The Nile! June 2024 Edition

Greetings, Dynamic Development Practitioner,

Welcome to The Nile!, a quarterly newsletter from Development Dynamics that illuminates and shares reflections, updates, and interconnectedness of social impact issues while amplifying the work of leaders and practitioners making good happen, especially in Africa.?

Through The Nile, we co-create better futures by leveraging field lessons, working on collaborative projects with stakeholders and clients, and reflecting on insights from our expert contributors.

In this edition of the Nile, we celebrate Development Dynamics' fifth anniversary, marking half a decade of impactful work. We also spotlight the vibrant new season of #DDwithMaqC, our monthly convenings last Thursday, and recently published abstracts around sexual and reproductive health and rights and intersectional feminism. Additionally, we review some of our key projects and assignments to date. Join us as we explore these milestones and more!

We hope these updates are valuable to you.?

The Nile! Editor,

Wanda Simbe Elizabeth Wanda

Hot Off the Press: Recent Dynamic Initiatives

Development Dynamics Turns Five — Half a Decade of Impactful Work?

Development Dynamics celebrated its fifth year of operation, marking a significant milestone on April 25, 2024. We ushered in our fifth year by officially opening our new office in Nairobi at Cathy Flats on Lenana Road, Kilimani.

This milestone year highlighted the need to align our business strategy and communicate with our stakeholders. To address this, we engaged Resolve Communications for a strategic brainstorming session focused on our 2024-2025 communication strategy.?

This interactive session helped us refine and articulate our mission through our three key pillars:

• Insights Hub: Research and knowledge-sharing platform.
• Impact Accelerator: Programs to scale social impact initiatives.
• Investment Catalyst: Facilitating funding and resources for impactful projects.

Visit our website to learn more about our triple-play approach for social impact. https://dd.co.ke/

DDWithMaqC— The Return of a New Vibrant Season?

A new season of DDWithMaqC has returned with exciting guests. We interviewed Dr Lilian Otiso, Executive Director at LVCT Health, a passionate advocate and champion for the marginalised. Her focus on empowering women and girls through initiatives promoting sexual and reproductive health and tackling gender-based violence, key factors in HIV vulnerability, stands out. Dr. Otiso's leadership combines medical expertise with empathy and commitment to a world free from HIV/AIDS. Watch her full story here.

We also had the honour of hosting Michael Ngigi, CEO of ThinkPlace Africa. Arguably one of our most emotional and heartfelt stories, he shares his journey from humble beginnings to his current success with us. Michael recounts the challenging phases of his life when work and money were scarce. Despite the odds, he found inspiration and formulated a plan to transform his life. This is one to watch: here.

Last Thursdays — Connecting Social Impact Leaders and Practitioners in Africa?

Last Thursdays are the monthly convenings of social impact, development, and humanitarian sector leaders who meet to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities for innovation toward better futures.?

The March edition covered intersectional feminism, moving from the sidelines to the forefront. If you missed it, watch the full conversation here.

A big and heartfelt thank you to all the amazing guests who graced this conversation. Fatumata Binta Sall (She/They), Njeri Wa Migwi and Zawadi Mashego?

Our May edition, a collaboration between DD and Well Made Strategy, focused on "Impact in Africa." This session reflected on whether organisations' teams are optimised to change lives through their work.?

Watch the full session Here!

Priorities for Advancing AYSRHR in Africa— 7th AYSRHR Scientific Conference

RHNK holds the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Scientific Conference annually, providing a platform for stakeholders, champions, and young people to share experiences and learn from experts.?

Development Dynamics submitted two abstracts that went through the following:

1. State of Intersectional Feminist Leadership in Africa by Phelsia Achieng, Product Designer and Intersectional Feminist Researcher at DD.
2. Movement Building for Community Engagement in Advancing AYSRHR by Rasheed Mutaha, Movement Building and Strategy Associate, and Elizabeth Wanda, Communication and Digital Strategy Associate at DD.

These abstracts have been published in the 7th RHNK AYSRHR Conference Abstract Booklet.?

Impact in Africa: Uganda, Mukono Edition

In collaboration with Vijana Corps, the Uganda, Mukono Edition of Impact-in-Africa brought together several organisations from various sectors. Participants engaged in an Organization Health Checklist and a self-assessment tool that included reflection questions to help build Wholesome Organizations, Holistic Programs, and Lasting Change. This engagement was facilitated by Rasheed David Mutaha, Carolyne Mwende Elizabeth Wanda and MaqC Eric Gitau, Ph.D.

