Wishing everyone a peaceful and joyful holiday season. As the year draws to a close, we’re proud of what we achieved together in 2024. From meeting our strategic goals and launching a refreshed vision for the next three years, to expanding our work on climate justice and transitioning key programmes to local partners. We’re deeply grateful to our incredible staff, associates, and partners for their work and dedication this year and look forward to building on this momentum in 2025.
Social Development Direct
International Trade and Development
Putting gender equality and social inclusion at the heart of international development and humanitarian action
About us
Social Development Direct (SDDirect) works for equal rights and social justice around the world. We are a feminist organisation, with a long history of working for women’s rights and gender equality. Over time, we have expanded our areas of work to address other forms of discrimination and unequal power relationships, working on disability inclusion, LGBTQI+ rights, and anti-racism. We believe that different types of inequality such as race, age, class, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, religion, or ethnicity can combine to create even greater inequality, and we seek to understand and incorporate this in our work – this is known as taking an intersectional approach. As a social enterprise consultancy, our role is to offer the best quality advice, evidence and programme delivery to our partners and clients to help them make distinctive and lasting contributions to a more equal world. At the same time, we aspire ourselves to be a more inclusive organisation. We have a strong in-house team based at our head office in London and an international network of over 500 renowned social development professionals.
- Website
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http://www.sddirect.org.uk
External link for Social Development Direct
- Industry
- International Trade and Development
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- London
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 1999
- Specialties
- International Development, Gender equality, Social inclusion, Governance, Justice, Education, Health Rights, Peacebuilding, Urban Development, Women's economic empowerment, Humanitarian Action, Gender-Based Violence, Disability Inclusion, and Safeguarding
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Discovery House
28-42 Banner Street
London, EC1Y 8QE, GB
Employees at Social Development Direct
Updates
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We are excited to be part of the new Gender-Based Violence (#GBV) Prevention Programme South Sudan (GBVPSS), working alongside the British Embassy Juba, selected South Sudanese Women-Led Organisations, and UNICEF South Sudan. Over the next few years, we'll be working with our partners to shift harmful social norms, strengthen Women-Led Organisations (#WLO), provide quality services for GBV survivors, and generate evidence on what works to prevent GBV in South Sudan. WhatWorks2PreventVAWG UNICEF #SDDirectGBV #EndViolence #SouthSudan
I'm delighted to have recently attended and contributed to the launch and inception workshop of the new #GBV Prevention Programme South Sudan (GBVPSS). The British Embassy Juba, selected South Sudanese Women-Led Organisations, UNICEF South Sudan and Social Development Direct all gathered together to chart our way forward with this ambitious programme which will run through until end of March 2029. Social Development Direct will serve as What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls Learning Partnership Senior Technical Advisor Team to the GBVPSS. We'll be supporting partners with the generation, documentation and sharing of the GBV practice-based learning and evidence emerging from the programme. Collectively, as partners we aim to: - support communities in South Sudan to shift social norms that support GBV - provide GBV survivors with quality care and services - further strengthen the capacities of #WLO partners - learn about what works to prevent GBV in South Sudan We look forward to our journey ahead together and sharing relevant updates across our partner platforms. WhatWorks2PreventVAWG UNICEF Social Development Direct
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Since 2019, SDDirect has led the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub programme, launching 12 National Hubs across four continents, championing #safeguarding and always putting civil society organisations (#CSOs) at the heart of our approach. Today, we mark a significant milestone as we conclude this phase of our last two National Hubs in #Pakistan and #Bangladesh. Over just 20 months, these Hubs have made big impact, culminating in a graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievements of our mentored CSOs. We are immensely proud of the legacy we leave behind and look forward to seeing how the people and organisations we worked with will continue advancing safeguarding in their countries. Image description: A group photo of graduates from the mentorship programme in Pakistan (image 1) and Bangladesh (image 2).
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SDDirect is very proud to be part of the Syria Education Programme (Manahel). Manahel, meaning ‘fountains’ in Arabic, symbolises hope, knowledge, and life. Our role on this transformative initiative has been focused on advancing Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), safeguarding, and child protection. Together, we aim to create inclusive, safe, and equitable learning opportunities for all. This is a historic moment and we remain deeply inspired by our Syrian colleagues, whose resilience and commitment to equality has persevered even in the face of extraordinary challenges. We continue to work with you towards a brighter future for Syria.
At Chemonics UK, we are privileged to share in the joy and optimism of all Syrians at this historic moment. The fall of the Assad regime marks the beginning of new era, bringing hope and the opportunity to build a brighter future for all Syrians. We are proud to support children in Syria to access quality education through the Syria Education Programme (Manahel), laying the foundation for a resilient generation who will lead and rebuild their country. As #Syria navigates this transformation, we stand with our colleagues and partners in supporting a future that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people.
