International Workshop on Resource Mobilization

Event International Workshop on Resource Mobilization
Date 23-25 May
Venue Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Organizer Resource Alliance

When the first International Workshop for Resource Mobilization (IWRM) was held in the Netherlands nine years ago, the challenge it faced was to find its niche between Resource Alliance’s annual International Fundraising Congress (IFC) in the Netherlands and a growing number of regional fundraising workshops. Judging by the responses of the 360 participants at the 8th IWRM held in Kuala Lumpur on 23-25 May, it seems now to have found that niche.

Initially it seemed that the IWRM would be more a discussion of the policy context for mobilizing resources in developing countries than a practical workshop teaching fundraising techniques. At that time most NGOs in developing countries were still looking almost exclusively to richer countries for funding and only beginning to take on board the idea of raising money in their home countries. Even now the idea of raising money from the public is still a step too far for many southern NGOs.

But there is a limit to how much you can discuss the policy context, and fundraisers are practical people, thirsty for concrete ‘how to’ information and ideas – which is what the IWRM now provides. Unlike the IFC, it offers workshops at different levels – but I wonder if the Beginners level will be abandoned in future years. If I heard any criticism from IWRM participants, it was that sessions were too basic. Most people attending the IWRM seem to be past the basic stage – perhaps partly because only those from the larger NGOs can afford to come. It seems that the organizers are taking this feedback on board and plan more advanced classes next year as well as some innovative hands-on sessions.

Mostly participants seemed well satisfied with what they were offered. Workshops on topics like ‘The Techniques Toolbox’ and ‘Major Donors – Next Week!’ were particularly popular, delivered by leading lights of the fundraising world such as Mal Warwick, Tony Elischer, Norma Galafassi and Michael Norton. One complaint was about the lack of ‘examples’ – of successful and unsuccessful fundraising proposals, for instance – something that is almost impossible to deliver in 90-minute workshops and of dubious value given how context-specific any funding proposal is likely to be. As I said, fundraisers are very practical people!

For more information
www.resource-alliance.org