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Description
The main aim of this project is to increase the financial stability of PROVIDUS.
Financial stability would empower PROVIDUS to reach additional public benefit goals (improve Latvia''s governance, increase Latvia''s influence in the European Union, improve Latvian public policy relating to citizen engagement, rule of law, consolidation of society and in other domains). It is feasible under condition that PROVIDUS obtains additional sources of funding, especially consultancy contracts, that are not related to specific projects. Therefore PROVIDUS as an organisation under the framework of this Project improve its internet presence, as a result of which it will be easier to locate by potential clients who are looking for service providers in Latvia (relating to research, training and event organisation). For this purpose, the Project will help to develop the mobile edition of PROVIDUS'' website, the website will also undergo search engine optimization and it will be available in several languages. The Project will permit PROVIDUS'' researchers (5 persons) to obtain new skills on data analysis and on building presentations. Additionally, as part of this Project, PROVIDUS intends to join the "Innovation in Politics" international network, to develop it own data security policy, and to develop a monitoring and evaluation system for the organisation.
Summary of project results
The project "Capacity building for the Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS" aimed to address several core challenges affecting the organization''s stability and effectiveness. Financial stability was a primary concern, as PROVIDUS was overly reliant on project-based funding, which restricted flexibility in responding to emerging issues and made it difficult to retain qualified experts on a continuous basis. Without stable, independent funding, PROVIDUS could not sustain its core team and administrative costs between projects, limiting its ability to engage in continuous advocacy efforts and provide consistent support to other NGOs.
Another challenge was the need to expand the expert network to cover a wide range of policy areas, ensuring that PROVIDUS maintained the necessary expertise to pursue its goals and secure additional funding. Limited financial resources had already caused a reduction in permanent staff, impacting the organization''s capacity to attract new talent. Additionally, improving the skills and knowledge of current experts was essential to maintaining high standards of public advocacy. However, PROVIDUS experts often lacked time to acquire new skills in technology, data visualization, and presentation, which affected the organization''s public image.
The project also aimed to address internal process improvements, as PROVIDUS faced challenges in managing large volumes of data accumulated since its founding in 2002. There was a need to organize data handling processes to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and to protect public and private data on its website from potential cyber threats. Furthermore, there was an identified need for a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to effectively set goals and assess organizational impact.
The "Capacity Building for the Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS" project focused on improving the organization’s digital infrastructure, expanding multilingual access, enhancing online visibility, and building international networks. PROVIDUS redesigned its website, including mobile optimization, to improve accessibility and functionality. Key content was translated into multiple languages, broadening reach to international audiences. To increase online presence, a strategic approach to search engine optimization (SEO) was developed, targeting key search terms. PROVIDUS also conducted research on international consulting rates to align its pricing strategies with market standards.
The project included digital literacy training for staff, covering topics such as copywriting, Excel, SEO, and data security, enhancing their technical and digital skills. PROVIDUS took preliminary steps to join the Innovation in Politics network, fostering connections with potential collaborators. Efforts toward developing a data security policy were initiated to secure organizational data. Additionally, a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system was set up to guide goal-setting and assess impact, ensuring that PROVIDUS can effectively measure and refine its strategic efforts in the future.
The project "Capacity building for Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS" significantly enhanced the organization''s capabilities. It led to a more modern and accessible website, improved information availability in multiple languages, and the development of a robust data protection policy. Additionally, PROVIDUS implemented a system for setting organizational goals and assessing impact, contributing to its overall growth. The project also aimed at increasing non-project revenues by 10 percentage points, with long-term goals set for post-project achievement. Through these efforts, the project bolstered PROVIDUS''s ability to influence and contribute effectively to public policy development and civic engagement. PROVIDUS has not only strengthened itself but also developed tools and products, such as privacy policies and security guidelines, which could benefit other organizations as well.