Strengthening data foundations for credible claims and decision-making

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Overview
Learnings
Impact

Introduction

Project details

Project lead: Global Coffee Platform (GCP)

Duration: February – August 2025

Sector focus: Agriculture

Geographical focus: Global, Africa, Asia, South America

Contact: haq@globalcoffeeplatform.org

Man picking coffee beans from a branch with sunlight on his face

Overview

Establishing strong data foundations is crucial for sustainability systems to meet increasing expectations for credible, consistent and quality data – for companies and their stakeholders to demonstrate sustainability impact, and for investors looking to verify claims.

Recognising this, Global Coffee Platform built on past work to strengthen its data management capabilities – including its capacity to structure and govern its data and promoting consistent and responsible data use across the organisation.

In partnership with Akvo, GCP assessed internal data literacy across its global staff team through surveys and interviews using the ISEAL Data Maturity Rubric, developed foundational data documents, and held training.

By fostering a strong data culture and ensuring efficient, responsible data use, the project sought to equip GCP to make informed decisions, demonstrate impact, attract investment, and ultimately support long-term prosperity for smallholders.

Learnings

Building on results from the assessment, a Data Strategy and Data Governance Framework were developed to position data as a strategic asset and formalise data management practices. Roll-out and training produced insights that can inform future work, and support other sustainability systems:

Assessing data maturity and literacy is essential for designing relevant and responsive strategies.
Investing in data strategy and governance builds the foundation for consistent, high-quality data use across countries.
Implementation roadmaps are critical for translating frameworks into action.
Leadership commitment and organisational ownership are key to sustained momentum.
Flexibility and collaboration ensure that outputs are relevant, practical, and embraced by staff.

Impact

GCP will further roll-out the data strategy and governance framework across its global and country-level operations, build internal capacity through targeted training on data governance and evidence-based decision-making, use the roadmaps to guide implementation, and monitor progress.

As these processes are institutionalised, the project is expected to benefit members, Country Platforms and partners by offering clearer guidance on how data can support decision-making, learning, accountability and credible claims.

Through continuing to share lessons, GCP aim to support peer learning, equip more sustainability systems to meet increasing data demands, and credibly demonstrate impact – driving improvement across the sector, and beyond.

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Supported by

The ISEAL Innovations Fund is supported by Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and UK International Development from the UK Government.