IFCD | Results of the last cycle

Atelier cultures numériques comme levier de développement au TOGO

Project ID: 2018-1031

Name of applicant:

Association togolaise Culture-Développement (CUL.DEV)

Country of applicant:

Togo

Type of applicant:

NGO

Amount requested:

99.961,00

Beneficiary country(ies):

Togo

Status:

Non Recommended

Total Score: 24.5

IFCD Submissions details

Project Applications submitted by INGOs do not require the pre-selection of a National Commission.

IFCD Submissions details

Eligibility | Technical Assessment

IFCD Eligibility form - p-cambier - 05/30/2018 - 16:30

Submitted by p-cambier on 30 May 2018

Eligibility Status:

Eligible

Technical Examination

Submitted by the deadline:

Yes

Application Form submitted either in English or French:

Yes

Maximum amount requested is US$ 100,000 or below:

Yes

Project implementation period is between 12 and 24 months:

Yes

All sections of the Form are completed:

Yes

Signature of applicant:

Yes

The applicant does not have an ongoing IFCD funded project:

Yes

Falls within the areas of intervention of IFCD:

Yes

IF PARTY OR NGO

Party to the 2005 Convention from developing countries:

Yes

Official document/ statutes (with English or French translation if necessary):

Yes

IFCD Submissions details

Experts Evaluations

EVALUATION GRID
8 points	The project proposal addresses perfectly all relevant aspect of the criterion under consideration. The answer provides all the information needed and there are no concerns or areas of weakness
6-7 points	The proposal addressed the criterion well, although some improvements could be made. The answer gives clear information on all or nearly all of the evidence needed.
5-4 points	The project proposal broadly addresses the criterion, but there are still some weaknesses. The answer gives some relevant information, but there are several areas where detail is lacking or the information is unclear.
3-2 points	The project proposal does not entirely address the criterion or cannot be judged properly due to missing or incomplete information. The answer does not necessarily address the question asked, or gives very little relevant information.
1 point	The project proposal barely addresses the criterion. There is a clear lack of relevant information that makes it extremely difficult to judge whether the question asked is addressed.
0 points	The project proposal fails to address the criterion or cannot be assessed due to the lack of pertinent information. The answer does not address the question asked, or does not provide relevant information.

Expert 1

Sub-Total Expert 1 : 13

IFCD Expert Evaluation form - s_gardner - 06/01/2018 - 19:15

Submitted by s_gardner on 01 Jun 2018

Brief summary of the project:

The Digital Culture Workshop project involves the presentation of a training workshop aimed at building the capacity of 12 young women under 40 to be able to develop their skills in digital entrepreneurship. The training aims to provide an understanding of methods of intervention in the field of development projects and to examine good practices related to digital culture from the point of view of cultural operators. The project will also aim to assist the women in creating businesses individually or in groups; and will create a platform for exchange and sharing of experiences between entrepreneurs, as well as mentoring.

1. RELEVANCE AND APPROPRIATENESS OF THE PROJECT TO THE OBJECTIVES AND AREAS OF INTERVENTION OF THE IFCD

1.1 Please describe how the project objectives and proposed impact/long-term benefits are aligned with at least one of the IFCD’s outcomes and associated expected results.:

The application states that the project meets ER 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 as well as 4.1 and 4.2. In relation to ERs4, the application refers to employability of women, capacity building; creating enterprises; networking; and raising visibility. It also refers to the Fund for Aid to Culture provided by the Ministry, advocacy and the impact on public policymaking processes.

1.2 How do the objectives of this project proposal meet the current needs and priorities of the country/ region in terms of cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

Yes, it will address the needs of Togo. Togo created its Cultural Policy in 2011 and that led to a national 10 year Strategic Plan (whose development was supported by the IFCD). As a result there is now the (FAC) Fund for Assistance to Culture but in that, only one of the funded projects was about digital art and less than 2 percent of funded artists were women. Furthermore, while there is now a Ministry dealing with the Digital Economy, this is not addressing women or young people.

1.3 To what extent are the project’s objectives specific and measurable?:

The basic outputs of the project are measurable eg in terms of numbers of participants and the creation of a platform but larger objectives are not addressed.

1.4 To what extent does the project contribute to the promotion of gender equality, the empowerment of youth, South-South and North-South-South cooperation and/or the participation of various groups in the areas of intervention of the IFCD?:

The project focusses on gender equality.

