How NGOs Can Use National Evidence to Strengthen Proposals

Nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) that work in Sierra Leone occupy a strategic position between community needs and national-level development priorities. Crafting proposals grounded in national evidence transforms NGOs from well-intentioned actors into credible partners whose plans align with government frameworks and global standards.

What counts as national evidence?

National evidence includes validated data and analyses produced in or for Sierra Leone, such as government statistics, national surveys (demographic health data), policy and strategy documents, routine monitoring systems, administrative data, evaluation reports and implementation research, whether generated by national institutions or reputable international agencies working in- country. . To build persuasive, fundable proposals, NGOs must learn to harness national data and evidence intelligently, systematically, and with integrity. The method below sets out how any NGO --- large or small --- can do this reliably.

Step 1: Map the national data ecosystem

The first practical step is knowing where to look, Sierra Leone's environment has strengthened significantly in recent years, with improved coordination and access. As of November 2025, the Power of Data Initiative (PoD) led by Ministry of planning and Economic Development in partnership with Statistics Sierra Leone (Stat SL), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sierra Leone validated a "Country Implementation Framework" to enhance data systems for sustainable development planning. . NGOs should familiarise themselves with PoD outputs and national statistical portals so they can anchor proposals in the same data pool that government planners use.

After identifying credible national data, the next critical step for NGOs is strategic alignment, ensuring that program objectives clearly support national priorities and data-driven plans. This is where good proposals become compelling ones. Projects that respond to priorities already articulated in government strategies or national health and security plans are far easier to justify. For donors and government partners, such alignment signals relevance, coherence, and a lower risk of duplication. . For example the recent validation of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) 2025--2029 reflects the state's commitment to healthsystem strengthening and emergency preparedness. NGOs proposing interventions in community health, surveillance, preparedness, or emergency response can significantly strengthen their case by explicitly referencing NAPHS priorities, objectives, and indicators. Doing so positions the project as part of a national solution not a standalone initiative.

Using data wisely to demonstrate need and justify solutions

Data is the backbone of credible grant writing. It underpins claims about need, vulnerability, and expected impact. National statistics such as surveys, routine health information, or sector assessments help establish scale and urgency. When national statistics are insufficient or outdated for your target population --- as often happens in remote or underserved areas ---complement them with primary or communitylevel data. Methods such as participatory rural appraisal, community mapping, surveys or qualitative interviews, can yield invaluable contextual insight. This combination of national-level data and local evidence --- especially if collected with transparent methodological approach --- produces a robust evidence base: large-scale data for scope, and local data for specificity. This strategy is widely recommended when data gaps exist.

Framing proposals around evidence, logic, and measurable change

Demonstrating need is necessary, but it is not sufficient. Donors expect a clear theory of change that explains how activities lead to outputs, outcomes, and longer-term impact. Evidence should be woven through this narrative, not confined to a background section. . Effective proposals clearly articulate, baseline conditions, supported by national or local data, the expected change, defined through precise and measurable indicators, realistic targets and timelines, credible methods for monitoring, verification, and learning. Where possible, use visual aids --- charts, graphs, tables --- to summarise key statistics. Evidencebased proposals that combine quantitative data (from national or survey sources) with qualitative insight (from communities) and a sound logic model, stand out in competitive funding environments.

Building organizational capacity for data use

Finally, build a culture and capacity for data use within your organisation. Internal capacity for Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), data management and reporting is often the weak link for NGOs. Investing in these systems turns data from a proposal tool into an operational asset. Training programmes for NGOs on data‑use and donor reporting already exist in-country --- for example, the MacSkills Training & Development Institute in Sierra Leone offers a "Donor Reporting and Data Use for NGOs" course designed to improve data handling, reporting quality, and the ability to turn M&E data into compelling narrative for funders. Cultivating such capacity helps ensure that evidence cited in proposals can be substantiated during implementation and reporting --- which enhances accountability, builds donor confidence, and improves long-term sustainability.

In summary: an evidence-informed approach to stronger proposals

Start by scanning national data sources and frameworks, including initiatives like PoD and updated national plans. Align proposal objectives with clearly articulated government priorities. Combine national statistics with credible local data to demonstrate both scale and specificity of need. Frame proposals around a clear, evidence-informed logic model with measurable outcomes and realistic M&E plans. Finally, institutionalize data-use capacity within your organization to support implementation, reporting, and adaptive learning. In today's funding landscape, evidence is more than proof of need; it is proof of readiness. NGOs that master alignment and data use position themselves as credible, trusted partners in Sierra Leone's development agenda.