It was an idea that drew me to INTRAC, well before it was a proper organisation. Achieving lasting change for the most vulnerable needs far-sighted programming and great management. 25 years on, that idea still holds true. INTRAC gives me the opportunities, space and encouragement to pursue that idea. That’s why I’m still here today…
Rick James, INTRAC Principal Consultant
It’s the 18th of November.
Today marks 25 years since INTRAC was founded, and that is a milestone worth celebrating!
Since 1991 we have been building the skills and knowledge of civil society all around the world to tackle poverty and inequality and to bring about real change in their societies.
But we didn’t know, when INTRAC was first registered as a charity in the UK on the 18th of November 1991, that it would grow into what it is today.
From four ‘founders’ contributing some of their own money to get the concept off the ground without any other financial backing, INTRAC has become a unique, diverse, well-respected international organisation that helps hundreds of organisations and individuals ever year to review their approaches, assess their impact, and bring lasting change to peoples’ lives.
From delivering a few tailor-made training courses here and there, we have an average of 200 participants attending our Oxford-based courses each year for the last 10 years, and have expanded our training in new and exciting ways through online services.
INTRAC set out to bridge theory and practice, to produce publications for reflective practitioners and provide a space to set agendas for debates on civil society policy. In 25 years we have published hundreds of freely available newsletters, briefing papers and practice-based think-pieces. We have convened conferences and workshops in many countries. We have provided avenues for practitioners to share best practice and contribute to knowledge so that others can learn from them.
Of course, there have been times when we didn’t think we could make it – financial wobbles, internal upsets, global shifts, and changes in the role that civil society organisations play in development… But we have always pushed through the hard times because the need for INTRAC to accompany organisations and influence civil society policy has not abated.
Our work has always been deeply rewarding, thanks to all of you – training participants, staff and former staff, Board members, associates, donors, volunteers, funders, partners and friends who have believed in civil society’s potential and in our contribution to its work for all these years.
Looking back over the last 25 years, we can be proud of what we have achieved. Looking forward, we aim to make an even bigger difference for the next 25 years.
If you have a memory of INTRAC that you would like to share to help us celebrate our 25th anniversary, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.