While in Uganda, we recorded two #DeepDive podcasts, one on How Young People Perceive Opportunity and Agency and the other covering Observations, Concerns, and Opportunities For Social Innovation in East Africa hosted by our own Rasheed Mutaha and Moses Mwai, respectively.

Elevating Accountability and Transparency through B Corp Standards

Development Dynamics achieved B Corp Certification five months ago, marking a significant milestone in our social and environmental responsibility commitment. On June 20, 2024, DD collaborated with B Lab Africa and IQbusiness Insights for a Sustainable Futures Forum held at iqbusiness . DD's own Moses Mwai and MaqC Eric Gitau hosted and moderated a session attended by investors, stakeholders, and business leaders in Johannesburg, South Africa. The forum explored the concept of Purpose-Driven Business, emphasising accountability and transparency through B Corp Standards.

A Sneak Peek of Our Impact Work in 2024 So Far

Revitalizing Impact—Akili Dada's Strategic Program Review and Refresh

Acknowledging the critical role of programs in marginalised communities, Akili Dada engaged DD to conduct a short-term program review and refresh, aligning with Akili Dada ’s strategic vision for 2024-2028. DD facilitated a two-day co-creative workshop aimed at Reframing, Reimagining, and resolving Akili Dada 's Programs for a greater impact on African Girls and Women. DD is honoured to be part of this significant ongoing project.

Transforming Health— Co-Creating a Strategy for Universal Coverage by 2030

At DD, we excel in delivering future-fit strategy design. Thus, we aligned with Transform Health Kenya Coalition, which commissioned DD to facilitate a two-day co-creation workshop aimed at helping them develop a new strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage in Kenya by 2030. Previously, the coalition had a strategic plan for 2022-2024. This workshop was instrumental as it aimed to evaluate the past plan, develop a new strategy for 2024-2026, and address ongoing challenges. This engagement was facilitated by Rasheed David Mutaha , Everlyne Wambui Phelsia Kojwang and MaqC Eric Gitau

Catalyzing Investment for 2gether 4 SRHR

As an investment catalyst, we see great potential in the value that resource holders bring when they appropriately channel their resources as a catalyst to impact. We also see great value in ensuring that they are well aware of the opportunity presented in partnerships as an avenue for combining efforts in resource mobilisation and streamlining collective philanthropic pursuits. Our holding on to these value principles of partnership and impact investing were the guiding principles that led us in the support we provided to the 2gether 4 SRHR Phase II led by the four UN Agencies: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 联合国儿童基金会 World Health Organization UNAIDS .

(Lisa) MaryAnne , Moses Mwai Wang'ang'a and MaqC Eric Gitau facilitated this deeply co-creative and deeply researched journey. It culminated in a comprehensive resource mobilisation and partnership strategy to move the needle significantly forward with the program.?

ILGA Staff Retreat and Leadership Meeting

Fresh off the heels of a successful strategy and governance workshop, we facilitated the ILGA World staff retreat, a crucial next step in enhancing team dynamics, which we appreciate as a means to bringing the collective effort to life. The staff retreat kicked off on the 16th and 17th of April. It brought together the leadership and staff teams under a guiding theme of Bringing Out the Best in Me, My Work, and My Colleagues, setting the stage for an introspective yet interactive staff retreat.?

We facilitated the Leadership Meeting, which was held on April 19th, marking the culmination of a two-week engagement in Cape Town with ILGA World that encompassed the Governance and Strategy Workshop and the staff retreat. During the Leadership Meeting, we introduced The ELEVATE framework as a structured approach to navigating the discussions, ensuring ample consideration for the "soft issues" identified during the staff retreat. These two sessions were facilitated by our Principal Consultant, MaqC Eric Gitau and Impact Assessment and Strategy Associate Moses Mwai Wang'ang'a .

The Road To Impact: Refining Y+Kenya Strategic Plan To Revolutionise Youth-Led HIV and SRHR Response.

As part of Phase 2 of the Y+ Kenya Strategic Plan Co-Creation Development Dynamics facilitated a 3-day workshop in Nakuru with 20 participants, member organisations, board members, and affiliates to bring together different perspectives and create a collaborative spirit. The workshop fostered a collaborative environment and indicated a great commitment to developing a Y+Kenya Strategic Plan that will stand the test of time for a greater legacy of impact. This engagement was co-facilitated by Maria Angela W Maina , Rasheed David Mutaha , Kabutu Kelvin and Phelsia Kojwang .

Developing Learning Agendas for Democratic Governance, Peace and Security?

