The two-part IN PERSON course is designed to strengthen CSO and NGO staff’s ability to draw on digital tools and engage with AI critically, responsibly, and inclusively as part of their digital inclusion work. Rather than focusing on technical digital/AI skills, the course emphasizes:

• Programme design and decision-making

• Inclusion, equity, and safeguarding

• Governance and accountability in AI-enabled initiatives

The course builds on existing digital inclusion foundations and situates AI as a cross-cutting issue that can either mitigate or amplify gender and social inequalities.

Learning objectives:

• Identify where digital tools and AI already influence NGO operations and programmes

• Understand how digital tools and AI intersect with gender and digital inclusion

• Recognize common inclusion, bias, and safety risks in AI-enabled tools

• Ask informed questions of technology partners and donors

• Apply a practical inclusion and risk lens when designing or reviewing digital initiatives

Participant profile and fees

This Professional Development Course is designed for development/aid practitioners with a strong interest in digital inclusion and gender dynamics in challenging environments. Numbers will be capped at 15 participants (with a minimum of 4 participants). The 2-part course fee is 150 USD..

The main objective of this 5 session course is for participants to develop a deeper understanding of gender and development in fragile settings i.e. where the government is weak, absent or unwilling, including marginalised urban and rural areas. The course aims to specifically promote critical thinking regarding social institutions and inclusion in fighting global poverty and working towards democratic processes in more challenging environments. The course will draw attention to the influence of social institutions (norms, customs), and how they relate to formal institutions (laws, regulations). We will explore how social norms shape men/women’s everyday lives, choices and opportunities, and look at underlying cultural beliefs and values. We will debate the role of men and women in reinforcing or challenging these beliefs/practices, and the influence of the formal institutional environment. We will take a particular focus on women’s economic development and value chain participation.

Overview of course topics: 

Session 1:    

Introduction to gender in fragile environments

Session 2:     

Examining social institutions, gender and exclusion

Session 3:    

Gender and economic development

Session 4:    

Gender and value chains

Session 5:     

A look at key aid interventions and fostering inclusion

Participant profile:
The course is designed for:
•    Female researchers, and post-graduate students keen to develop a deeper understanding of gender and development
•    Mid-senior female development practitioners engaged in the implementation of local development projects with a strong interest in gender and change

Numbers will be capped at 12-15 participants (with a minimum of 4 participants).

Course load and outcomes:
Online participants will be expected to attend the five weekly afternoon sessions (online), and to engage in 2 hours (maximum) of reading/assignments outside of class per week (total student load is approximately 3-4 hours per week). Alternatively, onsite participants will be expected to participate in 3 full days training in Nairobi.

At the end of the course, participants will have enhanced their knowledge on gender dynamics and social change in fragile settings, and learnt best practices in women’s socio-economic inclusion and value chain development.

Course fee (ONLINE):
The online course fee is 300 USD / pp. Early bird fee (two weeks before start date) is 280 USD.

Course fee (ONSITE):

The onsite course fee is 600 USD / pp. Early bird fee is 550 USD. Residential options (single room with bathroom plus meals) available onsite at the SOS training centre, please inquire for details.

Course fee (HYBRID):

The hybrid course fee is 450 USD / pp. Early bird fee is 400 USD. Residential options (single room with bathroom plus meals) available onsite at the SOS training centre, please inquire for details.

UPCOMING COURSE DATES:
To be announced.

The main objective of this 5 session course is for participants to develop critical skills and techniques in qualitative research, particularly related to academic or project-based studies in ‘fragile’ contexts (i.e. where basic services and security may be lacking, including in low income settlements and slum areas). The course aims to specifically focus on research design, methods, and analysis. 

Overview of course topics:

Session 1:

Introduction to qualitative research

Session 2:

Exploring core qualitative research tools

Session 3:

Case studies and incorporating ethnography

Session 4: 


Designing your own research project in different contexts

Session 5:

From research project design to analysis

Participant profile:

The course is designed for:
•    Female researchers and BA/MA students keen to develop critical techniques in qualitative research
•    Early-mid level female development practitioners engaged in the implementation of (inter)national development projects with a strong interest in research.

Numbers will be capped at 12-15 participants (with a minimum of 4 participants).

Course load and outcomes:

Online participants will be expected to attend the five weekly afternoon sessions (online), and to engage in 2 hours (maximum) of reading/assignments outside of class per week (total student load is approximately 3-4 hours per week). Alternatively, onsite participants will be expected to participate in 3 full days training in Nairobi.

At the end of the course, participants will have enhanced their knowledge on conducting high-quality qualitative research in complex developing environments: from design to analysis. In terms of core tools, we will focus in particular on learning three qualitative research methods: observation, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs), with online tips during the pandemic. Towards improved analysis, the course will look at key techniques for consolidating information and drawing out dominant themes.

Course fee (ONLINE):
The online course fee is 300 USD / pp. Early bird fee (two weeks before start date) is 250 USD.

Course fee (ONSITE):

The onsite course fee is 600 USD / pp. Early bird fee (two weeks before start date) is 550 USD. Residential options (single room with bathroom plus meals) available onsite at the SOS training centre, please inquire for details.

Course fee (HYBRID):

The hybrid course fee is 450 USD / pp. Early bird fee (two weeks before start date) is 400 USD. Residential options (single room with bathroom plus meals) available onsite at the SOS training centre, please inquire for details.

UPCOMING COURSE DATES:

To be announced.

THRIVE has developed this exciting new course with Women4Women based in The Netherlands. The course is especially designed for women working in entrepreneurship development and policy making in fragile developing contexts who are passionate about business and social change.

The main objective of this 5-session course is for participants to gain basic knowledge on all aspects of social entrepreneurship from goals, motivation to design, implementation and sustainability. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on social entrepreneurship and how they may be able to integrate this concept into their programmes and projects as a pathway towards fostering social, cultural environmental change through grassroots business. With a focus on exchange and connection, participants will gain a valuable network of other aspiring colleagues in (social) enterprise development and policy making.

Overview of course topics:

Session 1:        

Introduction to social entrepreneurship

Session 2:        

People and the Planet

Session 3: 
     

Identifying/designing social enterprise concepts: from values to value propositions

Session 4:        

Operationalizing a social business: ensuring sustainability and scale

Session 5:        

Taking the next step: reflecting on your own organisations to integrate social entrepreneurship for bottom-up change

Participant profile:
This course is designed for women working in entrepreneurship development and policy making in developing contexts, particularly in more marginalised settings, who are passionate about business and social change. Numbers will be capped at 12-15 participants (with a minimum of 4 participants).

Course load and outcomes:
Online participants will be expected to attend the five weekly afternoon sessions (online), and to engage in 2 hours (maximum) of reading/assignments outside of class per week (total student load is approximately 3-4 hours per week). Alternatively, onsite participants will be expected to participate in 3 full days training in Nairobi.

At the end of the course, participants will have: enhanced their knowledge on key principles of social entrepreneurship and practical tips for developing social enterprises in complex developing environments, identified potential options for integrating social entrepreneurship into their existing and/or future projects and programmes; and expanded their network of colleagues working in the field of (social) entrepreneurship development and policy making

Course fee (ONLINE):
The online course fee is 300 USD / pp. Early bird fee (two weeks before start date) is 280 USD / pp.

Course fee (ONSITE):

The onsite course fee is 600 USD / pp. Early bird fee is 550 USD. Residential options (single room with bathroom plus meals) available onsite at the SOS training centre, please inquire for details.

UPCOMING COURSE DATES:
To be announced.