Score:

2. FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, AS WELL AS THE RELEVANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS MODALITIES OF EXECUTION

2.1 What elements demonstrate the applicant’s organizational capacity (main activities of the institution/organization) and competence (skills and background of staff) to implement the work plan and manage the budget?:

While the application says that the applicant, CUL-DEV, was created only in 2018, the certificate of incorporation says it was created in 2012. There is a small team involved in delivery of the project which is headed by a man (M Comlanvi). It is not clear if there are women involved in the management team or if the project's management would provide any opportunities for women.

2.2 To what extent do the activities address relevant issues? Please explain how the methodology is appropriate to achieving the objectives?:

The workshop is in general a good idea but will only benefit 20 young women so its impact would be quite limited. There is insufficient information about who and how the training will be provided.

2.3 To what extent is the time frame realistic and coherent with the activities?:

13 months is proposed for the project with 8 months for the training but there is little information what will occur during that period. It seems to be a long time to be dedicated to training only 20 participants.

2.4 Have the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project been clearly identified? To what extent are the outputs/deliverables and main activities relevant to the target beneficiaries and address their needs?:

The beneficiaries have been identified as mainly just the 20 women in the training. More thought should have been given to this issue, and in particular the indirect beneficiaries, for the project to have been more viable.

Score:

3. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

3.1 Does the budget provide for adequate resources (salaries, fees, equipment, travel, communication, etc.) necessary for success of the project? If the budget has been overestimated or underestimated, please explain how.:

It is difficult to match the budget to the activities and draw a clear connection to the objectives. There is reference to the cost of the 4 expert trainers but it is not clear how these will be selected.

3.2 What proportion of the budget is allocated to project activities versus overhead costs? Does the budget seem adequate and overhead costs estimated in compliance with the limit to a maximum of 30% of the total project budget?:

37% of the amount requested will be spent on salaries and 54% on ‘Other costs and services’, and 6% on travel. The only amount budgeted on communications is for a press conference to launch the call with no follow up or promotion after the training (which brings into question ideas of sustainability). Only $1,132 is allowed for the exchange platform which seems insufficient.

3.3 Does the project proposal indicate any additional financial contributions to the project, such as co-funding and/or self- funding?:

An amount of about 6% will be provided as in-kind support by the applicant in terms of office space and furniture etc.

3.4 What actions have been foreseen to ensure financial accountability (e.g. Involvement of a financial officer)?:

The financial management will be according the West African Standard accounting system (OHADA). Systems are in place to manage payment authorisations etc. However, there does not appear to be separate qualified auditors involved and this would be advisable.

Score :

4. IMPACT AND EXPECTED RESULTS, INCLUDING POTENTIAL FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE

4.1 Are the project’s expected outputs and/or deliverables concrete, measurable and realistic? To what extent are they likely to achieve the objectives of the project?:

Only to a limited extent – outputs are only assessed as the number of women completing the training and the creation of the platform, without any deeper assessment of, for example, the quality of the training.

4.2 To what extent are the main activities and the budget relevant and appropriate to achieving the intended outputs and/or deliverables?:

To the limited extent of the objectives, the budget and activities serve that purpose.

4.3 To what extent is it expected that this project will have an impact/long-term benefits on the country/region’s cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

To a very limited extent. One can imagine that if the training were to be successful, that one of the participants may have some impact later in her career but this is outside of the scope of the project.

4.4 To what extent does the project demonstrate potential for structural change (for example: changes in the policy environment; far-reaching changes in public and professional organizational structures; and changes in the way government and regulatory authorities do business)?:

There is virtually no evidence that this project could show effectively that it can lead to structural or policy change.

Score:

5. SUSTAINABILITY

5.1 To what extent are contractors and partners involved in the implementation of the project’s activities? Has the role of each contractor and/or partner been clearly described?:

The partners proposed are mainly the Ministries (Digital Economy, Culture, Youth Employment and Development etc…). The applicant refers to the potential to create partnerships with private sector and IGOs but this is not firmly established.

5.2 How does the project relate to and/or complement the work that is already being carried out in the country/region in terms of cultural policies and/or industries?:

Refer to 1.2 regarding Togo’s national plan for Culture and the work of the Ministry for Digital Economy. There is clearly a need for this type of project to meet the needs of the sector and women and ‘put in place an ecosystem favoring the development of a service industry’ but it is not clear to what extent this project can adequately meet those needs.

