Intervolve is a non profit organisation with a distinguishing role. We offer our own innovative programmes and activities towards improving the social economic circumstances of people living in urban areas in developing countries. Our aim is sustainable improvements by providing knowledge, expertise and means and by connecting to the will power and ambition of the people on the spot. We use an integrated approach, in which education, economic stimulus, housing, environment and employability are in cohesion. The effect: sustainable area and local development with lasting results.
To make our activties possible we maintain, enlarge and activate a broad network of companies, governments and organisations. Our sponsors and donors offer their means and expertise. They get results, committment and a interesting network in return. That is how we crosslink chances for people living in urban areas in developing countries with the possibilities fororganisations to showcase their corporate social responsibility (CSR)policy.
Next to this, we also provide consultancy commissioned by clients. For example cities twinning programmes, investments for CSR or support for other projects.
WHAT WE DO
Intervolve develops and implements its own programmes and projects in cooperation with others and thanks to contributions of sponsors and donors. Intervolve also accepts consultancy assignments from third parties. Our specialism is in the field of urban areas, both in developing and developed countries.
Own programmes and projects
Our method is characterised by its simultaneous (integrated) approach to the local social, economic and housing problems, while also paying heed to the health and environmental aspects. The reason: It is only really worthwhile building new housing in slum areas if steps are also taken to perceptibly improve the residents’ income, employment opportunities and living conditions. We therefore invariably seek the connection between practical measures and sustainable solutions.
As they are developed in close consultation with (inter)national experts and local communities, Intervolve programmes comprise methodical projects in the following fields of intervention:
Economic development and employment
In developing countries, chances and threats to construct a decent life are concentrated in the urban areas. Those who want to withdraw themselves, are searching there way through the urban jungle.
Focused improvements of employment, training and professional education can enable these people to establish economic independence.
Intervolve makes these efforts through widely arranged initiatives and by supporting others in order to contribute to stopping the spiral of poverty. Especially in urban areas, Intervolve perceives the stimulation of employment, to obtain and improve professional qualifications and the encouragement enterprising as a primair condition for development. We are therefore looking for a consistency between pratical measures and sustainable solutions, with an integral, programmatic approach as a guideline. Our focus areas are:
-The stimulation of employment
-Initiating vocational and practical training
-Stimulating entrepreneurship and initiating business development
-Improving local business climate
Our method is focused on connecting knowledge and creativity of those who are directly involved, to that of (inter)national experts and to link economy and other sectors.
Housing and living environment
The power of attraction of the city leads to the creation of large concentrations of people living in widely ranging circumstances. As a result of the lack of economic forces and financial means, and sometimes as a result of the political situation, cities in developing countries are unable to provide decent accommodation and a safe environment to large groups of people.
In the case of Intervolve, setting up housing projects always entails more than simply commencing construction operations. It invariably also comprises cohesion with not only schooling, work and improvement of the living conditions, but also innovations in the area of the infrastructure.
We distinguish the following four cohesive areas for attention:
-Spatial planning and layout
-Construction and renovation of housing and commercial units
-Establishing and supervising management structures
-Management and maintenance of public spaces
In cooperation with the local community and the relevant networks at various levels, we decide which housing programme needs to be realised and which amendments to the environment are required.
Health care and the environment
Poor hygiene and the lack of basic health care as well as environmental facilities are often essential problems in developing countries’ urban living environments. This is usually due to structural poverty and poor housing facilities. Intervolve therefore integrates programmes in the field of health care and the environment, preferably by adopting a broad approach to the living environment.
In practice, measures to promote hygiene usually prove most effective as part of a housing improvement project; the provision of proper sewerage and water supply facilities are sufficient to yield a significant long-term improvement.
Our vision is therefore as follows: Information, prevention and the establishment of (first line) facilities should, wherever possible, be carried out as part of large-scale projects and be linked to schooling and training. Our strategy hinges on creating ties with other (local) initiatives. Our focus areas in the field of health care and the environment are as follows:
-Health and hygiene information
-Prevention and care programmes
-Increasing environmental awareness
Social cohesion and development
In circumstances where there is little to share, it is usually a case of every man for himself. As this is the destiny of many people living in the urban concentrations of developing countries, social cohesion is usually a scarce commodity. It is nevertheless one of the keys to the widespread and lasting improvement of circumstances. After all, people who make the effort to look beyond ‘tomorrow’, who forge plans in which they involve others, invariably feel committed to a joint future.
The promotion of social cohesion and development is therefore one of the crucial aspects of the integrated approach that Intervolve favours. We also promote these in a very tangible manner. We for instance support neighbourhood initiatives in the field of sports and games, in combination with the construction and maintenance of sports facilities. Or, we combine housing improvements with the creation of homework classes. This converts ‘social cohesion’ from an abstract concept to a practical matter.
Intervolve programmes and projects in the field of social cohesion distinguish the following three areas for attention:
-The creation and reinforcement of social structures
-The creation of social amenities
-Reinforcing local self-organisation
Consultancy
Intervolve launches not only its own integral programmes, but also increasingly serves as a consultancy partner for governments, businesses and development organisations. Our vast wealth of practical experience enables us to either draw up or assess plans of approach for urban problems. Intervolve can therefore supervise your entire project from initial ambition to final result.
The description of the problem of a development project is usually not so difficult. The problem is almost invariably the process that has to be completed to achieve tangible results. This includes the concrete measures required to actually succeed. This characteristic integrated approach, practical hands-on attitude and Intervolve’s extensive expertise, enables you to conveniently achieve tangible output in a targeted manner.
Our consultancy operations focus on those aspects of the development issue that we are familiar with, thanks to our practical experience gained in various countries. We have experience of executing programmes and projects in the following areas:
-Economic development and employment
-Housing and living environment
-Health and the environment
-Social cohesion and social development
