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.

Sign up to our newsletter for a weekly digest of the latest news, views, events, funding opportunities, jobs and training. You can also subscribe to our podcast on the Apple and Google Play stores.

A refugee camp in Myanmar, built with the help of UK Aid

DFID-FCO merger: 3 priorities for international development

8 July 2020
The UK government must take urgent steps to ensure that DFID’s high standards for aid spending are maintained by the new department, starting with three pressing policy priorities.

Transform or die? Existential questions and ways forward for INGOs

6 July 2020
Now is the time for boards and executive leadership teams to make the tough decisions that have been looming for the last five years.
Alexander Township in Johannesburg, South Africa, showing new low cost homes fitted with Solar Power for hot water geysers.

Time to look forward: what will shape development in the next 10 years?

2 July 2020
INGOs need to harness their experience and position to become even more effective players as we pursue better development outcomes in the face of world-changing transitions.

5 existential funding challenges for large INGOs

2 July 2020
A look at the long-term income trends of seven of the larger INGO families, and the five main challenges to INGOs’ sustainability in a post-Covid world.
UK aid for Typhoon Haiyan response arrives at Cebu airport in the Philippines

DFID rated best for aid transparency, while FCO fails government standard

24 June 2020
The 2020 Aid Transparency Index has been released, revealing DFID to be the most transparent spender of aid in the UK government, adding yet more questions about the merger with FCO.
Umbrella protests in Hong Kong

Freedoms under threat: Why we need to tackle the root causes of closing civic space

22 June 2020
Civil society and funders have crucial choices to make to ensure our future is rooted in social and environmental justice, and human rights.
UK aid tents providing shelter for people who've lost their homes to Cyclone Idai in Mozambique

Widespread criticism of the government’s plan to merge DFID with FCO

18 June 2020
Boris Johnson's announcement that DFID will merge with FCO was met with derision, dismay and anger. Here's our round up of the most prominent reactions and five observations on the decision.
Black Lives Matter protest in USA

Time to dismantle racism in international development

17 June 2020
This public moment on Black Lives Matter is our chance to interrogate and dismantle racism and anti-blackness in international development.
A refugee camp in Myanmar, built with the help of UK Aid

DFID-FCO merger: 3 priorities for international development

8 July 2020
The UK government must take urgent steps to ensure that DFID’s high standards for aid spending are maintained by the new department, starting with three pressing policy priorities.
Alexander Township in Johannesburg, South Africa, showing new low cost homes fitted with Solar Power for hot water geysers.

Time to look forward: what will shape development in the next 10 years?

2 July 2020
INGOs need to harness their experience and position to become even more effective players as we pursue better development outcomes in the face of world-changing transitions.
Umbrella protests in Hong Kong

Freedoms under threat: Why we need to tackle the root causes of closing civic space

22 June 2020
Civil society and funders have crucial choices to make to ensure our future is rooted in social and environmental justice, and human rights.
UK aid tents providing shelter for people who've lost their homes to Cyclone Idai in Mozambique

Widespread criticism of the government’s plan to merge DFID with FCO

18 June 2020
Boris Johnson's announcement that DFID will merge with FCO was met with derision, dismay and anger. Here's our round up of the most prominent reactions and five observations on the decision.
Black Lives Matter protest in USA

Time to dismantle racism in international development

17 June 2020
This public moment on Black Lives Matter is our chance to interrogate and dismantle racism and anti-blackness in international development.

DFID’s merger with FCO will hurt world’s poorest

16 June 2020
Boris Johnson announces DFID will merge with FCO, despite aid watchdogs’ evidence that scrapping DFID risks diverting UK aid away from reducing poverty.
Covid-19 testing in Madagascar

NGOs pivot programmes, while critical needs in developing countries go unfunded

9 June 2020
Our latest survey reveals a startling funding gap for INGOs fighting Covid-19 overseas, with 41% of them responding to the crisis without additional funding.
Swab collection in Humla Maila

