Assessing the Sustainability of the Multifunctional Platform in Rural Senegal
This study recommends a three-tiered Sustainable Scale-Up Strategy for the multifunctional (MFP) platform in Senegal that aims to build on the successful model developed by the UNDP. The objective of the strategy is to improve the longevity and scalability of the MFP program as a whole in Senegal by (1) increasing the profitability of the existing MFPs through optimization of the direct services/activities added, (2) establishing a more sustainable capital structure (i.e. subsidy reduction) and (3) conducting micro-studies on the village level including an application of an Enterprise-Customer framework to each village to assess strengths and areas for improvement on a village-level based around financial profitability.
The final report report seeks to provide the UNDP with a concrete strategy encompassing a decision tool and several key recommendations to augment the competitiveness, profitability, and hence long-term sustainability of the MFP-based enterprises. Specifically, the study recommends a three-tiered strategy that aims to rehabilitate and optimize existing MFPs as well as to improve the scalability of the program. The decision tool presented in this report provides village-specific financial scenarios to guide the women‟s investment decisions in no-cost, low-cost, operating and capital cost additions. These include various capacity trainings, market access options as well as additional functions to attach to the MFP. Ultimately, the proposed strategy aims to lower the external financial support required per MFP, which will in effect free up resources for the UNDP to bring energy access to more villages.
The goal of this rigorous assessment of the sustainability of the current MFP is to devise a sustainable long term MFP investment strategy, focusing on MFP scale-up to increase throughput and market access. Financially scaling-up the MFP program will support UNDP‟s goals of community ownership, women empowerment, and sustainable solutions to poverty alleviation.