NGOs and Bond team up to show how different business models could help support locally-led development

Bond, the UK network of international development organisations, has put together a collection of case studies to help international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) consider alternatives to the traditional grant funding model to generate their own income and avoid funder restrictions whilst shifting both income and power to local communities.

As the funding environment for INGOs becomes increasingly difficult following the Covid-19 pandemic, cuts to the UK aid budget, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and loss of funding from the European Union, organisations are increasingly forced to find new income streams instead of relying on traditional, grant-led business models. The INGO sector has at the same time seen a shift in focus toward how INGOs can decolonise how they work to become anti-racist.

These case studies highlight examples of innovative and sustainable income streams bypassing the limitations that funders place on them, and at the same time, help build equitable relationships with communities in lower- and middle-income (LMIC) countries.

The case studies include Restless Development’s consultancy model, Choose Love’s income generation work through their entrepreneurial approach and Ripple Effect’s social enterprise-led development. Read them online.

Zoe Abrahamson, Sector Transformation Manager at Bond, said:  

“These case studies have been collated to help INGOs understand that business models are not just about organisational financial sustainability, they can also help support strategic objectives and values, and shift power to local communities.”  

Stephanie Draper, Chief Executive at Bond, the UK network for NGOs, said:  

“We hope that these case studies will inspire and inform INGOs to diversify their business models to shift power to local communities so they can generate their own income.”  

ENDS.