News and views

The latest news, blogs and opinions from across the international development and humanitarian sectors.

Bond experts, members and thought leaders from civil society provide the latest insights and trends across a range of topics, including: aid, funding, politics, Brexit, the SDGs, communications, public support, project management, leadership and civic space.

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Piggybank

4 ways funders are supporting NGOs and responding to coronavirus

1 April 2020
Many donors are adapting their practices and funding agreements to enable organisations to respond to challenges arising from the Covid-19 crisis.
Women carrying water back from Jamam to the refugee camp

Why internationalist values are more important now than ever

30 March 2020
As Covid-19 forces countries to make decisions that could affect societies for decades, the UK has the chance to demonstrate global leadership that delivers for the world's most vulnerable.
Shelter provided by UK aid for people displaced by Daesh in Iraq

4 issues that need to be addressed in the UK's aid effectiveness review

24 March 2020
With the IDC announcing an enquiry into aid effectiveness, we examine the issues we'd like to see addressed and what the review should focus on.

How is recruitment in the sector changing in 2020?

16 March 2020
A look at how the roles, candidates and searches for jobs in the international development and humanitarian sector are changing in 2020.
Helping rural women farmers in Nepal's Terai

OECD releases final overseas aid figures for 2018

28 February 2020
A look at the final DAC figures for 2018. With overall spend going down compared to 2017, where has aid money been spent and who has benefited the most?
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds his first Cabinet meeting since his reshuffle in the Cabinet Room

Reshuffles, reviews and restructures: what does the new government mean for development?

27 February 2020
DFID survived Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle, but could government restructures and the upcoming integrated review divert UK aid away from reducing poverty?
Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Anne-Marie Trevelyan named secretary of state for international development

13 February 2020
Conservative MP for Berwick Upon Tweed, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, has been appointed as secretary of state for international development, replacing Alok Sharma.
Children in Sindh, Pakistan, play at a water pump in a village.

5 considerations for diversifying your funding

12 February 2020
In an increasingly competitive funding environment, it's crucial that INGOs diversify their funding models to remain sustainable. Here are five tips on how to do so.
Women carrying water back from Jamam to the refugee camp

Why internationalist values are more important now than ever

30 March 2020
As Covid-19 forces countries to make decisions that could affect societies for decades, the UK has the chance to demonstrate global leadership that delivers for the world's most vulnerable.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds his first Cabinet meeting since his reshuffle in the Cabinet Room

Reshuffles, reviews and restructures: what does the new government mean for development?

27 February 2020
DFID survived Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle, but could government restructures and the upcoming integrated review divert UK aid away from reducing poverty?
Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Anne-Marie Trevelyan named secretary of state for international development

13 February 2020
Conservative MP for Berwick Upon Tweed, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, has been appointed as secretary of state for international development, replacing Alok Sharma.
British and Sierra Leonean medics work together at Connaught Hospital, Freetown

What kind of global Britain do we want?

10 February 2020
As the UK exits the European Union, we have the chance to redefine what role we play on the world stage. But the right steps need to be taken to ensure "Global Britain" is a success.

DFID must be at the heart of global Britain

30 January 2020
The government won't realise its vision of a global Britain if DFID is scrapped or merged with the FCO.
Leaders, country representative and key speakers at the UK-Africa Investment Summit

UK-Africa Investment Summit: risks and opportunities for development

24 January 2020
Bringing together leaders of 20 African countries and UK government, the UK-Africa Investment Summit could be a game-changer for the world's poorest, but the devil is in the detail.
Snow leopards in the wild

World leaders must act on the nature and climate emergency in 2020

22 January 2020
2020 is a time for important actions that will impact generations to come. Here are five global opportunities to protect nature, climate and people.
Downing street

General election – what happened and what it means for development

18 December 2019
We look at the winners and losers from the general election following the Conservative party victory, and what this wholesale change could mean for international development.
Delegates voting at the AGM

Bond members adopt ethical content principle and elect new trustee

19 November 2019
Laura Jump was confirmed as a trustee to the board, and new guidelines on the ethical collection of images and stories were added to Bond's charter at Bond AGM.
Runners on the street in the London marathon

5 communications tips for small NGOs to attract supporters

12 September 2019
With over 160,000 registered UK charities, here are communications tips to get your small NGO noticed and reach the right supporters.
People at a conference

How to make the most of party conference season

29 August 2019
Party conference season is back - here are some tips to get you through it and make the most of the advocacy opportunities.
Woman standing in front of a mountain with headphones in

Should your NGO make a podcast?

