Built to Work: Designing Programmes for Maximum Impact

About the series:

Saturday Skill Ups is a free learning series by New Venture Partners, designed for professionals working in community-based organisations and small nonprofits. Through practical, expert-led sessions delivered online, this series helps teams and leaders build confidence, enhance capabilities, and adapt to the evolving needs of the social sector.

The series will feature eight sessions covering key themes such as:

• Effective programming

• Quality communications

• Resource mobilisation

• Organisational strengthening

About Session 3 | Programme Design: Key to Successful Implementation

What makes a programme design effective? How does it help an organisation achieve its mission? What are the risks of poor design, and how can you build better programmes? Who should be involved in this process?

This session will help nonprofits strengthen their understanding of effective programme design and the processes behind it. Through interactive discussions and peer sharing, participants will explore common gaps and challenges in designing impactful programmes. They will also reflect on the effectiveness of their own programmes and identify areas for improvement.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand what makes a programme effective using an Institutional Strengthening lens

• Learn from real-life case studies how strong design supports mission outcomes—and the risks of weak design

• Explore how to apply the Design Thinking framework (adapted for the social sector) to improve programme design

• Review your own programme with fresh insights and identify areas for improvement

Who Should Attend:
Senior leaders and decision-makers involved in programme design, implementation, research, strategy, or impact assessment. This session is especially relevant for NGOs with an annual budget of ₹5 crore or below that are looking to strengthen their programme frameworks and align them more closely with long-term outcomes and organisational goals.

New Venture Partners is a social enterprise that supports CBOs and growth-oriented nonprofits in scaling their impact. It works closely with partners on resource mobilisation, programme design, and team capacity building—covering areas like donor engagement, strategic planning, and compliance. Its experienced team brings sector expertise and creativity to help turn ideas into action. New Venture Partners also taps into a network of experts in M&E, compliance, web design, finance, and more.