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Developing an Impact Assessment Model for Ha’ira’s Sustainable Urbanism Program

NGO's
CONTEXT

Ha’ira is a civil society program dedicated to promoting urban sustainability in Israel's peripheral cities. The program collaborates with local activists, partners, and municipal teams to help these cities execute funded urban initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development.

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CHALLENGE

Ha’ira approached us to build a comprehensive impact assessment model for their expanding program. They needed a framework that could effectively measure the outcomes of their initiatives and guide the program's ongoing development.

APPROACH

We employed a multi-layered approach that integrated observations, literature reviews, and qualitative assessments. Our process included: - Interviews and Workshops: We engaged with participants, staff, and stakeholders to extract valuable insights, understand and formulate the program's underlying change model, and capture the knowledge embedded within the program. - Field Observations: We spent time in one of the cities where Ha’ira operates to directly observe the impact of the program’s initiatives on the ground. - Comprehensive Analysis: We synthesized the information gathered from these activities to develop a robust impact assessment model.

Findings and Results:
Through our research and analysis, we developed a detailed impact assessment model for Ha’ira, along with a suite of measurement tools. These tools included: 1. Questionnaires 2.Interview scripts, and 3. Observation guides. These measurement and assessment tools were  designed to evaluate the program's effectiveness at various stages. The model identified three key stages of impact:

  1. Catalyst for Engagement: Ha’aira’s program serves as a catalyst by deepening the interests of individuals already involved in urban sustainability and attracting new participants and stakeholders.
  2. Fostering Independence: The program empowers cities to take ownership of urban spaces and sustainability efforts, building new capabilities and enhancing the potential for scaling and replicating urban initiatives.
  3. Institutionalizing Urban Sustainability: Over time, Ha’aira’s efforts contribute to the deep institutionalization of urban sustainability, enabling larger projects with exponential impact to materialize.

Impact:
With the 3-tiered impact model in place, Ha’ira now has a structured approach to measure the success of their initiatives. The suite of measurement tools allows the team to conduct ongoing evaluations at six critical points in time, ensuring that the program's impact is effectively tracked and understood. Additionally, our continued support in data collection, analysis, and model refinement will help Ha’aira optimize their approach and enhance the sustainability of their urban initiatives.

Insights: