Characteristics of the Mobile Application:

1. It can be operated in English and Spanish
2. It can be operated online and offline (offline maps should be previously downloaded)
3. Compatible with only Android devices
4. Secure data storage
5. Geo-referencing

Requirements to download the Stoplight Mobile app:

1. Android version: 5.0 +
2. Installation memory: 30mb
3. Cache memory: 500mb
4. RAM memory: 4 GB + --- Recommended to use: 4-6GB

Characteristics of the Web Platform:

1. Can be operated in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Creole
2. Accommodated by Amazon Web Services
3. Has been created under an Open Source model

Browser support: Different web browsers render web pages slightly different. This means that web pages may look different and may not even work in different browsers. The purpose of this Browser Support Specification is to define what browsers are supported and the grades of support.

• Google Chrome latest
• Mozilla Firefox latest
• Edge latest
• Safari latest
• Internet Explorer NOT SUPPORTED

On average, in the case of the 50-indicator Stoplight, surveys with good results are obtained between 40 to 60 minutes. The time however, depends on the context and the person taking the survey. The results’ quality improves if necessary time is taken to take the survey, present each indicator, and clarify any doubts that can arise.The greater families’ knowledge of the Stoplight, the higher the quality of the data.

The survey is a key part of the process because it’s the first step with families to begin the process of awareness (reflection on the problem). However, the elimination of poverty requires follow-up work on the priorities that the participant has. Developing the agency mainly involves time and various activities. These are different for each person or family

There are indicators in which the participants have greater power over, meaning that they have greater possibilities to solve them themselves. However, other indicators require structural opportunities, on which families have an action limit. Although these changes can be pushed by families or communities, at the end of the day, the action comes from third parties.

The basis of the program are its indicators, which need to be relatable, relevant, and aspirational (among other things). Achieving this requires a time commitment. While quick adaptations may be possible under some circumstances, it should be expected to take 3-6 months between the start of the collaboration and the time the survey is available on the platform.

The Poverty Stoplight is a participatory tool. As such, the engagement of survey users from early on in the adaptation process is important. This means that participatory research, focus groups, and other models of engagement are important in creating and validating the definitions of indicators. This is the only way to ensure that the perspectives of those experiencing poverty are actually taken into consideration when establishing local definitions of poverty.

The implementing organization is the one with the main commitment to the adaptation process. The reason for this is that they are the ones who know the local context best. Key steps include reviewing previously used indicators, fieldwork to understand local definitions of poverty, and development of a list of indicators (with definitions / justifications, three levels, names, names of life maps and images). The Stoplight team will closely follow this process and provide feedback.

A successful adaptation involves a variety of actors, both from within and outside of the organization. Some key stakeholders that should be involved include: the organization itself (where applicable, both operational and research staff), future users of the tool (different types of families experiencing poverty); local poverty experts; local researchers or measurement specialists. This involvement should take a structured form, such as through the use of round tables, workshops, focus groups, etc.

The Stoplight team will review indicators and provide feedback before they are uploaded to the survey platform. Members of the Methodological Committee share friendly feedback on the indicators, but do not "approve" surveys. In general, it is up to the partner whether this feedback is taken into account or not. The only exception is: (see next point).

There are certain mandatory characteristics that need to be part of each survey. These characteristics are: (1) the indicators need to measure poverty and be inclusive, not offensive and consider different perspectives; (2) all indicators need to be defined at 3 levels; (3) all indicators need justification / definition; (4) all indicators need unique names and unique and aspirational life map names; (5) the Stoplight core indicators need to be included in each adaptation, although their exact definitions and levels may vary by partner; (6) all levels of the indicators need images that meet minimum ethical standards.

As of now, there are no certified indicators. The final choice of whether to use a given indicator lies with the partner organization, which is why even indicators currently in use can be less than ideal at times. We can share indicators that have been used previously, but this does not imply an approval of these indicators. Since the final choice of indicators depends on the partner organizations, and there are no “certified” indicators, it is important to remember that the indicators that are shared as the basis for adaptation are not necessarily examples of best practices.

The Poverty Stoplight can work for many types of organizations and has been adapted and used in a broad range of contexts, including :

1. For companies wishing to work with their employees;

2. Multilateral organizations such as UNICEF China;

3. Small, local NGOs that address maternal health, food security, agriculture, and mental health in countries as diverse as the U.S. and South Africa;

4. Large international organizations or companies with programs across the board.

If you are seeking a way to improve the well being of your employees, clients or beneficiaries, and/or if you are after an intuitive, participatory assessment tool, the Poverty Stoplight can be right for you.

Contact us and we can discuss opportunities for you to become a distributor, a.k.a. Hub, for the Poverty Stoplight methodology in your area; we are always open to strengthening the network. That being said, in the past, partners that have been in the best position to promote the methodology have successfully adopted it themselves first.

Below are some criteria to become a Hub:

-Organizations with a broad network and experience in the field;

-Have a department or staff member that can dedicate at least 80% of their time to leading the implementation and distribution of the Poverty Stoplight;

-Operative capacity to survey at least 500 people per year; and

-Able to pay an annual fee and participate in monthly meetings.

No organization can address all 50 indicators; that's why the Poverty Stoplight encourages an integral community approach that allows organizations to identify existing solution providers in their area. Provide direct intervention in whatever way your organization is an expert. For most organizations, this only covers 1-6 indicators at once.

You may also:

-Research information on how individuals can solve their poverty problems and share the relevant advice with the families;

-Use the community-level information gathered to develop alliances and partnerships on behalf of your beneficiaries - for example, we've seen organizations secure discounts with certain medical provisioners for its beneficiaries.

Poverty and deprivation look different in different contexts. So, adaptation of the Poverty Stoplight survey is not just allowed and encouraged but actually built into the training to become a Poverty Stoplight partner.

Partners are able to start administering surveys after signing an agreement, holding an in-person training and completing adaptation of the indicators. This can all be done in as little as two months although most partners take their time for thorough planning and to prepare their beneficiaries to take the survey.

Many of Poverty Stoplight's Special Projects use the Poverty Stoplight to monitor and evaluate their existing programs. By administering the survey every 6 - 12 months, organizational leaders are able to see the "before's" and "after's" of their target population. For example, imagine an organization that offers a year-long job-training and life-skills program. That organization can administer the Poverty Stoplight survey at the beginning of the program and at the end of the program to evaluate and communicate how effective their services are.

Poverty Stoplight partners participate in a 5-day, in-person training in their city or in Asuncion, Paraguay at Poverty Stoplight Headquarters. There, partners join the Poverty Stoplight community for the first time, collaborating with Headquarters staff and learning exclusive solutions and strategies for eliminating poverty. During this time, knowledge is transferred regarding the Poverty Stoplight methodology, technology, and know-how for running a successful program.