Strengthening financial sustainability of the Pan African University

THE BACKGROUND

FINANCE FOR IMPACT was requested to further concretize the current version of the financial sustainability roadmap by spelling out the steps to be taken regarding institutional fundraising, project-based funding and income generation activities. We reviewed different versions of the budgets and elaborated a new budget plan for PAUWES. We further developed the fundraising roadmap in terms of the identification of concrete sources of funding, priority setting, steps to be taken with major potential funders and communication measures to a point that the first implementation steps are taken.

THE PROJECT

The key objective of the study was to provide technical assistance to PAU’s financial team in order to facilitate the sustainability of their financing system in the short and medium term. The consultancy focused on processes involved in income generation and fundraising approaches and capacity of the PAU Rectorate and each of the Institutes with hands-on support for the Rectorate and PAUWES Institute. This implied the identification of discrepancies in the current budget and a donors’ mapping in relation to their financial commitments.

As part of the project, FINANCE FOR IMPACT was mandated to:

• Assess the financial sustainability strategies embedded into the current Strategic Plan (Financial Sustainability Roadmap) and provide feasible recommendations to assure the aims of funding diversification and financial sustainability through an adequate mix of funding. Describe the concrete steps needed to achieve goals indicated in the initial financial sustainability roadmap. Indicate a clear share of responsibilities and timelines;
• Provide comprehensive information about PAU’s finances. Identify sources of discrepancies in the current budget planning of PAU and provide an evidence base to identify, prioritize, guide and direct financial sustainability measures. Carry out a budgetary analysis with an assessment of limitations and recommendations as to current budget allocations and potential reallocation.
• Design financial scenari on the basis of a financial tool for financial planning;
• Provide consulting, coaching and support the Rectorate and PAUWES/or the Institutes to implement first income generating activities. Recommend proposed adaptations and customizations or other options to enhance the funding mix and improve the Institutes and Rectorate's capacities to align towards the PAU business model;
• Develop the fundraising roadmap in terms of the identification of concrete sources of funding, priority setting, steps to be taken with major potential funders and communication measures;
• Provide consulting, and hands-on coaching and support to Rectorate and identified Institute staff to build capacities on the issue of fundraising and multiple donor management;
• Report on the current income generation strategies and capacities of the PAU Rectorate and Institutes, its implications, interactions, gaps and solutions.

THE RESULTS

The team provided technical recommendations on the implementation of the financial sustainability strategic plan. These latter were aimed at strengthening accountability, reinforcing autonomy, bolstering funding opportunities, increasing performance and designing the development of fundraising and income generation strategies.