Vodafone Foundation: Driving Impact Through Long-Term Partnership and Strategic Evaluation
“We have had the pleasure of working with OKC as our consultants on the Hi Digital project for the past four years, and prior to this our transformational partnership with ISPCC Childline. Both projects have delivered – and continue to deliver - wide-reaching social impact under the umbrella of our ESG "Connect for a Better Future" goals. Hi Digital focuses specifically on inclusive and sustainable connectivity, and aiming to bridge digital divides.” - Liz Roche, Head of Foundation and Sustainable Business at Vodafone Ireland
Vodafone Foundation has long recognised the power of community partnerships in delivering on their ESG commitments. Since 2008, OKC has worked with Vodafone Foundation in Ireland as a long-term partner in evaluating, strengthening and validating their philanthropic and social impact initiatives.
Project 1: ISPCC Childline – “Keeping Children Safe by Keeping Them Connected”
This high-impact partnership supported the ISPCC’s vital Childline service. OKC:
Measured the impact of Vodafone Foundation in Ireland’s contributions on ISPCC’s service delivery.
Analysed brand awareness and perception from both employee and customer perspectives.
Assessed the governance and reporting transparency of the partnership.
Delivered a Partnership Validation and KPI Measurement Report, capturing achievements against predefined goals and expectations.
This award winning partnership has been recognised as a model of effective corporate social engagement.
Project 2: ALONE + Irish Girl Guides – Hi Digital Programme
Hi Digital was designed to tackle the growing digital divide among older adults, with a focus on social inclusion and mental health. The platform and community impact were designed around a cohort of people who had not experienced digital over their early lifespan as it has been an evolving environment.
Phase I: Feasibility & Design
OKC led a comprehensive planning and research study, including:
Review of programmes such as Ageing Together, ICT4Elderly (EU), and TILDA.
Stakeholder engagement across Ireland:
Non-profit and advocacy leaders
Educators, trainers and community representatives
Participants in the 65+ age demographic from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and geographies
Participants in the 65+ age demographic with differing levels of digital skills
A full validation report identifying key challenges, barriers and the most effective delivery methods.
These insights shaped the Hi Digital programme's structure, content and partnership model. The Hi Digital platform and outputs served to shape the Vodafone Foundation Europe Hi Digital models as they were first to market with the concept.
Phase II: Monitoring & Evaluation (Ongoing)
In the current phase, OKC continues to support Vodafone Foundation in Ireland and partners through tailored M&E services:
Acting as an independent evaluator across the 12-month programme.
Creating surveys for each partner and cohort.
Designing bespoke M&E tools: surveys, interviews, focus groups.
Conducting regular engagement with:
Partners & New Partner Groups (Mater Foundation; Vision Ireland; SVP; Churches; Pharmacies & Library Network)
Trainers and recently trained participants
Urban and rural cohorts, both online and offline
Reporting on each Hi Digital offering and innovating around improving the model
Evaluation outputs include:
Rich qualitative and quantitative data from stakeholders
Insights into participant experience by age, gender, device, and skill level
Narrative reports on user journeys and recommendations across all partners
Guidance to replicate successful elements across sectors
Stakeholder experience with recommendations for Vodafone Foundation in Ireland around Informal & Intergenerational learnings to inform research criteria.
Research:
Contributing to independent researchers (Quality Matters) around evidencing the benefits of Informal & Intergenerational Learning through the Hi Digital programme.
New Partner Onboarding:
Working with VF to signpost and introduce new Hi Digital partners with impact within communities across Ireland.
“Member-get-member” and new partner strategy to drive further reach.
This partnership showcases how consistent evaluation and insight can elevate a corporate social initiative from well-meaning to world-class - an approach recognised with the Social Impact Award (Enterprise) at the 2024 Business & Finance ESG Awards.
“OKC has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication, ensuring that our project goals are met and exceeded. Their expertise in monitoring and evaluation has been instrumental in the success of our programme. Their role as observers and facilitators in group interactions, one-to-one sessions, and focus groups has provided invaluable insights into the effectiveness of our initiatives. OKC's engagement with partners such as Alone, as well as their assessment meetings with trainers and recently trained cohorts, has helped us refine our approach and achieve the highest possible impact for the 65+ audience we serve.
OKC's commitment to delivering quarterly impact reports, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data, has been crucial in guiding our strategy and improving our programme. Their ability to provide analyses and recommendations, and widen our partner network, has been a key factor in our ongoing success.
We highly recommend OKC for being the cohesive force between the corporate and non-profit world, enabling robust social impact. Their dedication to excellence and their ability to deliver meaningful results make them an invaluable partner in any project.” - Liz Roche, Head of Foundation and Sustainable Business at Vodafone Ireland
OKC is proud to have supported Vodafone Ireland Foundation in bringing the ‘S’ of ESG to life, and to continue working alongside them to deliver robust and authentic values-led social impact.