5.3 What measures/steps are proposed to ensure that the project’s impact/long-term benefits can be achieved?:

The applicant aims to engage public bodies (Ministries) in the project; create a support fund for women in the digital sector (funded by digital industry); A lobby group for women leaders to advocate to decision makers; however it is not clear if all these things can be achieved within the resources and project plan presented.

5.4 What measures/steps are proposed to follow up with the beneficiaries of the project after its completion?:

The plan is to create an online platform to ‘support, share and exchange experiences’ after the project is completed but it is not clear if this actually feasible from a practical or financial point of view.

Score:

Overall evaluation:

The concept of the digital workshop and providing support for women to start digital enterprises is a good one and would be valuable to meet the needs of Togo. However, there is not sufficient evidence that the project, as presented would be large enough, well managed or sufficiently deeply embedded to have a significant impact given the sizeable grant requested.

Expert 2

Sub-Total Expert 2 : 11.5

IFCD Expert Evaluation form - - 06/05/2018 - 17:40

Submitted by on 05 Jun 2018

Brief summary of the project:

Il s’agit de former à l’entreprenariat numérique 12 jeunes femmes (-40 ans), qui sont sélectionnées en fonction des idées innovantes qu’elles portent, cette formation étant censée leur permettre d’améliorer leurs compétences et de les rendre opérationnelles en facilitant la création d’une entreprise par chacune d’entre elles. L’élaboration d’une plateforme d’échanges entre ces femmes entrepreneures doit permettre le partage entre elles d’expériences en ligne.

1. RELEVANCE AND APPROPRIATENESS OF THE PROJECT TO THE OBJECTIVES AND AREAS OF INTERVENTION OF THE IFCD

1.1 Please describe how the project objectives and proposed impact/long-term benefits are aligned with at least one of the IFCD’s outcomes and associated expected results.:

Le projet s’inscrit dans les objectifs ER3 (1, 2 et 3) et ER4 (1 et 2).

1.2 How do the objectives of this project proposal meet the current needs and priorities of the country/ region in terms of cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

Compte tenu du grand retard du Togo en matière de financement de projets dans le secteur de l’art numérique, le projet s’inscrit bien dans les tentatives visant à combler ce déficit.

1.3 To what extent are the project’s objectives specific and measurable?:

La formation elle-même consiste à accompagner les femmes sélectionnées dans le processus de création d’une entreprise ; le nombre d’entreprises créées et en activité à l’issue du processus de formation fait office de mesure du succès de l’opération.

Le projet répond à l’objectif d’égalité des sexes par le renforcement des capacités professionnelles des femmes entrepreneures, âgées de moins de 40 ans. Il ne met en œuvre qu’une coopération Sud-Sud limitée au Togo et ne mobilise que du personnel appartenant à l’association responsable (CUL. DEV).

Score:

2. FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, AS WELL AS THE RELEVANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS MODALITIES OF EXECUTION

L’ONG en charge du projet, CUL. DEV, est indiquée comme ayant été créée en 2018 ; une demande de création d’association a été déposée en 2004, l’autorisation officielle n’a été accordée qu’en 2012, et l’activité réelle de CUL. DEV entre 2012 et 2018 n’est pas précisée. Son objet est décrit comme ayant « pour but de redynamiser le secteur culturel par des actions de valorisation, de formation et d’échanges culturels nationaux et internationaux », mais aucune réalisation concrète n’est mentionnée. L’équipe comprend 4 personnes, dont seul le Président de l’association semble avoir une réelle expérience

2.2 To what extent do the activities address relevant issues? Please explain how the methodology is appropriate to achieving the objectives?:

Les 4 personnes en charge du projet sont chargées de la coordination, de l’organisation et du contrôle financier. Mais les activité principles concernent la formation elle-même, qui est censée être assurée par « 4 experts et expertes en entrepreneuriat numérique avec la mention : « à recruter » sans plus de précisions sur leurs competences.

2.3 To what extent is the time frame realistic and coherent with the activities?:

La formation proprement dite dure 8 mois (mars 2019-octobre 2019) et a lieu en même temps que la création et l’animation de la plateforme d’échange et de soutien aux entrepreneures. Cela pourrait être raisonnable si le personnel formateur était plus nombreux et ses compétences mieux décrites.

Les bénéficiaires directs sont bien identifiées : les 12 femmes sélectionnées. Ce n’est pas le cas des bénéficiaires indirects, indiqués sous le libellé « futurs utilisateurs des solutions proposées par les projets financés et la société en général ».

