Donel Consulting remains committed to supporting Communities in the critical endeavor of achieving sustainable development, leveraging our expertise and on-the-ground experience to deliver tangible results.
Locally-driven development (LDD) faces major obstacles, including insufficient capacities and resources within communities.
Restricted access to education, technologies and financing hinders the effective participation of local actors in decision-making processes and the implementation of development initiatives. Without substantial support, communities struggle to fully take ownership of their development and be the real drivers of it.
The challenge is to create an environment conducive to the emergence of community leaders and organizations capable of designing and managing development projects adapted to local realities.
Intergenerational programs: Fostering connections between different age groups
Evaluating the impact of these programs is another major challenge.
Traditional development indicators often struggle to capture the nuances of qualitative changes in intergenerational relationships and social capital. Innovative methodologies, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, are needed to adequately measure the long-term effects of these initiatives on social cohesion and community well-being.
Complexity of MHPSS interventions in crisis contexts
The effectiveness of MHPSS programs is based on a detailed understanding of the psychosocial dynamics specific to different types of crises. Contrary to a uniform vision, the psychological responses of populations differ significantly between natural disasters and armed conflicts.
In the case of conflicts, the socio-political dimension and the intentionality of the violence generate particularly complex traumas, exacerbated by the rupture of the social fabric and the loss of cultural references. Interventions must therefore adapt to these distinct realities, by integrating an in-depth analysis of contextual factors and local adaptation mechanisms.
Weak institutional frameworks, and economic disparities have created fertile ground for corrupt practices to flourish.
The new approach centers on fostering a culture of integrity through education and community engagement. Implementing comprehensive ethics curricula in schools, starting from primary education through university levels, lays the foundation for a generation that values transparency and accountability. These programs should incorporate local case studies and traditional values that align with anti-corruption principles, creating a culturally resonant message.
Trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent
A Market for Infrastructure Development to deal the infrastructure deficit
Local capital market development is critical for mobilizing domestic resources for infrastructure. Pension funds and insurance companies represent growing pools of long-term capital well-suited for infrastructure investments. Developing appropriate financial instruments and regulatory frameworks can unlock this potential.
The Unseen Consequences of Overfishing
Overfishing disrupts marine ecosystems by removing top predators, destroying habitats, and killing bycatch. These impacts reduce biodiversity and resilience, with marine species populations decreasing 39% since 1970.
Socioeconomic Consequences for Coastal Communities
A billion people rely on fish for protein and millions depend on fishing for their livelihood. Overfishing threatens their food security and economic well-being, especially artisanal fishers and developing countries. Decreased catches and lost jobs can drive poverty and social unrest.
Empowering women in the business sector is not just a matter of social justice;
it’s a strategic imperative for economic growth and innovation.
Promotion of traditional pharmacopoeia
Training and skills development
Favorable regulatory and incentive framework
Regional market access strategy
Promotion of research and development
Fight against counterfeiting and illicit market
Strengthening supply chain and pharmaceutical management system.
Refugee education is a pressing challenge with significant consequences.
Integrating psychosocial support and trauma healing into the educational curriculum.
Host countries, often grappling with resource constraints and overstretched infrastructure, struggle to accommodate the influx of refugee students.
Revolutionizing educational paradigms through seamless incorporation of psychosocial reinforcement and trauma recovery methodologies within academic frameworks represents a pivotal shift in pedagogical approaches. Such integration forms an integral component of a multifaceted, stratified support mechanism encompassing broad-spectrum preventative strategies, pinpointed interventions for vulnerable learners, and well-defined conduits to specialized assistance for individuals necessitating more intensive care.
School-wide trauma-informed policies and procedures form the bedrock of a holistic educational approach, meticulously crafted to nurture an atmosphere where healing and learning intertwine seamlessly for every student, with particular emphasis on those grappling with the lingering effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Such a framework permeates the very fabric of educational institutions, infusing every facet of school operations with a deep-seated commitment to fostering resilience and promoting academic success.
Trauma-Informed Education: Healing the Invisible Scars
The toxic stress of trauma can have a devastating impact on refugee children’s mental health, impairing their ability to learn, grow, and thrive in the classroom. To counter this, we must weave trauma-informed practices and social-emotional learning into the very fabric of refugee education. By creating nurturing school environments that promote resilience, emotional coping skills, and a sense of safety and belonging, we can help refugee students heal from the invisible scars of trauma and lay the foundation for academic success.
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AMR Isn’t Just Human
Can You Trust What’s in Your Bottle?
