact advise ASACO to improve the contents of its project documentation. CENFACS can as well guide n-f-p art investors with impact to work out their expectations in terms of project documentation to a format that can be agreeable by potential ASACOs. CENFACS’ impact advice for ASACOs and guidance on impact investing for n-f-p art investor, which are impartial, will help each of them (i.e., investee and investor) to make informed decisions and to reduce or avoid the likelihood of any significant losses or misunderstandings or mismatches.
• • • The Rule of the Matching Game
The rule of the game is the more art investors are attracted by ASACOs’ project documentation the better for ASACOs. It means that ASACO’s PD process must pass the attractiveness test. Likewise, the more ASACOs can successfully respond to art investors’ level of enquiries and queries about the African art project documentation the better for investors. In this respect, the matching game needs to be a win-win one to benefit both players (i.e., investee and investor).
The above is the fourth and last stage of the Matching Organisation-Investor via African Art Investment.
Those potential organisations seeking investment to set up art project and n-f-p art investors looking for organisations that are interested in their giving, they can contact CENFACS to arrange the match or fit test for them. They can have their fit test carried out by CENFACS’ Hub for Testing Hypotheses.
• • • CENFACS’ Hub for Testing Hypotheses
The Hub can help to use analysis tools to test assumptions and determine how likely something is within a given standard of accuracy. The Hub can assist to
√ clean, merge and prepare micro-data sources for testing, modelling and analysis
√ conduct data management and administration
√ carry out regression analysis, estimate and test hypotheses
√ interpret and analyse patterns or trends or insights in data or results.
For any queries and/or enquiries about this fourth stage/activity of Matching Organisation-Investor via African Art Investment, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.
• • Concluding Note on Autumn Matching Organisation-Investor via African Art Investment
African charities like other for-profit organisations can set up an art project to enable them to back up their charitable mission and vision, provided this project is within the regulatory frameworks of the countries in which they operate and within their constitutional rules. In other words, they can do it within the powers they have been given by their legislators and their governing rules (e.g., articles of association).
However, they need to make sure that the newly formed art project can leverage trends, insights and interactions to make their poverty reduction brand part of the conversation, driving engagement and growth from their supporters.
They also need to check that the same art project will generate enough income so that the more the difference between the sales revenue and the costs of those sales is, the better they can find the financial resources they need to allocate to their worthy causes.
They are as well required to guarantee that the average artwork sale price will be enough to generate both financial benefit and charitable benefit for them while charitable benefit superseding financial benefit.
There are not-for-profit impact investors who can help them to either to start or develop their idea of having an African art project or subsidiary to reduce poverty. Where African charities, we mean CENFACS‘ Africa-based Sister Art Charitable Organisations (ASACOs) or African Poverty Relief Organisations (APRCs) like in this matching exercise, experience some difficulties in finding these types of investors, CENFACS can work with ASACOs/APRCs to source them.
Equally, for n-f-p impact investors who are looking for Africa-based organisations to invest in but they are not sure which organisation that can be their investee, CENFACS can as well work with these investors so that their investment is channelled to the right organisation, at the right moment and to the right cause. In this respect, CENFACS can match ASACOs’/APRCs’ need to find an investor and n-f-p impact investor’s desire to get an investee.
The match probability can be high or average or low depending on how much ASACOs’/APRCs’ needs meet investors’ interests. CENFACS will make sure that this match is the strongest possible one.
CENFACS is available to work with ASACOs/APRCs that are looking for Impact Advice and Not-for-profit Investors who need Guidance with Impact so that the former can find the investment they are looking for and the latter the organisation to invest in, and both of them can realise their respective dreams in the New Year.
To work together to make your matching dream come true in 2025 by finding your ideal investee or investor, please contact CENFACS.
_________
• References
(1) cenfacs.org.uk/2024/01/10/2024-light-seasons-resources-projects-and-programmes/ (accessed in December 2024)
(2) https://www.unccd.int/cop16 (accessed in December 2024)
(3) cenfacs.org.uk/development-programmes/ (accessed in December 2024)
(4) https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/great-project-documentation (accessed in December 2023)
(5) https://daily.dev/blog/5-metrics-to-measure-documentation-quality (accessed in December 2024)
(6) https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabularies/managing_protect.pdf (accessed in December 2024)
_________
• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going This Year
We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.
One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.
Additionally, we would like to inform you that planned gifting is always an option for giving at CENFACS. Likewise, CENFACS accepts matching gifts from companies running a gift-matching programme.
Donate to support CENFACS!
FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.
JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)
Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.
Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.
We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support until the end of 2024 and beyond.
With many thanks.