Score:

3. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

La part du budget consacrée aux salaires/honoraires (37,5%) concerne les 4 coordonnateurs sur la durée du projet (1 an) et les 4 formateurs sur la durée de la formation (8 mois): il n'y a pas de description de compétences de ces derniers qui devront pourtant jouerun rôle important dans le déroulement du projet

La part la plus importante du budget (54%) apparaît sous le libellé « Autres coûts et services » et concerne pour l’essentiel le « financement des activités de démarrage des entreprises » (36% du budget total) sans que soit précisé de quel type de dépenses il s’agit ou à quel type de contractants cela s’adresse.

3.3 Does the project proposal indicate any additional financial contributions to the project, such as co-funding and/or self- funding?:

La contribution financière additionnelle provident de l’association CUL. DEV qui pilote le projet et concerne uniquement les frais généraux, qu’elle prend en charge en quasi-totalité.

3.4 What actions have been foreseen to ensure financial accountability (e.g. Involvement of a financial officer)?:

La gestion financière est assurée par un membre de CUL. DEV (maîtrise en gestion). Aucun expert financier extérieur n’est sollicité.

Score :

4. IMPACT AND EXPECTED RESULTS, INCLUDING POTENTIAL FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE

4.1 Are the project’s expected outputs and/or deliverables concrete, measurable and realistic? To what extent are they likely to achieve the objectives of the project?:

Les résultats attendus sont concrets et mesurables : effectif des participantes à la formation, nombre de créations d’entreprises, création d’une plateforme d’échanges en ligne destinée aux entrepreneures).

4.2 To what extent are the main activities and the budget relevant and appropriate to achieving the intended outputs and/or deliverables?:

Les principales activités et le budget semblent appropriés à la poursuite des résultats escomptés, sous réserve de la compétence des formateurs qui seront recrutés.

4.3 To what extent is it expected that this project will have an impact/long-term benefits on the country/region’s cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

Il est possible que le projet ait une influence positive au-delà de la création des 12 entreprises, grâce notamment à l’élaboration de la plateforme d’échange et de partage d’expériences en ligne, mais cela reste difficile à évaluer a priori.

Le projet ne démontre un potentiel de changement structurel que de façon modeste.

Score:

5. SUSTAINABILITY

5.1 To what extent are contractors and partners involved in the implementation of the project’s activities? Has the role of each contractor and/or partner been clearly described?:

De nombreux partenaires sont cités (quatre ministères, diverses associations basées au Togo, des institutions internationales comme l’UNESCO…), mais les modalités de leur aide ne sont pas indiquées.

5.2 How does the project relate to and/or complement the work that is already being carried out in the country/region in terms of cultural policies and/or industries?:

Le projet vient certainement combler, même modestement, un vide au sein de la politique culturelle du Togo, mais il ne semble pas être articulé directement aux souhaits exprimés par la lettre de Mission ministérielle (Postes et Economie numérique), qui sont très généraux (faciliter l’accès à internet, intégrer les TIC dans l’éducation, mettre en place un écosystème favorisant le développement d’une industrie des services…).

5.3 What measures/steps are proposed to ensure that the project’s impact/long-term benefits can be achieved?:

Les indicateurs permettant d’évaluer si les bénéfices à long terme du projet peuvent être atteints ne sont pas précisés.

5.4 What measures/steps are proposed to follow up with the beneficiaries of the project after its completion?:

Création d’un réseau à partir de la plateforme d’échange et de partage d’expériences entre entrepreneures afin de renforcer la culture numérique des jeunes femmes créant des entreprises.

Score:

Overall evaluation:

L’objectif du projet est intéressant et rentre bien dans le cadre général des programmes IFCD/I40. Mais davantage de précisions auraient été souhaitables quant aux modalités de sa réalisation (compétences de l’ONG CUL. DEV, caractéristiques des formateurs qui doivent être recrutés, contrôle financier du budget, liens avec les pouvoirs locaux/nationaux), et le montant du budget demandé paraît excessif compte tenu du nombre de personnes concernées (12) et de la durée de formation (1 an).

IFCD Submissions details

Recommandation review

IFCD Recommendation form - - 06/08/2018 - 17:55

Submitted by on 08 Jun 2018

Recommendation Status:

Non recommended

Evaluation summary:

As a result, your application was considered to be eligible and therefore has been sent for evaluation to the Panel of Experts appointed by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Unfortunately, it was not recommended for funding. For more details, please check experts' evaluation.