29 August 2019
With podcasts increasing in popularity with audiences across the UK, here are some things to consider before starting your own series.
This is amazing, I love it." Portrait of Veronique Eulalie Rasoarimanana outside her home in Madagascar.

Informed consent: why conversations are crucial

29 July 2019
It is not enough to ask if you can take someone's photo. A look at the importance of having conversations with the people you're working with before sharing their story.
Views of cities lit up at night from space

Why privacy and data protection are key to inclusive development

24 May 2019
Exploring the ethical questions surrounding how we use data to provide effective humanitarian assistance.
British newspapers

How much does the UK public trust the media?

22 May 2019
Understanding how people use and view different media outlets can help NGOs tell their stories more effectively.
Megaphone

9 lessons learned campaigning for aid

8 May 2019
Nine recommendations for better advocacy, based on the experience of a campaign coordinating efforts to make the case for aid.
Piggybank

4 ways funders are supporting NGOs and responding to coronavirus

1 April 2020
Many donors are adapting their practices and funding agreements to enable organisations to respond to challenges arising from the Covid-19 crisis.
Children in Sindh, Pakistan, play at a water pump in a village.

5 considerations for diversifying your funding

12 February 2020
In an increasingly competitive funding environment, it's crucial that INGOs diversify their funding models to remain sustainable. Here are five tips on how to do so.
Nana Afadzinu holding a workshop on #ShiftThePower

Going beyond Western models of value to shift the power

16 January 2020
NGOs in the global south often have to jump through hoops for foreign donors. They are bereft of power in many ways. How can we shift the power to make it more balanced?
Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia

4 priorities for the Africa Investment Summit

9 January 2020
It is not about whether Africa needs investment. It is about what kind of investment, where, for who and how.
Last will and testament

Tap into funding from legacies and gifts in wills

23 October 2019
An estimated £3 billion was left in wills to charities last year. How can your NGO show people you're worth leaving money to?
Zoe Abrahamson, Juliet Chua and Graham Mackay open our Funding for Development Conference

5 takeaways from our Funding for Development Conference 2019

10 October 2019
Highlights and takeaways from our third annual Funding for Development Conference.
EU and UK flags

No-deal Brexit: what should you do?

17 September 2019
With no-deal brexit still a very real possibility, what can UK NGOs do to ensure they get access to DFID's assurance policy?

Tapping into local knowledge to diversify income

12 September 2019
ChildHope UK drew on the expertise of local partners to build a consultancy to deliver their mission and financial value.
Nana Afadzinu holding a workshop on #ShiftThePower

Going beyond Western models of value to shift the power

16 January 2020
NGOs in the global south often have to jump through hoops for foreign donors. They are bereft of power in many ways. How can we shift the power to make it more balanced?
"Ava" and her newborn baby at the IDP Camp, Bunia General Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo 

Why we need to keep talking about inequality

15 October 2019
If we want to eradicate global poverty, we need to tackle the political and structural factors that are driving inequality.

Tapping into local knowledge to diversify income

12 September 2019
ChildHope UK drew on the expertise of local partners to build a consultancy to deliver their mission and financial value.
Children from World Vision peace club in Kenya

Listen to children and young people in policy making

12 August 2019
Children and young people have the right to participate in policy decisions that effect them. How can we facilitate this?
Satellite image

6 ways artificial intelligence is being used in international development 

8 August 2019
A look at some promising ideas and projects showing how artificial intelligence can potentially help with international development.
Pound coins stacked up

Cost transparency for DFID grants: improvements and obstacles 

3 July 2019
DFID's new cost templates and guidance will allow NGOs to recover more grant costs, but barriers to full cost recovery still remain.
Child collects water from pump in Sierra Leone

Without access to WASH, the UK jeopardises the SDGs

25 June 2019
Governments must act with renewed vigour on targeted interventions on water, sanitation and hygiene to achieve Agenda 2030.
Men standing around a landed drone

5 frontier technology trends shaping international development

4 June 2019
115 DFID staff across 37 countries identified what emerging forms of technology they think will most change development.
ICRC providing clean drinking water at a refugee camp in Liberia

How do we harness uncertainty for positive change?