The Black Market for Fake Supplements in Africa
We all crave that extra boost for health and energy, and in Africa, natural remedies and supplements are a popular choice. But what if what you’re buying isn’t what you think it is? Dive into the dark side of the supplement industry and learn how to protect yourself from the dangers of fake products.
Improving School Attendance Rates in Remote Villages : A Participatory Action Research Project
Education forms the foundation for personal advancement and social development. Despite its importance, numerous children residing in rural areas, particularly girls, struggle to obtain quality schooling. Poor attendance continues to impede learning progress and restrict future prospects for these young individuals. Rural communities often grapple with inadequate educational infrastructure, shortage of qualified teachers, and socio-economic barriers that keep children out of classrooms.
Founded on the principles of collaboration, innovation, and social impact, Donel Consulting is a leading international development consulting firm operating across Africa. With a presence in East, West, and Southern Africa, we deliver expert services to governments, NGOs, and private sector organizations seeking to drive positive change in their communities.
April 12. 2024
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Our team of experienced professionals, drawn from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, leverages their expertise to design and implement effective solutions in agriculture, health, education, energy, infrastructure, and economic development. By combining local knowledge with global best practices, we empower our clients to achieve their goals and create lasting impact.
Empowering Resilience: Implementing a Rainwater Harvesting System for a Drought-Stricken Community
By implementing a rainwater harvesting system, the project provided a reliable water source, fostering self-sufficiency and empowering the community to build resilience against the impacts of drought. This initiative not only addressed the immediate need for water but also paved the way for improved sanitation practices and enabled drought-resistant small-scale agriculture, demonstrating the transformative potential of locally-adapted interventions in enhancing the well-being and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
Sand Dams
In arid regions of Kenya and Ethiopia, communities have revived ancient techniques of building low concrete walls across seasonal riverbeds. These structures trap sand and create underground water reservoirs that can last for months after the rains have stopped. The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity and low maintenance requirements.
Sand Dams
In arid regions of Kenya and Ethiopia, communities have revived ancient techniques of building low concrete walls across seasonal riverbeds. These structures trap sand and create underground water reservoirs that can last for months after the rains have stopped. The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity and low maintenance requirements.
Macro-catchment Systems
In Tanzania and Burkina Faso, a large-scale landscape modifications that direct runoff from hillsides into reservoirs or agricultural fields. These systems can dramatically increase water availability for farming and livestock.
Unlocking new possibilities for forward-thinking organizations.
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Harnessing Social Capital
The capacity to tackle collective challenges through coordinated action based on relationships of trust and reciprocity. Communities with strong traditions of cooperation are endowed with reserves of social capital that can be productively tapped for development purposes.
Challenges faced
Awareness Raising
Community-based child protection network
Exit strategies that connect OVCs with sustainable living arrangements.
Managing Public Debt : An ethical responsibility for future citizens
A critical analysis of the public debt situation in Africa
Social Impact Bonds and the Private Sector
Attracting the private sector to play a bigger role in tackling complex development challenges.
Consulting firms can provide valuable expertise in structuring SIBs, from feasibility studies to implementation.
By aligning incentives and transferring financial risk from governments to private investors, SIBs create a unique ecosystem where profit-driven entities collaborate with public agencies and service providers to achieve measurable social outcomes.
This model not only mobilizes additional resources for development initiatives but also introduces market discipline and performance-driven approaches to social service delivery, potentially leading to more efficient and effective interventions in areas such as healthcare, education, and criminal justice reform.
Early warning and analysis on food insecurity matters
Early warning data provides a solid foundation for developing effective policies and strategies to address food insecurity.
What are our moral obligations to those less fortunate, particularly when their suffering is so fundamental to their well-being and development?
Expanding social safety net programs to ensure all children’s basic needs are met
Implementing comprehensive strategies that address the multifaceted nature of child poverty – including factors such as housing stability, food security, access to quality education, and healthcare – can yield significant dividends in terms of improved cognitive development, better health outcomes, and increased economic mobility.
It’s about resilient and equitable food system.
Africa’s agricultural sector holds immense potential. Yet, fragmented value chains, limited access to resources, and a disconnect between farmers and consumers often leave this potential untapped.
Mechanisms for farmers to predict market demand and adjust planting strategies accordingly.
The need prioritize local markets that directly connect farmers with consumers.
Local markets and farmer cooperatives are not isolated forces. They work in tandem. Cooperative-produced goods find ready markets locally, while market demand informs cooperative production decisions.
Smallholder farmers often struggle to access resources, negotiate fair prices, and secure financing.