Organisational Review of Strømme Foundation

This report is a regular Norad organisational review of the development partner Strømme Foundation (SF). SF is a Norwegian foundation based on Christian values, with a mission to eradicate poverty. SF has a framework agreement with Norad, which was signed in 2003. The organisation will be assessed for a renewed framework agreement after the fiscal year 2008. The total annual income in 2007 was around 126 million NOK, out of which around 36 million was funded by Norad.

The reason for carrying out a review now is to establish a platform for further dialogue before assessing a renewed framework agreement from 2009 onward. Another objective is to present constructive recommendations for SF's developmental efforts. Recently a new general secretary is heading SF, replacing the former who served the organisation for more than 14 years. This shift naturally puts the organisation in a transition position. This review process thus comes timely.

Microfinance and education are the main areas in SF. The organisation supports 177 projects (90 microfinance, 81 education and 6 others) with 144 partners in 17 countries in four regions. Kenya, Mali, Rwanda, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, East Timor and Bolivia have been the countries included in the framework agreement. The work is implemented through four regional offices: Asia (Sri Lanka), West Africa (Mali), East Africa (Uganda) and South America (Peru). Currently, SF has 106 staff, 36 of whom are located in the head office in Kristiansand.

In responding to the Terms of references, the overall conclusion from this organisation review is that SF, as an organization, has the ability to provide effective aid, but still faces some important challenges. These are particularly related to more effective programming of development efforts, a more value adding relationship between head office and regional offices, a more precise understanding of education, and a more sustainable and value adding business model for the microfinance activities. However, the results of SF's activities and interventions are both in accordance to the Norwegian policy priorities and also relevant to partners' and target groups' needs. Moreover, the assessment of SF's support activities confirms the organisation's professional, financial and administrative capacity to carry out programmes under the framework agreement with Norad.