Capacity Building in organizations: the EDIT and TAG35 projects

Capacity building is a strategic opportunity for third-sector organizations, enabling them to enhance skills, resources, and organizational capabilities while better addressing the needs of the communities they serve. We applied design thinking methodology to tackle organizational challenges, bridging strategic and operational dimensions, identifying critical points, devising innovative solutions, and delivering measurable benefits across multiple levels.

Projects such as “EDIT” and “TAG35,” promoted by Studio SHIFT and funded through Fondazione Cariplo’s “Riprogettiamo il futuro” program, provide concrete examples of how this approach can transform the operations of social cooperatives, making them more agile, efficient, and resilient. Organizational design, in this context, refers to the decisions and structures that define how an organization is configured to achieve its goals, such as role allocation, work division, hierarchies, and decision-making processes.

Here, we delve into how our interventions supported the Ruah and Alchimia cooperatives in their digital and organizational transformation journeys and the results they achieved.

EDIT Project: a leap forward in digitalization and data management

The “EDIT Ruah – Digital Empowerment for Innovation and Transition” project was part of a broader organizational strengthening and digital transition initiative launched in 2020. It highlighted the urgent need to systematize and digitize information flows across Ruah’s various areas to enhance impact monitoring.

Key challenges included fragmented data management, with departments working independently, accessing or generating data inconsistently, and lacking an open-access, shared digital archive. A process mapping project co-created with Studio SHIFT in 2022 pinpointed the absence of an accessible digital ecosystem where information could be easily retrieved, compared, and analyzed. Addressing this issue became crucial to improving efficiency and ensuring a holistic view of data.

The goal of the EDIT project was to evolve Ruah into a data-driven organization, where data informs strategic and operational decisions. The project enabled Ruah to measure operational aspects (like service productivity), financial performance, and social impact, guiding its future development through concrete, tailored metrics.

The initiative began with a deep analysis of existing processes, focusing on touchpoints and metrics already tracked. Process mapping identified pain points, driving the optimization of workflows and data digitalization to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and impact metrics.

Subsequent phases leveraged user-centered design and co-design methods to develop practical solutions tailored to workers’ needs. Co-design sessions with Ruah’s board co-created a value metrics architecture and prioritized objectives aligned with the cooperative’s long-term vision. 

The project concluded with the design of a digital platform for data collection and management, enabling Ruah to monitor performance effectively, analyze data, and optimize internal processes and decision-making. 

TAG35 project: empowering youth as change makers

Studio SHIFT guided Cooperativa Alchimia through a deep renewal process with the TAG35 project. It actively involved members — especially those under 35 — through participatory workshops and co-design sessions. The aim was to engage younger members in shaping the cooperative’s future strategy, introduce Happiness Management practices, and develop new digital management tools.

Starting with a detailed organizational needs analysis, participants co-created a new Vision and Mission tailored to the under-35 perspective and defined a three-year strategic plan using the proprietary FutureWe format. This plan emphasized social innovation, environmental sustainability, and youth participation.

Digital tools played a key role in the project. Alchimia adopted new technologies to optimize resource management, monitor career paths, implement employee evaluation forms, and collect data. Cataloging skills, planning work, and addressing personal needs improved process efficiency and transparency, supporting coordinators, managers, and administrative staff.

A parallel training program focused on developing Happiness Management skills, equipping participants with theoretical and practical tools to integrate these skills into daily routines. This effort resulted in three prototypes to support internal processes in HR, educational services, and youth policies.

TAG35 significantly impacted Alchimia’s organizational structure, operations, and culture. Productivity and employee motivation improved through increased participation and a more collaborative, agile structure. Younger members gained confidence in their abilities, recognizing their essential role in the cooperative’s success. Experienced members, in turn, acknowledged the value of intergenerational collaboration, enriching the organization with fresh energy and expertise.

A call to action

The EDIT and TAG35 projects demonstrate how capacity building, supported by innovative approaches like organizational design, co-design, and digital tools, can catalyze change in the third sector. This transformation enhances both operational efficiency and organizational culture.

If you are part of a third-sector organization seeking growth and innovation, contact us. Together, we can co-create more sustainable, effective, and people-centered processes.