INTRAC Newsletter May 2021

Welcome to the May 2021 newsletter, from Rachel Hayman

This is a hard message to write. It’s my last editorial as I step down from INTRAC as Director of Research, Learning and Communications. It’s been a huge privilege to work on many incredible initiatives over the past decade with the most talented, devoted and inspiring people I could ever hope to meet. This newsletter once again showcases that, with insights into the important INTRAC work on evaluations, programmes, training, publications, and advisory support.

Our viewpoint from Catherine Allen reflects on how INTRAC seeks to influence policy through the evaluation process, while in her viewpoint Anne Garbutt muses on her changing perspectives on online training.

It’s also a hard editorial to write because of the extreme pressure on so many of the organisations and civil society activists with whom INTRAC works. During our weekly staff check-in, you can hear the concern about friends and colleagues in countries facing civic strife, health crises and natural disasters; and about partner organisations and clients dealing with waves of budget cuts.

INTRAC is also affected by these dynamics. That is why we’ve been devoting time in the last few months to reviewing our values and our theory of change; we’ve brought together staff and non-staff consultants to reflect on how we approach learning and on what ‘shifting power’ means for INTRAC.

With some great talent and fresh ideas, and as I bow out, I wish all INTRAC staff, consultants, trustees and friends the very best of luck for the future.