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As we close this year’s #16Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (#GBV), we also look towards a significant milestone - the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted in 1995, it outlined a bold vision for gender equality and the empowerment of women. Despite progress, inequality and GBV remain pervasive, particularly in humanitarian crises. In our latest blog written by Jeanne Ward we explore how feminist principles can transform humanitarian action, from addressing systemic challenges to amplifying the leadership of women and girls. Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/dQ_Vc5bv #16DaysofActivism #16Days2024 #EndViolence #HumanRightsDay #EndGBV #GenderEquality #Beijing30 #FeministPrinciples #SDDirectGBV
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During this year’s #16Days of Activism, our colleagues Clare Hollowell and Hanna (Johanna) Smit were in Nairobi facilitating the first regional Training of Trainers on the updated Caring for Child Survivors (CCS) guidelines. Jointly organised by UNICEF and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency this training was a crucial step in equipping practitioners from Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda with the skills needed to better support child survivors of sexual abuse. In their blog, Clare and Hanna share key updates to the guidelines, including strengthened connections between the best interests of the child and a survivor-centred approach, as well as a stronger focus on intersectionality to address the needs of marginalised children. The blog also spotlights all the incredible women-led and refugee-led organisations driving this essential work on the ground. Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/ddSfu_k6 #16Days2024 #16DaysofActivism #EndViolence #SDDirectGBV #EndViolenceAgainstChildren
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Have you considered the relationship between #GBV and #ClimateChange? As part of #16Days of Activism, we’re highlighting how GBV intersects with different areas of work at SDDirect. In the context of the climate crisis, a recent report from What Works 2 reveals that GBV is an unseen barrier to effective climate action. The report highlights how addressing GBV can strengthen climate change programmes by enabling staff and communities to fully engage in crucial climate work. Women-led organisations on the frontlines are proving that, even with limited resources, change is possible. Read the full report and policy brief here: https://lnkd.in/eA6Xqw8x #16Days2024 #16DaysofActivism #SDDirectGBV #EndViolence
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LGBTQI+ people are at increased risk of experiencing gender-based violence (#GBV), yet their voices are often invisible in research, programming and policy efforts. These #16Days, let’s make sure that LGBTQI+ people’s voices and experiences are part of the conversation on how we can collectively work towards ending GBV. 📌 Explore our blog, "Violence against LGBTQI+ people – A hidden pandemic," which delves into this issue and shares key evidence: https://lnkd.in/dc_-p-Nq 📌 Watch Outright International’s webinar, "New Insights on Gender-Based Violence Against LGBTIQ People," for more on this critical topic: https://lnkd.in/dTNGGA38 Veronica Ahlenbäck #16DaysOfActivism #16Days2024 #LGBTQI #SDDirectGBV
Violence against LGBTQI+ people – A hidden pandemic | Social Development Direct
sddirect.org.uk
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As we continue to mark #16Days of Activism, we want to repost this powerful blog from our partner organisation Tetra Tech International Development and brilliant colleague Julienne Corboz on the SAFE programme in #Zimbabwe. In this blog, Julienne highlights how the SAFE Evaluation and Learning Unit uses evidence to adapt its gender-based violence (#GBV) prevention interventions. Key lessons include addressing alcohol-related intimate partner violence (#IPV), enhancing gender-transformative approaches, and leveraging strong partnerships to generate timely evidence for effective programme adaptation. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/d39znm6h Find out more about the SAFE programme here: https://lnkd.in/eBptNZCT Gemma Ferguson Tina Musuya #16Days #16Days2024 #EndViolence #SDDirectGBV #Prevention
As we mark the #16DaysofActivism, our evaluation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Stopping Abuse and Female Exploitation (SAFE) programme is delivering evidence and lessons to support efforts to tackle gender-based violence in #Zimbabwe. At the recent #SVRI Forum 2024 in #CapeTown, our team leader, Julienne Corboz, was selected to present at a poster session to share the insights on maximising the effectiveness of evaluation and learning partnerships with programme implementers. Read her insights on how our SAFE evaluation work supports the learning and adaptation of interventions to reduce #GBV: https://lnkd.in/d39znm6h #SVRIForum #EndGBV #NoExcuse
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We’re less than a week away from the upcoming learning session for the SAFE programme on Tuesday 10 December! Today, we’re excited to highlight our excellent line up of speakers and panellists who will be sharing their distinct experiences of implementing Toose as well as hopes for the future of Intimate Partner Violence (#IPV) programming in Zimbabwe and beyond. Join Vimbainashe Mutendereki, Executive Director, Musasa, Elizabeth Van Veen, Programme Policy Officer, World Food Programme Zimbabwe and Sheila Murimoga, Gender and Inclusion Thematic Lead, Plan International, as they share their thoughts through our panel discussions. We will also hear from Netty Musanhu, Team Leader, SAFE Ecorys Zimbabwe and Hind M’hamdi, Evaluation Lead, SAFE Evaluation and Learning Unit, Tetra Tech, who will give a presentation on the Toose model, including key learning, adaptations and recommendations for future programming and funding. A PowerPoint presentation will be shown. We will also hear opening comments and reflections from Caitlin Spence, Social Development Adviser and GBV lead, British Embassy Harare and Jonathan Borsley, Managing Director, International Development, Ecorys UK. We’re delighted that Kate Bishop, Co-Director, Technical Team, Social Development Direct will be chairing the event! Register here: https://ow.ly/YOQA50Ub6ve Learn more about the SAFE programme here: https://ow.ly/9rqj50Ub6vc #16Days #EndViolence #NoExcuse #GenderEquality #SDDirectGBV #SAFEProgramme #EcorysUK #FCDO #TetraTechInternationalDevelopment
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