Through the Principal Consultant MaqC Eric Gitau and Democracy, Peace and Conflic Resolution Advisor Waithira Kibinda , Development Dynamics was commissioned by the USAID Kenya and East Africa (KEA) Localisation, Inclusion, Sustainability Activity (LISA) to support the USAID Office of Democracy, Governance, Peace, and Security (DGPS) in integrating learning and evidence into its programming under the @Kenya Inclusive Governance, Accountability, Performance and Participation (K-IGAPP) initiative.?

Our main task has been to provide technical expertise and support to nine (9) local implementing partners and sub-awardees in developing their organisational learning agendas aligned with the overall DGPS learning agenda. Firstly, we conducted a needs assessment to identify capacity gaps and challenges the partners face in developing and implementing learning agendas. This assessment involved desk reviews of existing learning agendas and structured consultative meetings with partners to gain insights into their needs and priorities. Based on the needs assessment findings, we developed a tailored approach to engage each partner in developing and finalising their learning agendas. This approach included designing and executing a capacity-building workshop to empower partners with the knowledge and skills to co-create comprehensive learning agendas and individual support in developing or refining their learning agendas. This involves prioritising learning questions, developing plans with learning activities and dissemination strategies, and articulating update mechanisms to ensure the agendas remain relevant and adaptive.? At the tail end of the support, we will plan and execute a learning and sharing event, allowing partners to share their learning agendas and insights. This event will facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration and foster a continuous learning and improvement culture among the partners.

Zero Malaria Campaign Coalition (ZMCC) Steering Committee Meeting

For the past two years, under the leadership of the National Malaria Control Program -Kenya , the Zero Malaria Campaign Coalition has continued to unite partners across sectors, mainly through sustained, strategic communications and advocacy. With ZMCC having concluded their initial terms of reference, the secretariat Malaria No More UK recommended a strategic reflection moment to recollect the key wins, share the lessons learned from the combined efforts undertaken by the coalition, and thus develop the pathways and potential future to guide the strategic direction of ZMCC while ensuring this is in alignment with the National malaria goals. This then led to the 4th Steering Committee Meeting held on May 23rd, 2024 and was convened by the ZMCC Chair, Dr. Kibor Lelei of NMCP, and facilitated by Development Dynamics's MaqC and Moses, who guided the session agenda through the activities being “Setting The Context, Future Fit ZMCC, and The Minimum Viable For ZMCC”.

#LifeatDD: Laughing, Learning, Crying, & Growing Together

As our assignments and offerings have expanded, so have our team and flavour. We have been lucky enough to identify and onboard some remarkably talented individuals.

In April, Development Dynamics welcomed Maria Angela as a Policy Insights & Advocacy Associate. Beyond her bubbly personality, Maria brings extensive experience in policy research, advocacy, and communications. With an Honours Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Strathmore University , she has demonstrated a deep understanding of international development law and civil society processes, backed by significant international experience.

Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Social Impact Investing and Measurement?

Recognising that Resource Holders act as central drivers of directing resources towards programs/impact of programs, the Impact Management and Measurement Masterclass brought to us by Reana Russow of Next Generation offered a unique opportunity to explore the evolving landscape upon which the Social Impact Sector faces. MaqC and Moses had the honour to attend the three-day masterclass, which started with a deep dive into the shifting nature of our terminology, introducing terms such as Catalytic Capital & Venture Philanthropy.?

We appreciate that the futuristic view now leans more toward ensuring resources are driven through a pipeline to address societal /environmental challenges. We are moving from finance first to impact first. We aim for systemic change as our North Star, which is the trend that impact investing follows. The clarion call in that case is that we best catch up; otherwise, the impact train will leave us behind!?

What's Next in the Coming Months

• Since we are registered and headquartered in Nairobi, we have observed a clear example of the power of movement building in shifting narratives, mobilising support and effecting social and political change. Unfortunately, peaceful demonstrations turned violent and chaotic, in which innocent Kenyan lives were lost across the country. Never has there been a need more than now to talk about the power of collective action in changing the status quo, attitudes and mindsets. We will have a one-of-a-kind special edition of First Thursday on the 4th of July 2024, where start the second half of 2024, where we will unpack ‘the Art and Science of Movement Building!’ Don't be left behind. Sign up here today: https://lnkd.in/dJbWsK-g?

• On June 25th, Development Dynamics will launch the Social Impact Affiliate Program, a match-making platform for change makers and clients in Social Impact across Sectors, Demographics, and Markets in East, West, and South Africa. Stay tuned on our socials to receive the registration link.