Welcome Madamfo!
We started the day by warmly welcoming our new partner member, Madamfo, an organisation that has been active in Ghana for 50 years in healthcare and education. They offer scholarships to young people and rely mainly on volunteers.
Amendment to the Articles of Association: To Be Continued
One of the agenda items at the General Meeting was the amendment of our articles of association. The aim was to modernise the articles to reflect the current times better. Unfortunately, due to a number of absences, we didn’t reach the required threshold of two-thirds of the directors present. As a result, a new General Meeting will be held in May to repeat the vote. The invitation will follow shortly.
New Membership Fee System in 2026
Naturally, finances were also discussed. The annual report and financial statements were approved. In addition, the new membership fee system for 2026 was presented. This revision aims to create a more straightforward and transparent system based on the turnover of member organisations. During the discussion, various perspectives were shared. The board has agreed to look into a transitional arrangement to mitigate unintended consequences.
Raj Kumar (Devex): A Wake-Up Call for the Sector
Raj Kumar, President and Editor-in-Chief of Devex, gave an inspiring talk on the future of the development sector, highlighting that humanitarian needs are growing faster than available resources and that traditional donors are becoming less reliable. He called for innovation and disruption.
Key points from his talk included:
- The sector must reinvent itself.
- More investment is needed in local solutions.
- Technology can help improve efficiency.
- Collaboration is essential, including with those who think differently.
His insights align with his 2025 forecast, where he noted that official development assistance from traditional donors has peaked, humanitarian aid is becoming the primary focus of bilateral agencies, and that shifting funding directly to local organisations offers a path to sustainable development amid shrinking budgets.
You can watch Raj Kumar’s talk from the General Assembly here: Raj Kumar’s talk at the Partos General Assembly
The Political Context: Update by Koos de Bruijn
Koos de Bruijn provided an update on the political situation in The Hague and the possible implications for subsidies. Even during the General Meeting, news started to emerge that there may be some additional funding for development cooperation. However, new requirements and conditions are also being introduced. For example, there is the 50% threshold criterion (which does not apply to small organisations) and a plan to make annual reports publicly available.
Liana Hoorneweg presented the progress of the Dijk strategy by the core group. She called for participation in the follow-up to the international action conference (organised together with FNV) from the previous week.
Farewell to Hans, Welcome Andy Wehkamp!
During the General Meeting, we said goodbye to Hans Bruning, who played a significant role within Partos for many years. We thank him for his dedication, wisdom, and sense of humour. Fortunately, we have found a worthy successor, Andy Wehkamp, who will bring her extensive experience in international cooperation to Partos. After the Q&A session, there was time for a friendly reception, where members could continue the conversation and network.