2.3 Result Based Management

In order to achieve our goal we offer children, young people and families a range of programmes related to preventing child-family separation, family based care, education, youth employment, and humanitarian response and emergency aid. This does not mean our programmes are designed according to a fixed format; all the projects are context-specific and customised. After all, we cannot expect the same action to always deliver the same result. Just because something works in one place does not mean it will be as successful somewhere else. Simply because the problem, the circumstances, the parties with whom we cooperate are different in each location, and also change over time.

Systematic customisation This is something we have to take into account. During a programme’s planning phase it is necessary to examine the needs, plan results, define the approach that would work best and with which partner we can best cooperate. During the implementation phase, it is necessary to check whether the programme is running as we envisaged, if the intended goals are being achieved and what adjustments are needed.

We must systematically plan, monitor and adjust the programmes where needed and evaluate them, precisely because there is no recipe for success. Result Based Management (RBM) is an adequate methodology for achieving this.

RBM training

We began introducing the RBM methodology throughout the federation in 2017. The international office in Innsbruck, Austria, has developed training material and gave a course to approximately 60 staff members – on different continents, often those who are already responsible for assessing results in their organisation. Every RBM trainer in this pool gives a couple of training courses a year.

In 2018 and 2019, this approach has meant that an impressive number of country teams have been trained in RBM. In 2020, we could not continue the training courses due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the corresponding restrictions related to travel and meeting in person. This is why in the year in review the training course was adapted for use online, so that in 2021, the courses can also take place without any physical presence.

Connecting financial systems and data collection to RBM In 2020, the process did get underway to better connect the federation-wide financial systems and data collection method to RBM. The RBM training material was also expanded, with a greater focus on coaching after the training course has taken place.

The countries trained in RBM and with which we work closely are Uganda, Ghana, Chad and Guinea-Bissau.