Before moving into a new project area, we from SONNE-International set up an action plan. We take a very close look at the situation and define exactly how we can improve the living conditons of the local population in a sustainable manner. Often it is not sufficient to give people access to basic education, skills training or health care – in order to improve their situation substantially, an integrated approach is needed. It is our aim to support our beneficiaries until they can generate income for themselves and consequently organize their lives independently.

Participatory, cooperative approach

All our projects in the respective countries are planned and executed in close cooperation with local partners who are well-established and have the necessary project management know-how.

We choose, conceive and implement the projects together with our local partners in a participatory manner. The partners are responsible for conducting the project on site, for writing regular reports, for administering the finances and for carrying out annual audit reports. SONNE-International provides the financial means, administers, controls and evaluates the projects and keeps contact with the funding bodies and with major as well as small donors.

We put particular emphasis on gender equality when conceiving our projects as well as with regard to their execution, administration and management.

By leaving the execution of the projects in the hands of our local partners and by providing them with systematic professional training whenever necessary, we want to strengthen their structures and to increase their competence and their sense of ownership.

As we are convinced that our local partners have the necessary know-how for implementing the projects, we refrain from deploying long-term development aid workers or expatriates.