Efficiency

Omed defines efficiency as a measure of the relation between the outputs – qualitatively and quantitatively – and the resources used for it. As we understand it, this also requires a comparison of the results achieved vs conceivable alternatives. Omed asks the following questions for each project and each issue:

Were the activities carried out cost-effectively?

Were the goals achieved in the planned period?

Was the project or program implemented in the most efficient way compared to alternatives? 

To this end, we have defined the following evaluation criteria for our development projects:

How high were the costs (e.g. by instruments, sectors, measures)?

To what extent were the costs and benefits of the measure in reasonable relation to each other from a business and economic point of view?

With regard to the use of instruments and the conception of the measure, would there have been more favorable alternative solutions for achieving the goals in the long term?

Are the services, capacities and potential used appropriately?

Were the services provided on time and were effects achieved within a reasonable period of time?

Omed is constantly striving to minimize costs for all items of expenditure (was the activity really necessary?) and we are constantly investigating opportunities for savings.

In the case of personnel costs occurring in our projects (only local staff – Omed members work on a voluntary basis ), the following must be asked in particular:

Were all funded employees (e.g. the teachers or supervisors) necessary for the project?

Was it possible to save by using freelance staff instead of using your own staff? Did the salaries or fees paid correspond to the local rates for personnel with the essential qualifications?

Have the employees responsible for the training, the need to receive necessary further training?Were unused devices purchased (possibly projectors, laptops)?Can the costs of external conditions (accommodation, food) be reduced without suffering any loss of effectiveness?

Does Omed have to bear all the costs, or are other sources possible to tap into to contribute to the costs?

Our donors’ money must be managed according to the above criteria. Omed is thus well prepared to implement small, medium-sized and larger projects in the countries we serve. Omed’s Treasurer is a member of the Board of Directors.