Three ways capacity builders can use our data

Over 40 capacity builders have used SCOPEinsight’s data to help achieve their programmatic objectives – from improving livelihoods to youth inclusion. There are many ways capacity builders can use our data, but here, we will list three of the most common ones: pinpointing needs, segmenting, and creating a common language.

1. Pinpoint agribusinesses’ capacity building needs

Capacity builders can use the over 200 data points collected from SCOPEinsight assessments to understand the training needs of the agribusinesses with whom they work. It is advisable to conduct assessments at the start of the project to establish a baseline for the agribusinesses. This baseline can feed into a wider set of indicators collected at the beginning of the project. For example, the SCOPE Basic assessment collects around two dozen of the indicators required for USAID’s Feed the Future grants.

A SCOPE Basic assessment collects data on eight dimensions of professionalism. A SCOPE Pro assessment adds a ninth dimension.

The data points collected in these assessments can be included in establishing baselines for other funders as well. The USAID funded CDP entitled Creating an Environment for Cooperative Expansion is a perfect example. Here, our client NCBA CLUSA used SCOPE assessors to collect SCOPE assessment data alongside the project’s other indicators. This created one overall baseline for the project.

There are also other benefits to establishing an early baseline. When a standardized metric establishes the agribusiness’s status at the start of a project, then capacity builders can compare it to later reassessments. This can measure impact or indicate areas that may require more aid. Reassessments can also prove a project’s impact to stakeholders by showing how much an agribusiness has improved.

2. Segment agribusinesses

Segmenting data can make it much more actionable. By grouping agribusinesses that have some attributes in common, you can start digging deeper into their needs or strengths. Choosing which segments to examine depends on the development question you are trying to answer. For example, in the graphic below, agribusinesses are segmented according to their level of professionalism (overall and in specific dimensions). This helps capacity builders target the low hanging fruit as well as build a targeted technical assistance program for weaker agribusinesses.

By segmenting data, you can track trends and prioritize your work.

Segmenting data can be very important to be sure that the agribusinesses that are most likely to succeed get the proper support. This is something that many capacity builders understand, like the Dutch consultancy Agriterra. The founder of Agriterra, Kees Blokland, claims that ambitious farmers are the ones most likely to succeed, and that by assessing agribusinesses, it is possible to determine which ones can cause the most impactful change. When programs focus on those specific agribusinesses, they are more likely to see progress and success. That success will in turn create future opportunities for other farmers and agribusinesses in the area. It is by segmenting that a capacity builder can see where they should focus their efforts.

3. Create a common language

A common language is often helpful to support agribusinesses and the projects that work with them. A common language means that everyone involved in the process can understand each other, whether those people are agribusinesses, BDS providers, donors, financial institutions, or anyone else who may work with the program. This can be helpful in communicating results, or in showing impact with reassessments. When everyone is on the same page, they can communicate more effectively.

A common language can be helpful in many situations, including creating access to finance for agribusinesses.

A common language can be particularly helpful in creating access to finance. It makes the interaction between agribusinesses and banks easier because there is agreement on professionalism as defined by indicators or measures. This can be seen in many projects in which we have participated. For example, our work with Rikolto in Nicaragua led to a farming cooperative COOSEMPODA making great strides towards professionalism. This led to the Belgian investment fund Kampani making an investment in this cooperative. Kampani was able to make their investment with certainty because they knew, thanks to COOSEMPODA’s SCOPE score, that COOSEMPODA was professional and a good investment.

Other benefits to using SCOPE data

While these three uses of data are some of the most common for capacity builders, they are far from the only ways our data can be used. Capacity builders can use the data from their assessments to create benchmarks, track progress, or even link to other programs like the IFC’s Agribusiness Leadership Program. Our data can be used in many ways and for many reasons, as we will explore in more depth in future articles in this series.

Are you interested in using SCOPE data for one of your own projects? Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve impressive project results.

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