The Alpha+ Label: A Lever to Improve the Quality of Services Offered by Associative Operators
Objectives of the labelling:
In its national literacy strategy 2023-2035, the National Agency for the Fight against Illiteracy (ANLCA) intends to make the labelling of associative operators a lever for implementing Strategic Choice (6) entitled “Improving the quality of intervention by civil society operators in the field of literacy.”
It is also a way to adopt Recommendation 20 (lever 5) of the “Strategic Vision 2015-2030,” which recommends “the evaluation of partnerships with literacy associations,” as well as the requirements of Framework Law 51.17, particularly in its Article 23, which commits the government to work in partnership with public and private actors to ensure the sustainability of learning and the eradication of illiteracy.
The establishment of a labelling system enables (i) capitalizing on the expertise of associations in the effective and large-scale implementation of ANLCA’s literacy programs; (ii) assisting associative operators in mobilizing additional resources and funds; and (iii) allowing labelled associative operators to benefit from greater legitimacy and credibility in the field of human development at the national level.
Furthermore, the 2023-2027 literacy roadmap proposes to implement Strategic Choice (6) of the 2023-2035 national literacy strategy through Project 20: “Establishment of a labelling system for associative operators.” This project aims to strengthen the quality of public partnerships with associative operators involved in implementing literacy programs.
Purposes of the labelling system:
The labelling system is designed to allow continuous improvement of partnerships between ANLCA and associative operator in terms of governance, more effective management of allocated resources, and promotion of the quality of literacy programs.
In this regard, the Alpha+ label serves as a mark of recognition for the quality of an association’s activities as an operator of ANLCA’s missions.
Modalities of the alpha+ label:
The agency envisions obtaining its Alpha+ label as a process involving the participation of associations in the call for projects phase and the establishment of a classification system for partner associative operators.
The criteria for the call for projects, classification, and labelling are contractual forms that enable ANLCA to ensure better monitoring, control of compliance with set requirements, and evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of literacy and post-literacy programs.
Analysis of the pilot experience:
A pilot experiment was conducted to test and evaluate the implementation of the Alpha+ label for ANLCA’s partner associations in the Souss Massa region, with a view to improving and generalizing it nationwide. This experiment made it possible to:
- Implement and test the technical and methodological tools for labelling (procedures guide, specifications, evaluation grid, SIMPA platform, etc.).
- Identify and classify partner associations according to objective criteria of governance, financial management transparency, and quality of literacy program management, through a structured evaluation process.
- Support eligible associations in understanding the labelling mechanism through training, awareness, and technical assistance activities.
- Analyze the real capacities of associations to meet the label’s requirements by studying their application files.
- Draw necessary lessons to improve the mechanism by identifying encountered obstacles, difficult criteria to meet, and adjustments needed for optimal system implementation.
The National Agency for the Fight against Illiteracy, with the support of the European Union under the PIAFE technical assistance framework, is currently analyzing and evaluating the pilot experience of the associative operators’ labelling process in the Souss Massa region. This analysis is based on a methodological approach combining in-depth documentary analysis enriched by various scientific and institutional sources, as well as a field survey involving key stakeholders (ANLCA’s team and associations). Semi-structured interviews conducted with regional and provincial ANLCA officials, complemented by a focus group with a representative sample of participating associations, enabled the collection of qualitative data on the implementation, challenges, and perceived effects of the process.
Based on the in-depth analysis of the pilot phase, it is possible to identify key lessons that allow the formulation of strategic recommendations and improvement scenarios aimed at creating favorable conditions for the successful national generalization of the label while ensuring its relevance, fairness, and sustainability.
