Putting Out Fires with Flexibility
How an adaptive management approach helped Education Out Loud grantee ZINECDA recover after a devastating office fire.
In April 2024, the Zimbabwe Network of Early Childhood Development Actors (ZINECDA) faced an unexpected setback when an electrical fault caused a fire that destroyed their office. The damage was extensive, and without insurance, the organisation lost essential equipment, documents, and their working space.
“The incident was unexpected, frustrating, and could have significantly disrupted the work of ZINECDA. But thanks to flexible, responsive strategic partnerships with Education Out Loud, the Roger Federer Foundation, ECOZI, and UNICEF Zimbabwe Office, we were able to adapt quickly — in less than six months — and continue with our activities with minimal disruption,” says Marceline, the Director at ZINECDA.
Supported by Education Out Loud, ZINECDA works closely with the Horn, East and Southern Africa Regional Management Unit in Kampala, which applies an adaptive management approach in its work with grantees. This approach allows for adjustments in plans and budgets when circumstances change, something that proved crucial in this case.
“When we informed Education Out Loud about the fire, their first response was concern for our team’s well-being,” said Marceline Kahlari. “Then they worked with us to revise our plans and reallocate funds so we could recover and move forward, with a functional office once again.”
With this support and the support from the Roger Federer Foundation, ECOZI, and UNICEF Zimbabwe, ZINECDA was able to replace the office equipment, secure a new temporary office, and adjust their project timelines. The flexibility provided by the adaptive management framework meant that the organisation could focus on recovery without being constrained by rigid procedures.
Supported by Education Out Loud, ZINECDA works closely with the Horn, East and Southern Africa Regional Management Unit in Kampala, which applies an adaptive management approach in its work with grantees. This approach allows for adjustments in plans and budgets when circumstances change, something that proved crucial in this case.
“When we informed Education Out Loud about the fire, their first response was concern for our team’s well-being,” said Marceline Kahlari. “Then they worked with us to revise our plans and reallocate funds so we could recover and move forward, with a functional office once again.”
With this support and the support from the Roger Federer Foundation, ECOZI, and UNICEF Zimbabwe, ZINECDA was able to replace the office equipment, secure a new temporary office, and adjust their project timelines. The flexibility provided by the adaptive management framework meant that the organization could focus on recovery without being constrained by rigid procedures.
“Adaptive management is about recognizing that change is part of the reality our partners work in,” said Kobia David Simon, the Regional Education Advisor at the RMU Kampala. “Our role is to support grantees in navigating those changes effectively.”
“Adaptive management is about recognising that change is part of the reality our partners work in,” said Kobia David Simon, Regional Education Advisor for Education Out Loud in Kampala. “Our role is to support grantees in navigating those changes effectively.”
After a year devoted to recovery and rebuilding, ZINECDA is now fully back on track with its activities. The experience has underscored the critical importance of donor flexibility during times of crisis.
“The fire serves as a powerful reminder that adaptive management is not only about responding to crises, but also about recognising vulnerabilities before they escalate into disasters. Although the physical loss was complete, the safeguarding of digital data and the swift, effective recovery demonstrate the resilience of an organisation already well into its crucial journey of digital transformation,” says Richard Olong, Regional Programme Manager, Education Out Loud.
Adaptive Mangagement
Adaptive management is an important and powerful way to maximise the impact of Education Out Loud activities and ensure that civil society action on education reform remains relevant.
With input from the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Education Out Loud has developed a set of principles and processes to encourage grantees to embrace adaptive management. The guide explains what we mean by adaptive management, why it is important, and how it links with other key processes such as learning, risk management, and monitoring & evaluation. It also outlines how grantees can adjust their plans to respond to a changing world.