Working Table 1
Data Collection & Digital Transformation
Facilitator
Fabio Fraticelli
COO, TechSoup Italy
The Working Table on “Data Collection & Digital Transformation” started from the experience of FEBA on the project of the online Observatory of Food Donation started in 2020. This is the only digital touchpoint where most of the information about FEBA members in Europe are condensed.
In this context the Working Table’s discussion started with a question: what is the future of data collection and digital transformation for FEBA members and the development of digital tools in the Food Banks’ context?
What are the main challenges in collecting and using data within FEBA members?
- Resistance to change
- New way of looking at data and digital transformation and have a new mindset
- Understand which type of data we do need
- Capability to involve charities in the data collection process
Some challenges are more technical, while others more related to competences and culture, some others related to multi-stakeholder perspective that must be involved in the process.
At the same time, FEBA members have a clear idea on how data can be used in the future to foster their activities:
- Data that can engage more donors and stakeholders
- Data as fundamental information to make good decisions
Participants also worked together to identify hypothetical investments needed to boost the data collection process and digitalization of FEBA members related to technology: software to collect, shape and share data in order to publicly share meaningful information. Participants also underlined the importance of creating a community of IT experts within the FEBA network who can work together to let each national organization to improve their own digital transformation pathways.
In this journey FEBA is considered a pivotal actor with a unique understanding of the importance of the first step made by FEBA and the Pilot Group of 8 members in 2020.
The main goals for the future are to focus, have energy and the desire to work together to build a better infrastructure that can let FEBA and its members collect, share and take out meaningful information throughout data.
