About the handbook & Workbook
This practical guide helps socially-driven organisations embed diversity, equity and inclusion into their daily operations. Whether you’re just starting DEI work or looking to strengthen existing efforts, you’ll find actionable frameworks, real examples from 60+ organisations, and honest insights about what works (and what’s challenging).
The handbook builds on the legacy of the Partos DEI trajectory, a three-year program aimed at supporting teams and organisations to embed justice-led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices. We worked with program staff, activists, community weavers, organisers, leadership, HR, mental health practitioners and experienced DEI and Racial Justice facilitators to curate the different modules of the trajectory. A significant part of the trajectory was dedicated to deepening commitment to Racial Justice, as this was prioritised by participants. Together, these modules cover the colourful patchwork of what we call Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work, offering concrete steps to build your DEI practice and skills to navigate challenges, and champion successes.
Open the handbook
Open the workbook
How to use the handbook
The handbook is meant to be used, not just read. The real work happens when you start having conversations, making changes and shifting how power works in your organisation. Each chapter includes a glossary with all the terminology and definitions, and an overview of useful resources. Next to this handbook, make sure to look into our workbook, which is full of assignments and practical tools. The Handbook covers the following topics:
- Defining DEI and Building DEI Strategies
- Intersectionality & Inclusive Culture
- Measuring and Monitoring DEI
- Racial Justice in DEI
- The Role of HR in DEI
- Navigating Resistance and Power Dynamics
- Mental Health and Well-being of DEI Professionals
Each chapter includes:
- Real examples from organisations like yours.
- Practical tools you can use straight away.
- Honest insights about what works and what is challenging.
- Clear next steps you can take action.
Why is it important?
In today’s climate, where diversity, equity and inclusion efforts face growing opposition and legal restrictions, having a strong and clear strategic approach is more crucial than ever. The sector’s links with colonialism, racism and white superiority and ongoing inequalities in international partnerships call for deep self-reflection on internal values, working culture and representation that may reproduce long-existing forms of exclusion. Our efforts on DEI are born out of a belief that the above are interconnected; an inclusive organisational culture, values and policies will help organisations and businesses to apply these approaches in their programmes, resulting in more equitable partnerships and collaborations.
“We are not immune to the challenges of discrimination and exclusion, but because justice stands at the heart of our mission, we are uniquely positioned to walk the talk.”
Gigi Ong-Alok, co-author DEI Handbook
Vision on change
Partos is committed to accelerating equitable, just, and decolonial transformation in international cooperation within its networks through learning, co-creation, and exchange. This is driven by the aim to take accountability for fixing and transforming the power-imbalanced system of international cooperation and solidarity, and to promote community-led change.
Credits
The DEI Handbook and workbook is written and edited by Gigi Pasco Ong-Alok & Elodie Kona. The visuals and design are by Nathalí Cedeño. They are inspired by collective knowledge and experiences from involved facilitators, experts, and participants in the Partos Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Trajectory and Racial Justice Affinity Spaces.