15 October 2019
We’re talking to Bond members and sector leaders to identify what the future should look like for the UK international development sector.
How do we plan for an uncertain future?

How can we plan for future shocks to the sector? 

9 October 2019
We talk to Duncan Green of Oxfam GB about planning for the future when there is so much uncertainty
Satellite image

6 ways artificial intelligence is being used in international development 

8 August 2019
A look at some promising ideas and projects showing how artificial intelligence can potentially help with international development.
City skyline at night

Data for good, data for bad

12 June 2019
Olivier Usher from Nesta explores the transformational implications of data-driven tech in international development, and asks the important questions: what it’s for and who benefits?
Men standing around a landed drone

5 frontier technology trends shaping international development

4 June 2019
115 DFID staff across 37 countries identified what emerging forms of technology they think will most change development.
Islamic coins

Islamic social finance: the future of humanitarian partnership?

28 February 2019
Islamic social finance has huge potential as a financial tool for the humanitarian funding gap, and now rivals conventional banking.
Tanzanian woman and child with computer learning about digital

Embracing digital principles for inclusive development

12 February 2019
More and more organisations are endorsing the Principles for Digital Development, which help guide the effective use of technology.
Silhouette of road sign

How do you know when your NGO needs to change?

7 February 2019
NGO leaders need to make brave decisions in order to adapt and evolve for the future.

How is recruitment in the sector changing in 2020?

16 March 2020
A look at how the roles, candidates and searches for jobs in the international development and humanitarian sector are changing in 2020.
"Hope" a CSO special plenary session hosted by UN Women

What is stopping women from becoming NGO leaders?

4 February 2020
70% of INGO staff are women, but only 30% of those women reach the top of their organisations. We look at the social and systemic barriers preventing women and women of colour from progressing in their careers.
Bond Conference 2019

12 achievements we’re proud of from 2019

18 December 2019
A look back at some of our achievements and accomplishments in 2019 across the international development and humanitarian sectors.
Locals working at food store in Apac District of Northern Uganda

New approaches to protect civil society globally

22 November 2019
With civil society under threat across the world, 150 leaders came together at the Global Perspectives conference to explore new ways to help civil society organisations thrive.
Delegates voting at the AGM

Bond members adopt ethical content principle and elect new trustee

19 November 2019
Laura Jump was confirmed as a trustee to the board, and new guidelines on the ethical collection of images and stories were added to Bond's charter at Bond AGM.
Simon Starling

Simon Starling is Bond’s new director of policy, advocacy and research

13 November 2019
Simon brings over 20 years of international development experience to his new role.
ICRC providing clean drinking water at a refugee camp in Liberia

How do we harness uncertainty for positive change?

15 October 2019
We’re talking to Bond members and sector leaders to identify what the future should look like for the UK international development sector.
UN Women Hosts Brown-Bag Lunch with #BringBackOurGirls Campaign Coordinators

What must world leaders do to achieve gender equality by 2030?

4 September 2019
With the UN General Assembly round the corner, a look at the gender equality SDG and how it can be achieved.

Members' tweets

@TheHALOTrust
2 years ago

Mine clearance is transformative. That's why we're campaigning for a #LandmineFree2025 https://t.co/Nw4hK5XhR7

@IAPB1
2 years ago

The IAPB Standard List @IAPB_SL is working on updating an Essential List for #DiabeticRetinopathy. Until then, here… https://t.co/vmmHJUVyAH

@WorldHabitat
2 years ago

‘On the table’ conversation = likely to draw previously silent citizens into a discussion of problems and potential… https://t.co/Vo2DeqgLm6