How IUCN uses Impact Track to monitor its programs and share best practices
IUCN is one of the world's leading non-governmental organizations dedicated to the protection of nature. It brings together the world's most influential organizations and experts in a combined effort to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development.
With the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), IUCN has launched the MARPLASTICCs (Marine Plastics and Coastal Communities) initiative in Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam, with the aim of promoting, adopting and implementing measures to contain and reduce plastic pollution of the oceans. The initiative is structured around four main pillars: analysis and knowledge of the issues; capacity building and means of action; public policy and the private sector.
As part of the “capacity building and means of action pillar”, MARPLASTICCs has supported 5 projects in these countries promoting circular economy strategies to reduce plastic leakage into the ocean.
How to monitor and evaluate the social impact of the program’s projects in a win-win spirit?
IUCN faced 2 major challenges:
- Monitoring projects: The NGO was looking for a common method to monitor the progress of the projects and capitalize on their learnings so as to share them with and benefit other plastic pollution reduction initiatives.
- Strengthening their skills: To support projects in evaluating their actions and impacts, IUCN wanted to strengthen their knowledge and skills in impact measurement. A classic "top-down" approach was out of the question, as it was too complex, unstimulating and offered little added value for project leaders.
The solution: motivate projects owners and empower them to measure their social impact
IUCN commissioned Impact Track to support and equip 5 initiatives financed by MARPLASTICCs in defining, monitoring and communicating their impacts. To ensure active participation in training courses and ongoing use of Impact Track, impact measurement milestones were defined as a condition of access to financial support.
Concrete contribution in the field
Project leaders have integrated the impact measurement and management process into their strategy, enabling them to :
- validate their value proposition on the basis of relevant indicators
- Identify areas for improvement to better meet the needs of their stakeholders
- Communicate about their impact measurement process and results and involve stakeholders
“Our impact is the measurable and tangible way in which we improve the social and environmental problems we face in Ranong. Impact Track is an incredible resource that allows us to communicate our impact to our audience and our donors.”
Laurence Pian - President of the Jan & Oscar Foundation, partner of the Moken project
“Measuring and sharing your impact is about being transparent, committed to improving along the way and being part of the collective and inspiring effort of finding solutions that could address the biggest challenges of our time.”
Maíra Vallardes – General Director, 3R
Discover the projects’ social impact
Thaïlande - Moken Guardians of the Sea: Safeguarding the Ocean from Plastics
Kenya - Kilifi County Circular Economy Enterprises