The IDEMS Principle
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This is a dedicated series of podcast episodes exploring the principles that underpin IDEMS’ work. Each of the current 20 IDEMS organisational principles is explored in a range of interviews and discussions between directors and team members. In each episode, we unpack a principle (defined in a word or phrase, sometimes well-established and other times completely new, that encapsulates a complex concept), exploring what it means and what it doesn’t mean. We explore how a principle impacts organisational decision making, the solutions we create, and how the team works with others. Introductory episodes throughout the series establish and frame the principles and category sub-groupings.
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IDEMS directors Kate, David and Danny introduce the podcast series and how it came about.
Santiago and David discuss David’s first experience of the principled approach and why he believes it is a useful tool.
Lucie and David explore how principle focused evaluation can help monitor whether the company stays true to its ideals and evaluate whether these are useful ideals (or principles).
IDEMS’ 20 principles are grouped into 5 sets of 4. Lily and David explore the reasons behind these groupings and discuss how people can engage in this podcast series about our principles.
Danny and David discuss the first set of principles: Scalable Impact. They present all the principles in this set, and discuss how they relate to each other, their motivation and history.
David and Santiago discuss the principle Scalable Impact: “This principle is central to the company vision. It pushes thinking to go beyond just finding individual solutions towards understanding how those solutions can be replicated.”
They explain how IDEMS strives to design solutions that are not only effective locally but can also be adapted and implemented in other contexts.
David and Santiago discuss the principle Viral Scaling: “This principle relates to how the company aims to achieve impact at scale. It can be interpreted as focusing on initiatives that have the potential spread naturally.”
They emphasise how initiatives can achieve exponential growth by spreading organically and illustrate this with examples from their work with African universities.
David and Lily discuss the principle Sustainable Development: “This principle touches on the desire for longevity. It forces the company to think beyond any given intervention and to always plan for continued development post-intervention.”
They emphasise the importance of creating long-lasting solutions beyond initial interventions and highlight how IDEMS’ focus on sustainable development involves supporting local partners to ensure that interventions are enduring and adaptable, contributing to ongoing developmental success beyond its direct involvement.
David and Lucie discuss the principle Capacity Building: “This principle defines the heart of company implementation. It manifests itself through the company mentorship programme as well as the implementation approach of specific projects.”
They emphasise its role in mentoring and training individuals at various stages of their careers and highlight how capacity building is integral to IDEMS activities, focusing on developing skills and providing opportunities with the goal of enhancing local capabilities and fostering long-term growth and development.
Danny and David discuss the second set of principles: Options by Context. They present all the principles in this set, and discuss how they relate to each other, their motivation and history.
IDEMS International Community Interest Company
Registered in England and Wales
Company number 11137433