12 ways NGOs are helping the world’s poorest during Covid-19

9 June 2020
In developing countries, Bond members and other INGOs are working tirelessly to help tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and support the most vulnerable communities. Here are some of their stories.
A man with his face covered cycles through London near parliament

How to talk about Covid-19: insights from the British public

1 June 2020
New research from the Development Engagement Lab sheds light on the British public’s receptivity to development cooperation in the context of the global Covid-19 pandemic. 
COVID-19 Frontline Health Workers in Thailand

3 ideas to communicate sensitively in the Covid-19 crisis 

22 April 2020
How can the development and humanitarian sectors get their communications right at a time when everyone’s priorities have shifted and when the British public is being bombarded by Covid-19 related news? 
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.

Transform or die? Existential questions and ways forward for INGOs

6 July 2020
Now is the time for boards and executive leadership teams to make the tough decisions that have been looming for the last five years.

5 existential funding challenges for large INGOs

2 July 2020
A look at the long-term income trends of seven of the larger INGO families, and the five main challenges to INGOs’ sustainability in a post-Covid world.
People fundraising in the UK before Covi-19

Adapting your public fundraising for the Covid-19 crisis

12 May 2020
As traditional fundraising events and activities are cancelled, here are some ideas to change how your charity raises money from the UK public.
Abigail Smith, a volunteer from Covid Relief Bangkok

5 ways to combat the Covid-19 crisis in the global south

8 April 2020
With millions in low and middle-income countries facing devastation from the coronavirus pandemic, we outline what is needed for an effective global response to combat the crisis.
Oxfam, Byres Road, Coronavirus sign

How is Covid-19 affecting NGOs’ finances and operations?

8 April 2020
With NGOs scaling back programmes and cutting back staff, our recent survey shows organisations need grant flexibility to survive beyond the next three months.
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?
COVID Relief volunteers in Bangkok

5 ways NGOs are working with local partners to respond to Covid-19

29 April 2020
International NGOs are working with local partners to reassess and adapt how they support the world's most vulnerable communities through the Covid-19 crisis.
Margaret Klonzo of Amref Health Africa

Community health workers: the first line of defence against Covid-19 in Africa

23 April 2020
As seen from the Ebola outbreak, community health workers are essential to ensuring communities stay healthy as coronavirus spreads in Africa.
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.

Transform or die? Existential questions and ways forward for INGOs

6 July 2020
Now is the time for boards and executive leadership teams to make the tough decisions that have been looming for the last five years.
An EU helicopter delivers emergency supplies in Uganda

How can INGOs prepare for future humanitarian crises?

28 May 2020
INGOs must demonstrate not only how to mitigate the crises of the present, but also how to prepare for ever more complex and uncertain types of humanitarian crises in the future.
A woman on her phone

Safely collecting data to fight Covid-19 in developing regions

27 May 2020
Having surveyed over 5,000 people in Africa on their concerns around Covid-19, GeoPoll provides tips for NGOs to gather data safely and efficiently in developing countries.
Eleven Integrity Action partner representatives came together from Afghanistan, DRC, Kenya, Nepal and Palestine at a workshop in Kathmandu in 2019

3 practical ideas to shift the power in partnerships

5 May 2020
Ideas to address the power disparities in partnerships between grant-holding INGOs in the global north and organisations in the south.
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?

Transform or die? Existential questions and ways forward for INGOs

6 July 2020
Now is the time for boards and executive leadership teams to make the tough decisions that have been looming for the last five years.

5 existential funding challenges for large INGOs

2 July 2020
A look at the long-term income trends of seven of the larger INGO families, and the five main challenges to INGOs’ sustainability in a post-Covid world.
Conference call

Leading in the Covid-19 crisis: tips for NGO leaders

14 April 2020
Practical tips and insights for CEOs to lead your organisation’s crisis response to Covid-19 in a collective, inclusive way.
Oxfam, Byres Road, Coronavirus sign

How is Covid-19 affecting NGOs’ finances and operations?

8 April 2020
With NGOs scaling back programmes and cutting back staff, our recent survey shows organisations need grant flexibility to survive beyond the next three months.

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.

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