I am Jonas SAGNO, a seasoned sociologist with over 15 years of experience in the fields of development and humanitarian assistance. My expertise encompasses the management, coordination, and effective implementation of complex projects in critical sectors such as social protection, education, democratic governance, livelihoods & food security, and capacity building of local partners and stakeholders.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the well-being of vulnerable populations through strategic program coordination and implementation. Notably, I have significant experience in health and food security, as well as food security and nutritional surveillance, having worked with Africare and Action Contre la Faim (ACF) respectively.
My extensive experience in evaluating programs, particularly in the areas of food security and sustainable agriculture, aligns with EvalForward's mission to enhance evaluation capacities at the country level and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.
As the current Director of Programs and Resource Mobilization at GIGANTESQ CONNEXION (GICO) in Guinea, I lead initiatives focused on socio-economic and cultural development in Guinea, empowering youth, women, and vulnerable groups through digital means, entrepreneurship, environmental education, and the promotion of democracy and good governance.
I am enthusiastic about joining EvalForward to share my insights, collaborate with other professionals, and further enhance my skills in evaluating progress towards sustainable agricultural development and food security.
Guinea
Jonas SAGNO
Programs and Resource Mobilization Director
Gigantesq Connexion NGO
Posted on 08/01/2025
Dear colleagues,
The evaluation of scaling-up efforts is a crucial challenge, especially in the Guinean context where innovations and development programs play a vital role in improving food security, agriculture, and rural development. In Guinea, where resources are often limited and needs are immense, it is imperative to measure the real impact of our initiatives to ensure they truly benefit local populations.
Take the example of sustainable agriculture. In Guinea, several innovative projects aim to improve agricultural yields and promote sustainable farming practices. However, evaluating the success of these projects is not limited to measuring agricultural yields. It is essential to consider the impact on local communities, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. Evaluators must adopt a holistic approach, integrating the perspectives of farmers, local organizations, and policymakers [1][2].
Another crucial aspect is the complexity of the systems in which these innovations are implemented. In Guinea, development projects often involve multiple partners, each with its own objectives and contexts. Evaluating scaling-up in this context requires appropriate methods to capture this complexity. Evaluators must not only measure immediate results but also understand the underlying dynamics and interactions between the different actors [3][4].
It is also crucial to ensure that the people affected by these innovations drive the effort to amplify the impact. In Guinea, this means actively involving local communities in the evaluation process. Their voices and experiences must be at the heart of our analyses to ensure that the innovations truly address their needs and aspirations [2][5].
In conclusion, evaluating scaling-up efforts in Guinea requires an integrated and participatory approach. We must go beyond traditional indicators to capture the true scope and impact of our initiatives. Together, we can develop more robust and adapted evaluation methods, ensuring that our scaling-up efforts contribute genuinely to Guinea's sustainable and inclusive development.
I invite you to share your experiences and thoughts on this critical subject. Together, we can enrich our understanding and improve our practices for a sustainable and meaningful impact.
Sincerely,
Jonas Sagno
References:
[1] https://mptf.undp.org/sites/default/files/documents/rapport_final_evaluation_finale_projet_isp_vf.pdf
[2] https://www.evalforward.org/fr/discussions/levaluation-des-actions-de-mise-lechelle-mesurer-ce-qui-compte
[3] https://gret.org/appel-doffres/evaluation-finale-du-projet-doperationnalisation-de-lapproche-one-health-a-lechelle-communale-en-guinee-forestiere/
[4] https://www.globalpartnership.org/fr/node/document/download?file=document%2Ffile%2F2020-06-06-evaluation-sommative-appui-du-pme-guinee.pdf
[5] https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000375769
[6] https://mptf.undp.org/sites/default/files/documents/25000/pbf-irf-104_gpi2_final_evaluation.docx
[7] https://webapps.ifad.org/members/ec/121/docs/french/EC-2023-121-W-P-3.pdf