DACOTA is an adaptable and modular ecosystem designed to support you in tackling sustainability and public good challenges around the world. Seamlessly integrating various interchangeable and interoperable components, DACOTA enables you to collect, compile, manage, and analyse different types of data in line with your specific needs. With a modular architecture, DACOTA enables the development of tailored solutions that drive meaningful impact across a range of sectors. We have built solutions for many use cases by leveraging DACOTA’s flexible ecosystem:
CLIMATE MONITORING TOOL - Climate data can be complex and difficult to interpret, particularly for non-experts. DACOTA simplifies this process by transforming climate model results into intuitive visualisations, such as graphs and maps. This makes it easier for stakeholders to identify trends and make data-driven decisions about climate action.
DIGITAL M&E SYSTEM - Managing M&E data across multiple locations can result in fragmented reporting and inconsistent processes. DACOTA streamlines data collection and tracking of indicators, enabling real-time monitoring of progress and results.
PROTECTED AREA INFORMATION SYSTEM - Comprehensive data on biodiversity, land use and human activities is required for conservation efforts. DACOTA enables national parks and other types of protected areas to manage ecological data, monitor wildlife populations, and optimise resource management.
REMOTE MANAGEMENT, MONITORING AND VERIFICATION SYSTEM IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS - Implementing projects in fragile regions is challenging due to security risks and limited access to on-the-ground data. DACOTA facilitates remote monitoring and real-time analysis, enabling effective oversight and adaptation to changing conditions.
ELECTRIFICATION MAPPING TOOL - As electrification efforts expand across off-grid areas, tracking installations and coordinating stakeholders becomes increasingly complex. DACOTA offers a centralised digital mapping solution that enables governments and partners to record, visualise and analyse electrification initiatives. This allows them to monitor progress, identify gaps and plan future interventions more effectively.
GRANT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Handling calls for proposals, contract administration, and financial tracking can be challenging and resource-intensive. DACOTA streamlines the entire process by providing a structured system for submitting applications, reviewing proposals, and monitoring project progress. It also enables transparent tracking of funds and budgets, ensuring accountability and efficient resource allocation.
BENEFICIARY ACHIEVEMENT TRACING SYSTEM - It is essential to track the progress of individuals benefiting from project interventions over time in order to measure long-term effects. DACOTA enables systematic collection and analysis of beneficiary data at various time points. This allows organisations to monitor individual progress, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and inform future programming.
HOW WE DELIVER DACOTA
We offer DACOTA as a tailored solution, combining a powerful data platform with expert services to support effective implementation and sustained use.
Our approach is designed to adapt to each client’s specific needs, from initial setup to full operational integration.
Our Services
- Needs and requirements analysis - We begin by conducting in-depth assessments to understand your specific goals, workflows, and data requirements.
- Module configuration and custom development - Existing DACOTA modules are customised to fit your operational context, ensuring relevance and usability. Where needed, we develop new functionalities to address unique challenges and expand DACOTA’s capabilities.
- User training - We provide hands-on training sessions to ensure your team can confidently and effectively use DACOTA.
- Technical support and maintenance - We offer ongoing IT support to ensure system stability, performance, and security.
- Consulting services - We assist in designing and refining the methodologies and processes used for tracking and evaluating your project’s activities, ensuring that both the system and the approach align with your goals for effective monitoring and assessment.
- Agile project management - We apply agile methods to deliver flexible, responsive, and timely implementation aligned with your evolving needs.
Long-term support options
To ensure sustainability, we offer two support models:
FULL HANDOVER OPTION
Once implementation is complete, DACOTA can be fully handed over to your IT team. There are no recurring licence fees, and we provide automated deployment packages that allow local IT administrators to independently manage the system in the long term.
MANAGED SUPPORT OPTION
We offer ongoing hosting, maintenance and technical support after implementation for organisations without dedicated IT capacity. This ensures continued reliability and access to expert assistance whenever it is needed.
System Components
DATA COLLECTION AND MANAGMENT
DACOTA supports a wide variety of data sources that can be connected via an API, entered manually, or uploaded in bulk. Its intuitive user interface allows for the entry of various data types such as text, numerical data, lists, and geographic coordinates. Users can also attach files such as images, PDFs and shapefiles to individual data entries. Data can be imported from Excel templates or external databases to ensure compatibility with existing workflows. Furthermore, DACOTA supports offline data collection through seamless integration with mobile data collection platforms such as the World Bank’s Survey Solutions and Kobo Toolbox.
DATA ANALYSIS AND REPORTING
To support informed decision-making, DACOTA provides robust tools for analysing and visualising complex data sets. Built-in, user-configurable dashboards provide real-time insights into project progress, funding status, and key performance indicators. Users can also generate reports in various formats, such as PDF and PowerPoint, using predefined templates to efficiently meet the needs of different stakeholders. It is possible to export data in Excel and JSON formats for flexible use in third-party tools.
GEOSPATIAL VISUALISATION
DACOTA includes a dynamic map view that visualises relevant geospatial data. Geo-referenced data entries are displayed on a customisable map with the following default base layers: OpenStreetMap, topographic relief and satellite imagery. Additional contextual layers, such as administrative boundaries, national parks or vegetation cover indexes, can be added to provide more detailed spatial information and support planning decisions.
Here you can watch a short explanation video.
Contact
Chiara Pizzuti
Consultant Digital Innovation Unit
E-mail: chiara.pizzuti[at]gfa-group.de
