How We Work
Demand-Driven. Collaborative.
Impactful.
We partner with cities, communities and organisations to strengthen inclusive, resilient urban systems.
Our Approach
Our approach is shaped by decades of hands-on urban development experience and a clear commitment to people-first, systems-based practice.
How we work matters as much as what we do.
> Demand-Driven Practice
We begin with what people and institutions actually need, not with pre-designed solutions.
This means we listen closely to municipalities, service providers, and communities; understand operational realities, constraints, and incentives and respond to locally defined priorities rather than external agendas.
> fair-fee model
We work on the basis of fair, transparent compensation that respects local economic realities.
We prioritise working directly with local clients where possible, avoid creating dependency on donor funding, explore flexible arrangements such as phased fees, service exchanges, or blended financing.
> temporary catalyst
We do not build parallel project structures or permanent delivery organisations.
Instead, we enter as a temporary catalyst to support alignment, system strengthening, and capacity development. We exit once local actors ask us to and are resourced to continue independently.
Our work in numbers
We track impact in ways that reflect systems change, not just project outputs.
Our role is to strengthen existing institutions, networks and processes so that urban systems continue to evolve long after our direct involvement ends. This kind of nuanced, interconnected work is often hard to quantify.
combined years of experience in international development
30+
nationalities represented
15
cities
supported
25+
people indirectly reached through improved urban services & systems
+1M
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of organisations do you work with?
We work with municipalities, local enterprises, community organisations, practitioners, and funding partners committed to inclusive urban development.
How are you different from traditional consultants?
We prioritise demand-driven work, temporary catalytic roles, open knowledge sharing and fair-fee models. We focus on strengthening systems rather than delivering standalone projects.
Do you only work in waste and sanitation?
While our roots are in waste and sanitation, we support broader urban systems, including environmental services, social infrastructure and institutional strengthening.
Do you work with donors?
Yes, where donor engagement aligns with local priorities and supports demand-led, locally grounded processes.
Are you an independent entity?
Yes. While collaboration is core to our identity and way of working, the Collective for Inclusive Development (CfID) is a completely an independent entity.
What makes your approach inclusive?
Our emphasis on demand-driven practice means we support the development of urban solutions that are grown from within. We focus on strengthening local ownership, accountability and long-term sustainability with the impact we are working towards. Our approach supports more balanced partnerships and reinforces the value of local expertise, while allowing us to maintain independence, integrity and professional accountability.
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About Us
What We Do
