GIZ: Development of a digitalisation strategy and framework for Lesotho

Mainlevel’s contribution

Mainlevel is conceptualising, developing and implementing a digital strategy for the PISA programme in Lesotho based on comprehensive field missions and user-needs assessments. Based on the digital strategy, Mainlevel develops digital solutions responding to identified needs and potentials – including the following outputs:

• A digital M&E system including a mobile app for data collection and a web-based platform for analysing and reporting on collected data
• A user-friendly collaboration platform as a digital workspace to enhance internal and external knowledge management and communication
• An online communication strategy and supervision of the development of a public website to increase the visibility and outreach of the PISA programme
• A range of mobile apps supporting civic participation (through improved digital feedback mechanisms to local administrations) and civic mobilisation (through supporting youth in civic action)

Mainlevel also defines dedicated support strategies for data security, communication and capacity-building to ensure the sustainability of the digital strategy and the digital solutions.

Background information

The “Participatory Initiative for Social Accountability” (PISA) is a country-wide programme in Lesotho that supports civic education, community mobilization and civic participation that is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU).

PISA aims to contribute to a vibrant and open democracy in Lesotho, where citizens know, demand and exercise their rights and responsibilities, and in which government representatives supply accountability and transparency. PISA largely relies on ‘traditional’ face-to-face, community-based communication and media methods. Given the rapid growth of mobile phone usage in the country, digital solutions and social media present a huge potentials to increase the effectiveness, efficiency and reach of the programme. Therefore, PISA requires an integrated digital platform to support both the programme`s activities and management processes.

Mainlevel is developing and implementing a digital strategy for the programme in a user-centred, agile process which will improve collaboration, programme monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as well as the outreach of the programme activities through a range of digital tools. This includes dedicated support strategies for communication and capacity-building to ensure the sustainability of the digital strategy.