Introduction
The very first Impact in Africa session took place in January at Movenpick, Nairobi. This collaboration between Development Dynamics and
Well Made Strategy
brought together 40 participants from 16 organisations. The dialogue offered a rich opportunity to identify areas of improvement and highlighted that the challenges faced are not isolated. As such, the session served as a reminder that collaboration can lead to viable solutions.
Inspired by this success, a second session titled Impact in Africa was hosted virtually, drawing 73 registered attendees. The session emphasized the importance of collective perspectives in ensuring balanced programs from inception to impact. Leadership and governance were highlighted as critical for building healthy organisations and fostering interconnected ecosystems to drive lasting change in Africa.
The session included a reflective segment where participants shared insights through Mentimeter, which provided valuable observations.
Reflections on Wholesome Organizations
- Alignment with Mission: Over half of the participants reported that their organisations are aligned with their social impact mission and strive to represent diverse voices in decision-making.
- Governance Principles: Most participants indicated clear governance principles and adherence to ethical standards, though collaboration, innovation, and learning could be improved.
- Capacity Building: Many participants acknowledged a need to equip staff and volunteers with enhanced skills and resources, despite a strong support system underpinned by communication and feedback.
- Funding Challenges: Most organisations reported being between struggling and managing financially, even though nearly half operate with an annual budget and demonstrate consistent financial tracking and reporting.
Reflections on Holistic Programs
- Data-Driven Approaches: More than half of the organisations reported basing their programs on needs assessments and evidence-based insights. Sixty-five percent actively involve stakeholders and communities in program design.
- Theory of Change: Over half consistently apply a Theory of Change, linking activities to milestones and outcomes.
- Impact Evidence: While 55% can present quantitative data on program impact, only 42% collect qualitative feedback from stakeholders and communities.
- Program Adaptability: Encouragingly, 74% adapt programs based on implementation insights and communicate these learnings.
Insights: Reflections on Lasting Change
- Social Impact vs. Funding Dependence: A split emerged between organisations addressing social issues as their foundation and those being funding-dependent.
- Advocacy Effectiveness: Only 33% expressed confidence in their advocacy work, though 61% participate in collaborative working groups.
- Inclusivity and Equity: While 72% reported inclusivity in their work, only 35% actively ensure equity and justice for stakeholders. Forty-seven percent have policies to address power imbalances and discrimination.
- Organisational Longevity: Fifty-nine percent of respondents acknowledged that their organisations could sustain operations for less than a year without donor funding, yet many expressed confidence in scaling their work nationally or globally.
World Café Discussions: Key Themes
Wholesome Organizations
- Leadership and Governance: Decision-making in organisations is deeply rooted in value systems. Social and community impact should drive direction, with passion and a strong value system as foundational elements.
- Community Focus: Programs must meet community needs, reflecting a commitment to social impact.
Holistic Programs
- Power Dynamics: Designing holistic programs requires asking the right questions, implementing appropriate activities, and ensuring resources are in place to track progress.
- Theory of Change: Developing and applying a Theory of Change enables sequential steps toward desired outcomes, aligning value systems with decisions for lasting change.
Lasting Change
- Experience Over Expertise: Engaging individuals with strong leadership experience is crucial.
- Funding Models: Financial constraints often hinder progress, underscoring the need for innovative funding approaches and collaborative mindsets.
- Breaking Silos: Over-fragmentation in the ecosystem limits impact. Collaborative efforts and redefined funding models are essential to achieving sustainable change.
Conclusion
The Impact in Africa sessions illuminated key insights into fostering wholesome organisations, designing holistic programs, and achieving lasting change. These discussions highlighted the importance of value-driven leadership, community-centered approaches, and collaborative mindsets in addressing shared challenges and propelling Africa’s growth.
