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 SOCIAL ECONOMIC THINGS TO CONSIDER

ENACTUS PROJECT PROCESS Livelihood Assets SEE OPPORTUNITY Livelihood Strategies TAKE ACTION Livelihood 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 ACTION Livelihood Assets SEE OPPORTUNITY Livelihood 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 OPPORTUNITY Livelihood Strategies TAKE ACTION Livelihood 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 for your reference

ENACTUS PROJECT PROCESS Livelihood Assets SEE OPPORTUNITY Livelihood Strategies TAKE ACTION Livelihood Outcomes ENABLE PROGRESS

REVISED JUDGING CRITERION: CONDUCTING A NEEDS ASSESSMENT