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CWE-CWR-09 Compassion, Welfare & Environment Community Welfare & Relief CORE Excellence v2.9.7

Needs-assessment with stakeholders

Assesses whether the organization conducts systematic, mixed-method needs and assets assessments with community stakeholders (including marginalised groups) to ensure its welfare and health services are relevant, safe, accessible, effective, and co-designed where appropriate. This collaborative approach embodies the Islamic principle of shura (mutual consultation), ensuring interventions address the community's true maslahah (public interest). Engaging vulnerable populations helps fulfill the Maqasid al-Shariah (objectives of Islamic law) aimed at hifz al-nafs (preservation of life) and upholding human dignity.

KPI / Measure
MetricNeeds assessment quality and uptake
TargetInclude numeric targets
FrequencyQuarterly review; annual board report
Method1) Coverage rate: % of priority segments engaged vs stakeholder map target (Target ≥ 80%). 2) Equity-of-voice index: % of sessions/tools designed for underrepresented groups. 3) Action conversion rate: % of recommendations implemented or resourced within 12 months (Target ≥ 70%). 4) Time-to-action: Median days from report sign-off to decision/action (Target ≤ 90 days). 5) Transparency timeliness: Days from fieldwork end to public summary (Target ≤ 60 days). Note: For small cohorts, use directional targets and avoid intrusive data collection.
UnitPercentage/days
Maturity Levels
Level 1: Initial/Ad-hoc

Needs assessments are informal and reactive, typically based on anecdotal feedback or complaints rather than a structured process.

Level 2: Developing

The organization conducts planned but basic needs assessments (e.g., simple surveys) for major projects or services. The process is not yet standardized across the organization.

Level 3: Established

A systematic and regular process for conducting needs assessments with key stakeholder groups is established and documented. Findings are formally reported to management.

Level 4: Advanced

Needs assessment is fully integrated into the strategic planning and service design cycle. The organization uses diverse methods to engage a wide range of stakeholders, and results demonstrably influence service improvements and resource allocation.

Level 5: Optimizing

The organization proactively anticipates future community needs through ongoing dialogue and co-design partnerships with stakeholders. It is recognized as a leader in community-centric service design and shares its best practices.

Applicability

Organisation Types

charity-relief humanitarian-aid zakat-sadaqah-body community-center healthcare-service counselling-mental-health elderly-care

By Organisation Size

SizeApplicabilityNotes
Micro exempt Formal mixed-method assessments with ToRs and sampling plans are highly disproportionate for volunteer-run groups; informal local knowledge suffices.
Small partial Scaled down to basic, informal community consultation; formal mixed methods, ToRs, and costed reports are too resource-intensive.
Medium partial Regular needs assessments are expected, but methodologies can be simpler (e.g., basic surveys) without requiring extensive formal sampling plans or DPIAs.
Large full
Major full

Applicable When

  • The organization provides direct services or resources to community members.
  • The organization aims to improve the well-being of a specific community or population group.

Not Applicable When

  • The organization focuses solely on religious or educational activities without direct welfare or health components.
  • The organization's activities are primarily focused on advocacy or representation without providing direct services.

Discussion (1)

Administrator 2026-03-07 11:08:00.608816

📋 **Version updated: 1.0.0 → 2.9.7** **Changes:** Updated islamic_references from mizan-297.json

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