Hivos in brief
A fair, free and sustainable world – that is what Hivos, the Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation, wants to contribute to. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos strives for a world in which all citizens – both men and women – have equal access to resources and opportunities for development.
Mission
Hivos is a Dutch development organisation guided by humanist values. Together with local civil society organisations in developing countries, Hivos wants to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world. A world in which all citizens – both women and men – have equal access to opportunities and resources for development and can participate actively and equally in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.
Hivos trusts in the creativity and capacity of people. Quality, cooperation and innovation are core values in Hivos’ business philosophy. Hivos is committed to poor and marginalised people in Africa, Asia and Latin America. A lasting improvement in these people’s situation is the ultimate measure for the work and efforts of Hivos. One of the guiding principles of our philosophy is strengthening the social position of women.
Core Values
- human dignity and self-determination
- rejection of dogmatism and authoritarian rule
- pluralism and democracy
- mutual solidarity
- responsible citizenship
- respect for people’s cultural and social identity
Approach
Hivos supports over 600partners in 26 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Hivos provides financial resources, knowledge and advice as well as political support to these local community-based organisations. In addition, Hivos itself is active in the area of policy advocacy, both on the international stage and in the Netherlands. Civil society building and sustainable economic production are Hivos’ central policy themes. Part of the programme is implemented from the regional offices in Zimbabwe, India, Costa Rica and Indonesia. As from 2011, there will also be offices in East Africa and South America. These offices take care of a significant part of the contacts with partner organisations, such as providing on-going advice and support.
Roles
Through its regional offices, Hivos strengthens local organisations by means of capital, knowledge and contacts. Hivos is active in the area of policy advocacy and plays an important role in local civil society. Hivos also stimulates the building, exchange and application of knowledge for development. As a member of coalitions and a broker of contacts, Hivos belongs to a large number of networks.
Themes
Hivos contributes to:
- sustainable economic development
- democratisation, human rights, gender and AIDS
- culture, ICT and media
- responsible citizenship and transparency
Cooperation
Hivos cooperates with many NGOs, other civil society organisations, companies and public authorities in the Netherlands, Europe and the poorer developing countries, or “the South”. Complementarity in expertise, professional areas and roles as well as the combination of forces is crucial to achieving our goals. In the European context, Hivos actively collaborates with like-minded development organisations in Alliance2015. Hivos engages in international policy advocacy on recognisable themes and in close cooperation with prominent southern or international partner organisations, or in the context of the Eurostep network. In the Netherlands, Hivos combines forces with civil society organisations that specialise in one or more of its policy areas. Hivos also cooperates with peer organisations in Partos, a national platform for civil society organisations.
Accountability
Hivos is a private organisation with a social objective that serves a public function. Its main stakeholders are the Dutch public, (especially the humanist support base), the government, other financiers and development partners and the partner organisations in the South. Hivos operates under ISO certification and has the CBF (Dutch Central Bureau for Fundraising) Seal of Approval.
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