MozInDev - An online real-time “One-stop-sharing and access” of development knowledge"

To accurately plan, cost-effectively fund, properly monitor and evaluate progress of any development intervention, good quality data is essential. As a popular African saying points out, to get somewhere, it is important to know where you are and where you want to go. Thus, timely, disaggregated and accurate development indicators are needed to inform such an assessment before any development program/project or public policy is conceived but also during and after the implementation. This information helps to avoid duplication of efforts or misallocation of limited resources. Quality and updated information is not easily accessible in Mozambique to guide development programs or students, who also need understandable data when conducting their analysis during their studies and when writing their final thesis. In addition, public opinion in the country is generally not evidence-based due to lack of easy-to-relate-with information. To fill this gap, Mozindev objectives are to: - regularly aggregate and summarize available data in a reader-friendly format while collecting missing information to disseminate to national and international non-governmental organizations, policy makers, decision-makers, academics, students, community-based organizations and public in general. It is assumed that the availability and usability of this information will strengthen a more inclusive development and, thus, strengthen the performance of local (including government) and international development institutions as per the SDGs 16; - promote a one-stop online platform for sharing and accessing high-quality data relevant to development; - contribute to improved accountability and justice by building capacity of students and citizens in general on development issues, through online lecturers using tools such as Mural here, newsletters, and bulk SMS broadcasts through social media engagement platforms to stimulate debate through civic engagement. Regular engagement with key stakeholders and advertisement of Mozindev will be key to the success of this innovative platform.

A coordinated system of data aggregation, new data collection and dissemination is a must need in Mozambique and it is anticipated that if created and largely advertised, the platform will activate high demand. Also, it is foreseen that people will follow up more on the development performance of the country and improve civic engagement and accountability-justice, if they have access to information that speaks to them. Although it is difficult to demonstrate how access to quality, timely and accurate information contributes to development or even just predict how people will react to the disseminated data, it is believed that the following measures can help tracking and evaluating change or success: Short or medium-term: Increased awareness and use of Mozindev platform -MoV: tracking number of membership subscribers, number of website visitors, number of pages viewed per visit, number of participants in online trainings, feedback collected from users including referrals; Increased information use -MoV: tracking number of downloads, number of additional requests for data, references of Mozindev in external publications. Long-term Improved decision and policy-making - better evidenced policies, development strategies, etc. -MOV: tracking references of Mozindev; Improved allocation of foreign and national resources and more cost-effective development interventions- efficiency through reduced duplication of efforts, collaboration and learning between actors - MOV: tracking references of Mozindev; platform, time savings in search of relevant information, increased opportunities identified for synergies-building, increased productivity; Better learning opportunities for students and more informed citizens on countrys development issues -MoV: online trainings evaluations, tracking references of Mozindev in academic papers and civil society position papers and other advocacy mechanisms; Improved users attitudes toward information services- MoV: members satisfaction surveys focusing on content usefulness and quality, willingness and ability to pay will be evaluated to assess utility and sustainability. Mozindev will develop an impact-tracking database combining above quantitative and qualitative indicators.

Mozindev will be a membership-based platform for development institutions to subscribe and constantly share their recently conducted studies and request additional research needs. Based on shared studies, Mozindev staff will produce quartely summaries grouped by Sustainable Development Goals and shared online in a more reader-friendly format. Access to these summaries by development organizations will be free but downloads by general customers will be monetized. Also, based on gaps identified in the available research, Mozindev will develop concept notes highlighting the relevance of conducting research to fill these gaps and pitch them to development agencies for funding. For own research activities Mozindev will leverage existent networks of data collectors country wide, who will be equipped with tablets to collect missing data and share timely for reporting. The expectation here is to reach a point where development agencies will stop engaging directly in research activities and use this platform to access and request needed data. See forecast of growth in attached pictures. Demand activation will be through in-person meetings, social media ads, bulk SMS broadcasts and newsletters. In a long-term perspective, collaborations will also be negotiated with other research institutions in Mozambique. Mozindev will be managed daily by three founding members who regularly engage targeted audiences and lead the above-mentioned work including capacity-building of staff. The structure will have four coordination areas as follows: 1-Data aggregation and production of summaries; 2-Data collection and production of funded research; 3- Data dissemination; and 4- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning/Trainings Manager. Operationally, there will be one Admin/HR & Finance Manager and an assistant. Considering the expected work overload with data aggregation and data collection to produce internal publication on demand, coordinators might recruit assistant analysts on need-basis and will collaborate with a network of data collectors paid on performance basis.

Mozindev has three professional founding members: two senior and one junior, with high and multidisciplinary academic qualifications and professional experience in Project Strategy development and Management, Training, research and knowledge management, which enables the composition of a strong management and research team. The founding members have also built networks of data collectors in every province and district of Mozambique. Those networks will be leveraged to collaborate with the platform. Ms. Hirondina Mondlane is the lead member of the project and her profile is presented below: Hirondina Mondlane, MSc, has more than 17 years experience working with international development agencies: Norwegian, Swedish, English, American and Swiss, engaged in promoting political, economic, social and cultural development. The management responsibilities she has taken during this period include being: 1- Youth Empowerment Market System Portfolio Manager at DAI Global promoting enhanced youth participation in the agri-business sector. Her main role was to encourage young people to propose innovative business ideas and help them to pitch to agri-businesses for investment partnerships; 2-Gender and Business Advisor at the TechnoServe Women-In Business Market System program; and 3- Program Coordinator for Norwegian Peoples Aid in Central and Northern Mozambique with responsibility for program design, management and provision of technical support to 11 partner organizations implementing projects in conservation farming, gender and land rights. Ms. Mondlane is also an expert in facilitation of trainings: Organizational Development, Participatory Governance, Project Management, Women Political and Economic Empowerment, Land and Gender Rights, Climate change, Small-business Management, Financial Literacy and Saving. She independently conducted various studies to inform development initiatives: baseline and mapping studies, Projects evaluations, environmental impact assessments and Market studies. She holds a Masters Degree in development Practice, conferred by the University of Queensland, Australia and Bachelor of International Relations and Diplomacy completed in Mozambique.

planning stage