International Development Collective
Innovative Thinking | Strategic Partnerships | Global Impact
The International Development Collective (IDC) is a pioneering think tank and social impact incubator designed to address critical gaps in international development funding. IDC empowers non-governmental organisations (NGOs), non-profits, and small businesses to access and leverage private sector resources through capacity building, strategic partnerships, and innovative financing mechanisms. By connecting development practitioners with private sector expertise and capital, IDC aims to create sustainable development solutions while advancing thought leadership in international development, resilience, and human security.
The Challenge
Recent shifts in international development funding have created considerable gaps in financial support and technical assistance for development initiatives worldwide. NGOs and smaller organisations that previously relied on traditional funding sources now face mounting challenges in securing reliable funding streams and maintaining operational continuity. Many lack the expertise, networks, and resources necessary to effectively engage with private sector funders, whose expectations and requirements differ substantially from conventional development financing approaches.
Services
Capacity Building for NGOs
Fundraising Academy: Specialised training content & programs on private sector fundraising strategies, impact investing, corporate partnerships, and diversified revenue models.
Proposal Development: Support in crafting compelling value propositions and investment cases for private sector audiences.
Metrics & Evaluation: Tools and methodologies to demonstrate impact in ways that resonate with private sector stakeholders.
Expert Advisory Board
Executive Mentorship: Direct guidance from seasoned business leaders and international development practitioners.
Strategic Planning: Access to experts who can help organisations navigate market-based approaches to development.
Network Access: Connections to potential corporate partners, donors, impact investors, and philanthropic foundations.
Governance Support: Guidance on establishing effective organisational structures that appeal to diverse stakeholders.
Social impact & innovation incubator
Sustainable Funding models: Support in developing hybrid approaches that balance mission impact with financial sustainability.
Innovation Support: Technical assistance for testing and refining innovative approaches to development challenges.
Cross-sector Collaboration: Facilitation of partnerships that leverage complementary strengths of NGOS and businesses.
Funding Strategy: Guidance on identifying and accessing appropriate funding sources.
Thought Leadership
IDC centers innovation in thought leadership across key domains of international development:
Resilience Systems: Research and frameworks for building community, national, and regional resilience to economic, environmental, and social shocks.
Human Security: Holistic approaches to protection and empowerment that address the full spectrum of threats to human dignity and wellbeing.
Sustainable Development Finance: Innovative models for mobilizing private capital toward development goals.
Adaptive Governance: Best practices for institutional frameworks that can respond effectively to complex, evolving challenges.
Technology for Development: Ethical and effective applications of emerging technologies to accelerate development outcomes.
The IDC Advantage
For NGOs & small organisations, IDC offers pathways to financial sustainability and increased impact through:
Practical skills development in private sector engagement
Direct access to business expertise and networks
Customised support for organisational transformation
Peer learning from a community of like-minded organisations
For private sector partners, IDC provides:
Curated opportunities to contribute meaningfully to global development
Enhanced social impact credentials and visibility
Avenue for deploying expertise toward complex global challenges
Testing ground for innovations that may have commercial applications