Development cooperation
Development cooperation faces the challenge of achieving sustainable impacts under complex political, social, and economic conditions, while also providing clear evidence of these effects. International donors, foundations, and civil society organizations are increasingly required to transparently demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs and enable evidence-based learning processes. In this context, the systematic analysis of impacts, governance structures, and organizational capacities in development cooperation is gaining significant importance.
The Center for Nonprofit Organizations and Social Impact has repeatedly engaged with issues related to development cooperation, with a particular focus on impact analysis, evaluation, and impact-oriented management of programs and organizations involved in international development cooperation.
Key Research Areas
One focus is on analyzing the societal and economic impacts of development policy programs. Using Social Return on Investment (SROI) analyses and advanced impact logic models, the center examines the social value created by projects in various contexts. The focus is on programs in areas such as poverty alleviation, gender equality, education, health, water and sanitation, and income and livelihood security.
Another research area concerns the evaluation of complex development programs and partnerships. This includes examining programs of international NGOs, foundations, and multilateral actors operating in different regional contexts. Questions related to goal achievement, organizational learning processes, and the role of cooperation, networks, and capacity-building measures are analyzed.
Additionally, the center is involved in the further development of impact logics, monitoring, and evaluation systems in development cooperation. Special attention is given to how impact models can be developed participatively and how they contribute to the strategic management of organizations and programs.
Methodological Approach and Participatory Approaches
Research in the field of development cooperation is characterized by a methodologically pluralistic and stakeholder-oriented approach. Qualitative and quantitative surveys, impact models, SROI analyses, field studies, as well as formative and summative evaluations are employed.
A central feature is the involvement of relevant stakeholder groups—from program managers to local implementation partners and beneficiaries—in the development of impact models and evaluation designs. This participatory approach helps generate context-sensitive knowledge and shapes evaluations not only as accountability instruments but also as learning and development processes.
Thematic Focus and International Perspective
The center's research covers a wide range of development policy topics, including women's empowerment and gender equality, access to basic infrastructure, health and hygiene-related interventions (WASH), organizational development and innovation in development cooperation, as well as international cooperation and network structures. The research has focused on projects in East Africa and Southeast Europe.
Reference Projects