Ibrahima Gueye is the executive director of the NGO JED-Jeunesse et Développement (Youth and Development), founded in 1988 by the Éclaireuses Et Éclaireurs Du Sénégal (Scouts of Senegal) association and a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. JED supports the comprehensive development of young people through education, vocational training, health, youth integration, access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and ecological transition and living environment. The organization is present in all 14 regions of Senegal, with five operational offices and national programs. It has between 9,000 and 10,000 members and its impact reaches 100,000 young people.
Remind us of the steps your organization has taken to obtain the Ampli label.
[vc_column width= »1/2″]We have a long-standing commitment to Equipop for the OD (Organizational Development) process. In particular, we have developed an improvement plan for our organizational capacity and support functions. In 2020, we began the process of obtaining certification. Our aim was to measure our level of progress and operational effectiveness. We initially applied for Level 3 certification, believing that our efforts across all our processes warranted this level. Along the way, we realized that we had aimed too high. Although we had made real progress, we had not reached the level in all areas. This led us to back down and ultimately apply for Level 2. It's already a lot of work to send the documents, receive the on-site audit, and answer the questions from the certification committee. But it paid off because, in June, we received Level 2 certification.
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What results and changes have emerged as a result of this approach?
The process allows us to take a look back at our procedures and measure the impact of all the efforts and processes we have put in place. The various steps towards certification have led us to revisit every aspect of our organization. This has enabled us to see the progress we have made and the milestones we have reached. This process allows us to formalize things that were latent but needed to be addressed. It allows us to realize our level, our limits, and the challenges for the future. We have truly been confronted with our challenges.
Would you recommend other organizations to pursue certification?
This dynamic encourages in-depth questioning. An organization that does not question itself will remain stuck in its comfort zone, thinking that it is doing things right. However, there is undoubtedly much that could be systematized. Certification can also have a major impact on promotion. Donors, in particular, can appreciate that, thanks to the certification, the organization has put in place the essential elements to become more efficient. When an external organization certifies you in a transparent process, it is a great proof of reliability for third parties. When we receive external requests, we are able to respond faster and better because the elements have already been gathered for certification. This allows us to be more relaxed with partners. It facilitates other relationships with donors. Third parties see that we are in control and have all the elements at our disposal. It was also an internal challenge for each department head and for the organization as a whole to say: we are going to achieve this goal. This created a dynamic of wanting to improve processes. As a team, we told ourselves that we had to consolidate our efforts. Not for the certification, not for Equipop, but for ourselves.
