revised judging criterion: conducting a needs assessment
TRANSCRIPT
REVISED JUDGING CRITERION:
CONDUCTING A NEEDS ASSESSMENT
REVISED JUDGING CRITERION
Which Enactus team most effectively used entrepreneurial action to empower people to improve their livelihoods in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way?
WHAT IS A NEEDS ASSESSMENT?
A needs assessment is a process for identifying the gaps between an individual or community’s current conditions and their desired outcomes
WHY DO I NEED TO PERFORM ONE?
Understanding the larger context of your target audience leads to a more sustainable project
Needs assessments empower target audience members by giving them a voice and a stake in their own outcome
BASIC NEEDS ASSESSMENT STEPS:
1. Determine the people you want to empower
2. Develop a plan for assessing livelihoods and desired outcomes
3. Conduct the assessment with the target audience
4. Analyze the results
WHO SHOULD I INCLUDE IN THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS?
• Target audience members • Key Enactus team members• Community leaders• Businesses involved in the project• Others who are knowledgeable about
the community
HOW DO I START A NEEDS ASSESSMENT?
Begin by doing a high-level examination of the sustainability context:
Economic, social and environmental concerns or trends relevant to the target audience of the project
Utilize existing census data, surveys and other local reports
ENVIRONMENTAL
• Seasonality of prices, production and employment
• Industries or major sources of employment in the area
• Average income• Unemployment rate • Unemployment causes
• Climate and landscape• Actual or potential disease, pollution or
natural disasters • Waste management• Infrastructure and raw materials
available
• Demographic data• Population trends • Access to affordable education• Health-related issues and trends • Role of the government • History of conflict or discrimination• Cultural norms and practices • Other organizations doing development
work within the community
SOCIALECONOMIC
THINGS TO CONSIDER
ENACTUS PROJECT PROCESS
Livelihood Assets
SEE OPPORTUNITYLivelihood Strategies
TAKE ACTIONLivelihood Outcomes
ENABLE PROGRESS
UNDERSTANDING LIVELIHOOD ASSETS & LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES
Next, meet with members of your target audience to learn more about current livelihood assets and livelihood strategies
•Interviews •Focus groups•Public forums•Direct observation
UNDERSTANDING LIVELIHOOD ASSETS
Every individual and community has access to at least one form of livelihood asset
Livelihood assets are the capital involved in obtaining desired outcomes
Examine the assets currently possessed by the target audience and their stability
ASSET CATEGORIES
FINANCIAL
NATURAL
SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL Employment Income Stocks, savings,
etc. Access to
financial services
ASSET CATEGORIES
NATURAL
FINANCIAL SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL
Natural resources – air, water, etc.
Waste management
Biodiversity
ASSET CATEGORIES
NATURAL
FINANCIAL SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL Community Networking Relationships Trust
ASSET CATEGORIES
NATURAL
FINANCIAL SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL
Skills Knowledge Ability Education
ASSET CATEGORIES
NATURAL
FINANCIAL SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL Infrastructure Shelter Transportation Access to
consumer goods
Clean energy
ENACTUS PROJECT PROCESS
Livelihood Strategies
TAKE ACTIONLivelihood
Assets
SEE OPPORTUNITYLivelihood Outcomes
ENABLE PROGRESS
UNDERSTANDING LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES
How do people use assets to obtain the outcomes they desire?
Livelihood strategies are the choices people make and the activities they do to achieve their outcomes
Livelihood assets are the capital used in the livelihood strategy
UNDERSTANDING LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES
Investigate the livelihood strategies the target audience is currently utilizing
What is and is not working?
How are these decisions shaped by cultural norms, laws or external forces?
Does your target audience have a different strategy they would like to try?
ENACTUS PROJECT PROCESS
Livelihood Assets
SEE OPPORTUNITYLivelihood Strategies
TAKE ACTIONLivelihood Outcomes
ENABLE PROGRESS
UNDERSTANDING LIVELIHOOD OUTCOMES
Finally, determine the desired livelihood outcomes of your target audience
Outcomes categories match asset categories
Desired outcomes must be identified by the target audience to ensure sustainability
OUTCOME CATEGORIES
FINANCIAL
NATURAL
SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL New job Ability and
means to save money
Becoming an entrepreneur
Income increase
OUTCOME CATEGORIES
NATURAL
FINANCIAL SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL
Improved waste management
Increased biodiversity
Use of natural resources
OUTCOME CATEGORIES
NATURAL
FINANCIAL SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL Increased trust
from community members
Expansion of networks
Relationship building
OUTCOME CATEGORIES
NATURAL
FINANCIAL SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL
Learning a new skill
Acquiring education
Professional development
OUTCOME CATEGORIES
NATURAL
FINANCIAL SOCIAL
HUMAN
PHYSICAL Improved
infrastructure Access to
shelter or transportation
New energy source
KEY IDEAS TO REMEMBER:
Buy-in from the target audience is crucial at all stages of the project
Involving key members of the team and target audience ensures sustainability and understanding
KEY IDEAS TO REMEMBER:
Your team should not assume they fully understand the target audience group, be prepared to listen and learn
Be sure to consider any potential conflict or negative outcomes that may result from your project
A needs assessment form is available in the Enactus Team Handbook 2014-15 for your reference
ENACTUS PROJECT PROCESS
Livelihood Assets
SEE OPPORTUNITYLivelihood Strategies
TAKE ACTIONLivelihood Outcomes
ENABLE PROGRESS
REVISED JUDGING CRITERION:
CONDUCTING A NEEDS ASSESSMENT