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News

We continuously reflect on ourselves and our projects and assignments. We like to share our insights and news through blogs and articles.

Going back to the classroom

What have you learned online that you want to take back into the real classroom? I am happy face-to-face trainings are coming back too. I recently had the opportunity to spend a whole week with real people in a real training room again. While preparing for the session, a couple of thoughts came to mind

Lisa Freiburg

International Investment opportunity – A wastewater treatment plant and compost plant in Ghana

International Investment opportunity – A wastewater treatment plant and compost plant in Ghana This initiative aimed to improve the living conditions of 300,000 people by developing a wastewater treatment plant to purify 15,000 m3 of wastewater monthly, recycle organic waste, and produce and sell organic compost to local farmers.

Inclusivity of online learning

Blog
Aug 16, 2022

Online learning bears the potential to both include and exclude people from the learning processes. Therefore, we draw your attention on what inclusivity of online learning really is? Read on...

Nadine Bergmann

A brand new look, a brand new chapter!

Change is good! We are delighted to announce the launch of our new redesigned website! It is now live and located at the same address: https://mdf.nl/

Sam Thuo

The changing funding landscape in the Eastern Africa region

The funding landscape in Eastern African region is changing rapidly. Indeed, it is the fastest growing region in recent years in Africa, according to the African Development Bank. Given the weak economic situation of the region, there has always been a strong rationale for aid and humanitarian programmes. Many grants from bilateral, and multilateral agencies as well as foundations are reaching the region. Traditionally, they focus on poverty alleviation, agriculture, and health and to some extent on social development, governance, and democracy. 

Susanne van Lieshout

Working Together Not Apart: Building community-based organisations in Palestine

news
Apr 12, 2022

Social impact is about the effect of an activity on a community and the well-being of individuals and families. Moreover, it's about turning dreams into reality, bringing hope and empowerment to communities in need, and supporting positive development. 

When do we have the legitimate right to interfere in civic space? Better be careful

blog
Mar 30, 2022

By definition, civic space is the open dialogue in society between government institutions, politicians, companies, civil society organisations, universities, and different media platforms. When these actors start limiting their freedom of voice due to cultural habits and values or societal restrictions, this space can shrink significantly.

Ger Roebeling

What are you scared of?

blog
Mar 11, 2022

In 2021, I decided to try something new by joining forces with MDF in Indonesia to create a new department on inclusive, social and sustainable enterprise development in Asia.

Rennie Roos

A Theory of Change can… Change!

news
Feb 15, 2022

In our Management for Development Projects and Programme course, our participants are immersed for 4 weeks into the world of project management. Many aspects of project management are covered, always with a focus on maximising the project’s sustainable impact. From Theory of Change and results chains, to managing effectively in an intercultural setting and keeping your team motivated. It’s all covered.

Women in Tech: Bridging the gender gap!

blog
Feb 5, 2022

These are some of the most refreshing conversations we come across in what we do at MDF. Our Trainer/Consultant, Nadine Bergmann, shares with us her story from speaking to young women from our BOOST project in Mombasa, Kenya who have overcome social norms to build their career in the Tech industry. How are they bridging the gender gap in tech? Read on!

Nadine Bergmann

How Transect Walks help to better understand environments and make wiser decisions

blog
Nov 3, 2021

A few weeks ago, I met with Chantal. She works for a youth forum in Palestine. I met her through our tailored capacity building programme for community-based organisations. She leads an international team promoting environmentally friendly behaviour in the West Bank of Palestine. During the training, Chantal shared with me some issues she has been struggling with overhauling her working style from face-to-face to online.

Jolanda Buter

Spice up Evaluations​ - Dutch Relief Alliance Innovation Fund

blog
Nov 15, 2021

​Here at MDF, we just completed an evaluation assignment in which we supported the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA), a consortium of 14 Dutch NGOs working in the humanitarian sector, along their journey to learn from the innovation fund that supported 21 projects in the past four years. The valuable insights provided by the evaluation helped DRA in the operationalisation of innovative work for its new Strategic Plan for 2022-2026. ​

Michelle de Rijck

Resource mobilisation post COVID-19: no, it's not bouncing back rather reinventing the fundraising wheel

news
Oct 8, 2021

COVID-19 protocols have disrupted the work environment set up. At MDF, we have seen an increase in the demand for online training programmes as opposed to the physical face-to-face training. This is due to remote working environment occassioned by social distancing. Indeed, every cloud has a silver lining. Regardless of the disruptions, organisations can still benefit from the new normal. Therefore, what are the new realities that organisations are facing in this new and infamous post-COVID 19 context? How will senior management and business development professionals secure funding to ensure their organisation's sustainability? Read on...

Donna Macharia

Why getting women to participate in training is not enough

news
Sep 20, 2021

When you are a development professional working on a project with a gender component, you might find yourself nodding to the title of this piece. There might also be a chance you have been working hard to increase female participation in your trainings and find the title triggering. I understand! Getting women to participate in your trainings is still quite an achievement. In the past, little attention was paid to equal participation when a project was not explicitly a women-centered project. But why is participation not enough?

Nadine Bergmann

Quantitative Methodologies for Impact Evaluation

news
Sep 8, 2021

MDF team produced a video that presents a clear way to understand how quantitative methodologies work for Impact Evaluation. Even selling lemonades, we can learn how evaluation techniques can happen. Check it out!

Turn your training into a memorable experience

news
Jul 20, 2021

Today, the reality is that in parallel with your training, you see notifications pop up, and while listening to the trainer present something, you might also be placing an online shopping order. At the end of the day, you are exhausted and little of what you have learned will stick. What can you as a trainer or facilitator do to reduce screen fatigue, offer a break from ‘regular’ screen time and encourage that the learning sticks?

Lisa Freiburg

Adjustment is not a sign of failure: taking Adaptive Programming all the way

blog
May 12, 2021

Great progress is made in the quality of programme design, reflecting a better understanding of the complexity of social change. Translating this understanding into adaptive programming practices during planning and monitoring remains a challenge, complicated by rigid control systems and the difficulty of fully trusting your partners. 

Mike Zuijderduijn

Evaluation and ethical principles

news
Jan 21, 2021

Designing, conducting, and managing high-quality evaluations requires all parties involved in the evaluation to agree on ethical standards. This ensures overall credibility, transparency, accountability, and the responsible way of using power and resources.

Dr. Mubina Tabassum

Quiz - Can you recognise leadership styles?

news
Aug 27, 2020

A leader becomes more effective if he/she is able to apply different leadership styles in different situations. Daniel Goleman distinguishes six different leadership styles. Do you recognise them all? Also the ones that don't come naturally to you?

Making it stick and stay awake!

news
Aug 11, 2020

Staying awake at online sessions can be challenging. Staring at a screen, listening to all the introductions, and a slow PowerPoint presentation. Help! Keep your participants at the edge of their seat by using the brain-based learning principles... Can you connect the principles with the corresponding method?

Lisa Freiburg

Three steps to effectively manage upwards

blog
Sep 6, 2019

When we talk about management, we often think about the person leading a team. Someone who has to delegate downwards. If you’re a manager yourself, you probably have to manage up as well– unless you’re on top of the food chain of course. So, how do you manage your manager?

Lisa Freiburg

Building team dynamics: what is the secret?

blog
Feb 23, 2017

As facilitators at MDF Asia we are often asked to do team building sessions. I have personally done many, in many different countries. From China to South Africa. Reflecting back I ask myself: is there a secret to turning a group of colleagues or staff members into a real team? Can one actually ‘build a team’ in a few days?  What makes a team a team? 

Susanne van Lieshout

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