7 Keys to the Future of Aid

By Ann Hudock, DPhil

Through my work leading Counterpart International, I’ve identified some broad trends that are changing how the aid community will evolve and work in the (near) future. Do you agree? Disagree? Anything to add? Let me know in the comments! 

1. There will be a greater focus on employee welfare — not just productivity. Work schedules will become more flexible.
2. The physical office will end in many cases, and undergo a major adjustment in others. As work styles change and teams become remote, aid organizations will rethink major real estate expenses. Investment in centralized office build-out will decrease.
3. We will see a greater appreciation for the ways in which gender, race, and class impact development and well-being. Teams will embrace a more holistic perspective, and welcome a broader range of experiences. Inputs will become more diversified.
4. Self care will become a key to leadership. The do-it-all leader who burns the candle at both ends will be replaced by leaders who work smart while leading rich, full lives.
5. Project Management will go remote: Local leaders, organizations, and networks will be increasingly central to success. As aid organizations themselves embrace more decentralized, diverse models, local staff and partners will play a high profile, crucial role.
6. Poverty will become globalized. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals have highlighted this, but COVID crippling the United States shows how real it is.
7. Funders will become more flexible. Deep partnerships will be called for with aid organizations, rather than directives. Rapid response capabilities, notably shown by leading organizations already, will play an increasingly important role (USAID’s COVID response has shown an openness to partnering and learning, for instance).