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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People in a room at the Bond Safeguarding for Development Conference

5 takeaways from our Safeguarding for Development Conference

4 December 2019
Over 200 members came together to address progress and challenges in safeguarding, from structures of power and context to changing organisational cultures.
Child and Youth Care Workers and children in West Africa

Inclusion counts: how to collect better disability data

29 November 2019
How can we know if our work is reaching people with disabilities if we don’t have the data to support and measure?
Polling station

What the Conservatives manifesto says about international development

26 November 2019
We round up the Conservative Party's plans and pledges on aid, climate change, human rights, conflict policy and other areas of international development.
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.

What the Labour manifesto says about international development

21 November 2019
We round up the Labour Party's plans and pledges on aid, climate change, human rights, conflict policy and other areas of international development.
Voters in Dewbury go in to a polling station

What the Lib Dems manifesto says about international development

21 November 2019
We round up the Liberal Democrats' pledges on UK aid, foreign policy, human rights, climate change and other areas of international development.
Empower Tanzania project

Acting now, protecting the future: 30 years of child's rights

19 November 2019
Children’s rights are something everyone can and must agree on if we are to successfully broker a brighter future for all.
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.
Polling station

What the Conservatives manifesto says about international development

26 November 2019
We round up the Conservative Party's plans and pledges on aid, climate change, human rights, conflict policy and other areas of international development.

What the Labour manifesto says about international development

21 November 2019
We round up the Labour Party's plans and pledges on aid, climate change, human rights, conflict policy and other areas of international development.
Voters in Dewbury go in to a polling station

What the Lib Dems manifesto says about international development

21 November 2019
We round up the Liberal Democrats' pledges on UK aid, foreign policy, human rights, climate change and other areas of international development.
Empower Tanzania project

Acting now, protecting the future: 30 years of child's rights

19 November 2019
Children’s rights are something everyone can and must agree on if we are to successfully broker a brighter future for all.
Polling slip

General election: what now for your advocacy and campaigning?

1 November 2019
As UK parliament is dissolved and the civil service is put under restrictions, we break down how your advocacy will be affected and how you can campaign during the election.
Anti-Corruption sign in Namibia.

10 actions for the UK to fight corruption

30 October 2019
With a general election looming, a UK coalition of anti-corruption organisations lay out their asks for any potential government.
The Council of Europe building in Strasbourg, France

4 takeaways from the Council of Europe’s report on UK policy-making

21 October 2019
Following a fact-finding mission to the UK, here are 4 key findings from the Council of Europe's report on the NGO role in policy making.
Bond CEO Stephanie Draper with secretary of state for international development Alok Sharma

What happened at the Conservative Party Conference 2019?

3 October 2019
Highlights from the international development fringe events and speeches from the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
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.
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.
The treasury

UK government Spending Round: implications for international aid

4 September 2019
Following chancellor Sajid Javid's announcement of the UK government Spending Round, what does it mean for international development?
Donation box

Shifting our fundraising paradigm from the outside in

13 August 2019
It’s time to examine our funding paradigms and transform the way NGOs fund their missions.
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.
Oxfam charity shop on a London street

How do international NGOs compare to the UK voluntary sector?

27 June 2019
NCVO's latest UK Civil Society Almanac highlights the size, makeup and funding of international NGOs compared to the rest of the UK sector.
"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.
Money exchanged between two people in Kenya

5 ways adaptive management makes small NGOs more effective

30 May 2019
Working internationally in challenging contexts demands responsiveness and flexibility.
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.
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.
Alok Sharma

Alok Sharma named secretary of state for international development

25 July 2019
Alok Sharma has been appointed as the new secretary of state for international development as prime minister Boris Johnson names his first cabinet.
People looking at visual minutes wall

3 reflections on today’s NGO sector

19 June 2019
Bond's new CEO highlights challenges and opportunities for the sector as we enter the “decade of delivery”.
Board meeting

6 ways trustees must lead on safeguarding

1 May 2019
Guidance to help trustees and board members play their part in driving up safeguarding standards and protecting people.

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