Strengthening M&E in Remote Regions


Strengthening M&E in Remote Regions

The Berghof Foundation is utilizing WhatsApp Surveys in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Iraq

To support its mission of fostering peace through dialogue and mediation support, the Berghof Foundation has adopted Impaxio’s tailored WhatsApp surveys. As a leading organization in conflict transformation, Berghof also operates in remote areas and with hard-to-reach actors which makes gathering data challenging. Using Impaxio’s innovative mobile survey platform, Berghof has managed to bridge this gap to enhance its Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) processes and strengthen donor reporting.

Maintaining consistent communication is essential for tracking project progress and assessing impact. However, security issues and long travel distances often limit in-person visits. By leveraging WhatsApp surveys, Berghof ensures it gathers timely insights and quantifiable data from local teams and stakeholders, even in difficult-to-access regions. This approach not only enhances data collection but also saves significant time and costs associated with travel and logistics.

“WhatsApp surveys enable us to gain rapid insights from our field staff and local mediators, which is crucial for understanding developments and assessing the impact of our initiatives,” explains Dr. Andreas Schädel, MEL Advisor at the Berghof Foundation. “The data we collect through Impaxio’s easy-to-use platform enables us to continuously improve our approaches and align them with evolving challenges and participant needs on the ground and is highly valuable for our donor reporting, where rigor and quantifiable data are becoming increasingly important,” he adds. “Throughout the process, Impaxio has provided excellent support and advice, ensuring that we can effectively leverage their platform to meet our needs,” Dr. Schädel emphasizes.

To enhance engagement, the surveys are conducted through a branded WhatsApp channel customized with the Berghof Foundation’s logo, creating familiarity and trust among respondents. Automated airtime top-ups are provided as incentives upon survey completion. These features have boosted participation and ensured a steady stream of valuable data.

“We are proud to support the Berghof Foundation’s essential peacebuilding efforts with our comprehensive WhatsApp and SMS survey platform,” says Dr. Michael Brander, Co-Director of Impaxio. “Our mission is to facilitate efficient and accessible mobile-based data collection, which not only supports operational needs but also provides the robust, quantifiable insights needed for donor reporting,” he adds.

For the Berghof Foundation, the solution has already shown promising results, with team members in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Iraq actively using the platform. The foundation plans to expand its use to other country teams as well.

Further information about the Berghof Foundation:

https://berghof-foundation.org/

Further information about Impaxio:
https://www.impaxio.com

Picture credit: Photo © Berghof Foundation