20.10.2025, 13:00 – 17:00 CET, Online
The Do No Harm approach in development cooperation, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding is a fundamental principle that aims to minimise the negative impacts of projects and programmes in these realms. This approach recognises that any interventions in social, cultural and economic contexts often involve complex dynamics and potential risks. Actors in should be aware that their measures can potentially exacerbate or alleviate conflicts in the target communities. Conflict sensitivity is therefore an integral part of partnership-based development cooperation.
Content:
This session is aimed at anyone working in development cooperation, humanitarian aid or peacebuilding who would like to expand their skills in communicating and conveying the Do No Harm approach to their teams. The Do-No-Harm approach itself, which aims to minimise the negative impacts of development projects, will not be the main focus of the training, but rather the question, how to explain the approach in an easy and concise way to your team or partners.
Target Group
The session is aimed at project managers and project officers of German development NGOs and their partner organisations, who want to learn how to convey the Do No Harm Approach in their team. Participants should already have a basic understanding of the Do No Harm approach - which has been acquired either by attending a VENRO basic module or similar training courses. In addition, it is recommended to watch the learning video on Do No Harm in our e-learning library as a refresher before the session.
Trainer
Michaela Leiss is a trainer and coach, specialising in peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation, Designing Peacebuilding Projects, Conflict Sensitivity & Do No Harm and Peace Education. Since 2009, she has worked as a facilitator, project/programme manager and consultant for various INGOs in the field of peacebuilding and conflict transformation in the Middle East and North Africa (freelance since 2017).
Place
Online, via Zoom.
Format
The online-session is planned for half a day and will take place in English.
Participation in the training session is limited.
Costs
Participation in the training programme is free of charge. Registration is binding.
The VENRO guidelines for development policy project and programme work
The eight VENRO guidelines (here is a short explanatory video) describe the common understanding of quality of VENRO's member organisations, which have committed themselves to aligning their project and programme work in the Global South with them. We offer continuous training on individual guidelines for practical implementation. This training relates to Guideline No. 8: Achieving lasting positive results.
Registration
Please register here by 30 September 2025. The registration period starts on 15 August 2025.
Please note that your registration is not a confirmation of participation. You will receive confirmation of your admission to the course one to two weeks after your registration.
If you have any questions, please contact Erzsébet Lajos (e.lajos(at)venro.org).