The Learning Department oversees and coordinates data acquisition and processing for the purpose of monitoring and assessing the impact of the Foundation’s policies and developing approaches and methodologies to facilitate informed, evidence-based decision-making, in line with FCSP’s role as a Learning Organisation. It coordinates the launch of complex projects and supervises multi-sector projects with cross-cutting innovation and integration skills. It also oversees the process of preparing institutional and planning documents.
The concept of learning is one of FCSP’s four fundamental cross-cutting methodologies, and encompasses the three key principles of modern philanthropy: trust, risk and flexibility.
FCSP therefore positions itself as a learning organisation on the basis of its ability to acquire and process data, using advanced analytical tools and techniques, with a view to assessing the impact of its policies and developing approaches and methodologies for making informed, evidence-based decisions.
The Department applies the principle of “Reflective Learning”, which involves continuous learning based on critical reflection on FCSP’s actions and experiences, in terms of both management of institutional activity and internal processes.
This involves not only analysing past actions, but also reflecting on current approaches, in order to improve management practices, decision-making processes and the impact of the supported initiatives.
This is combined with the “Foresight Learning” approach, whose aims is to develop an in-depth understanding of possible future scenarios, for the purpose of anticipating changes and adapting MYPD implementation actions accordingly.
The process is based on analysing emerging trends and faint signals, while assessing needs and megatrends, with a view to facilitating informed decision-making. It integrates a long-term vision into FCSP’s decision-making process.
The department acts by synergistically integrating a diverse range of skills in terms of innovation, data, planning and evaluation, with a view to ensuring that learning initiatives yield tangible benefits.
Data and Planning
Data and Planning strives to exploit data assets, in coordination with the entire FCSP Group. It manages the acquisition and processing of data so as to build up an evidence-based stock of knowledge for the Foundation, and promotes the development of a European Data Warehouse (EDWH), which also involves the integration of context data.
It collaborates in the management and advanced monitoring of strategic and ecosystem projects.
It prepares institutional documents setting out FCSP’s strategic priorities and planning framework.
Innovation
Manages the process of building, developing and accelerating innovation ecosystems, while striving to enhance the local development “tool-kit” and provide a cross-cutting, strategic, specialist skills service to the Goals and Missions. It encourages the implementation of AI tools, both in these contexts, and in collaboration with the banking system.
It acts in a cross-cutting advisory capacity, thanks to its ability to identify and anticipate trends. It collaborates in the management and monitoring of high-impact projects, which are more likely to reveal useful data for future planning.
Evaluation
Coordinates and manages ex-post evaluations of FCSP’s main projects, to gain an understanding of the relevant processes, effects and impacts, in such a way as to support the re-design of initiatives, rectify any shortcomings and emphasise success stories. It conducts ex-ante evaluations and needs assessments to support the design of high-impact projects in particular.
It strives to promote the spread of an evaluation and data culture within the Foundation and provides analytical support for the preparation of institutional and operational documents.
