Strategic Plan
The work of Dóchas is based on the values and experiences of our member organisations, and that of their colleagues and partners overseas. We develop five year strategies to reflect and support those values.
Dóchas Strategy 2022 - 2026
Over the next five years, supported by an effective organisational approach, Dóchas will focus on four complementary and mutually reinforcing areas of work aimed at strengthening the overall impact of Irish international development and humanitarian organisations.
Network
Develop a strong and dyanmic network that enhances opportunities for connection, coordination and collaboration.
We will develop a network that promotes new learning to bring about positive changes and improvements in policy and practice. We will coordinate our efforts with critical friends, partners, civil society groups and other networks.
Transform
Help the Irish international development and humanitarian sector to transform by creating opportunities for increased impact.
Influence
Mobilise our convening power to influence policy change and public support.
We will reinforce Dóchas’ role and reputation as a leading influencer and agent for change on key topics. We will strengthen our external relations and advocacy, fostering political and public support for international development.
Lead
Encourage strong and diverse leadership in the Irish international development and humanitarian sector.
We will work with existing and emerging leaders in the sector to develop their capacities and skills, enabling them to champion collective issues, and lead and speak from a sectoral identity.
Previous Strategies
2022 New Strategy Process
This year will see Dóchas develop a new five year strategy. As part of this process we partnered with REOS to complete a project to Re-Imagine INGOs. This project brought together members and critical friends and the results were presented at the Dóchas 2021 Conference. The presentation is available below.
2021 Interim Strategy Statement
The uncertainty created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. This inevitably presents a wide range of challenges, and opportunities for the sector in 2021, both in terms of programming, fundraising and public engagement.
For Dóchas, we need to continue to be responsive to the needs of the sector both in terms of the kind of events and conversations we host, as well as finding ways to connect and support members.
This “Interim Strategy Statement” has been developed to guide and prioritise our work, whilst ensuring we remain adaptable to further shocks or changes to the sector. We will need to continue to be ambitious but realistic in terms of what the Secretariat can deliver to meet the wide ranging needs of our diverse membership.
This interim strategy is expected to complement our Strategic Plan 2015 to 2020, as well as help us develop a new strategy by the end of 2021. It has been developed through a facilitated planning process with the Dóchas team and the Board, as well as reflecting on the findings of a recent Dóchas survey.
Dóchas Strategy 2015-2020
The 2015-2020 Dóchas was build around four strategic priorities:
Build expertise
Connecting organisations and people and stimulate the exchange of experience to build a bigger shared knowledge base and to prompt the practical application of lessons learnt and insights gained.
Build our voice
Equipping our members to strengthen their ability to advocate on behalf of marginalised communities of people and build our capacity to coordinate, represent, educate and mobilise people and organisations working towards global justice.
Build alliances
Providing inspiring thought leadership and forge alliances and partnershipswith organisations and people that can help bring new solutions and increased scale to approaches to building global solidarity and global justice.
Build our network
Strengthening our accountable and effective network, so that the organisation can achieve its mission and vision and support a movement for global justice in the long term.