How We Work

Egmont seeks to solve the problems facing those most vulnerable, like any other investor, by finding working solutions and providing the resources to make an impact.

Egmont finds local leaders who are already making a positive difference. Those with effective operating models, a real connection to their communities and deep understanding of the issues affecting those most vulnerable.

Portfolio approach

Our work and the impact that it delivers for vulnerable children, women and families relies upon those we back: Egmont Partners.

Selecting and managing these local grassroots responses, helping their projects to develop, and linking them together to share expertise is the core of our approach.

Here's how we do it:

1. Identifying Partners

We use in-country staff, networks of contacts and referral mechanisms to find the very best local projects from the abundant marketplace. We conduct rigorous investigations into working models and results. We meet the people behind the organisations, through virtual and project site visits. We assess the efficacy of their approach and ensure that they have the right systems and processes to deliver expected results and demonstrate impact on those most vulnerable.

2. Scaling Up

Egmont Partners’ activities - by their grassroots nature - start small and can be expanded with guidance and targeted investment. Like any investment manager, we direct resources to effective Egmont Partners with proven results, reaching greater numbers of those affected.

The power of this approach means there is multiplier effects as impact scales from direct beneficiaries throughout their communities.

3. Developing Approaches

Egmont Partners are provided with project management advice and helped to identify and develop new ways that they can help their beneficiaries.

Our partnerships are collaborative and we work together to identify project gaps, opportunities for innovation and ways to deepen support for the vulnerable children, women and families targeted by the projects.

4. Linking and Learning

We link Egmont Partners together through our peer-learning initiatives, sharing best practice across The Egmont Portfolio, developing networks, and identifying collaborative opportunities and resource-sharing initiatives.

In this way, The Egmont Portfolio is a mechanism which adds significant value and increases the impact of donations.

EGMONT'S TRACK RECORD

From using the power of football and social media to reach adolescents with health information, to providing solar panels to families so children can study for school at home, we work with our Partners to make sure we’re finding the right solutions for each community.

Here's what we've achieved together over the past twenty years.

£13.2M

Committed to local Partners

130

Trusted local Partners

465

Locally owned projects

1.06M

People reached by our Partners' projects

Proving it

We use robust monitoring systems across our portfolio to ensure we are gaining social returns and impact commensurate with our levels of investment. We keep our supporters up to date with achievements on the ground and the impact made on the vulnerable children, women and families supported.

Here are a few of the steps we take to ensure change is being achieved and how we communicate it to our supporters:

Project Progress Reports

Throughout project implementation, Partners gather data to monitor progress against jointly agreed project goals. They then submit regular reports which Egmont carefully analyses for achievements, challenges and issues.

Project Site Visit Reports

Egmont staff and Trustees conduct regular site visits to see projects in action. Beneficiaries are met in the field and operational, finance and governance processes are reviewed on site.

Financial Controls Reviews

We work with Egmont Partners to scrutinise and improve their finance controls, processes and procedures to ensure transparency in how funds are used. Advice is provided to strengthen systems and help make projects more attractive to other donors.

Portfolio Impact Reports

We share with our supporters the change that is being achieved across The Egmont Portfolio. We compile all of the datapoints received from our supported projects and share with supporters what is working well and delivering results, and we are transparent about initiatives that are facing challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Egmont determine the cost of a project?

Projects vary according to the needs and issues facing the communities that Egmont Partners seek to help. Egmont employs a graduated grant structure to appropriately direct resources and ensure needs are met sustainably while maintaining cost-effective use of our donors’ gifts.

As Partners prove themselves with successful completion of projects they unlock greater funding and move through the grant structure. Investments typically start small – with a one-year project cost of around £15,000.

How does Egmont choose local Partners?

We continually source new projects through our in-country networks, virtual interactions and portfolio referral mechanisms. All applications are funnelled through our online assessment system and followed up by the Egmont Team.

What is important for us is that applicants can demonstrate a deep understanding of the local issues, can evidence a working model with significant results, and are led by people with integrity and vision.

Typically, more than 90% of applicants are unsuccessful due to our rigorous selection criteria.

How does Egmont make sure Partners are helping those most vulnerable?

Egmont Partners are typically based within the communities they seek to help, where the majority of the populace is deeply impacted by HIV and poverty. Because they are from the communities they seek to help, Egmont Partners have deep local linkages and referral networks enabling them to find - or be made aware of - those in significant need or sudden changed circumstances.

Egmont scrutinises selection criteria and processes to ensure that project resources are directed appropriately. The Egmont Team also guides and challenges Partners towards sustainability and exit plans to ensure that those most vulnerable are provided with a hand-up and not a hand-out.

How long does an Egmont partnership last?

Projects are continually assessed through Egmont's monitoring systems to ensure that results are delivered and responses continue to be relevant within the local context. As partnerships continue, organisational development and progression through Egmont's graduated grant structure becomes more heavily weighted in any consideration of future funding. However, what fundamentally drives decision making is the evidence that people continue to be helped in cost effective and relevant ways that build towards permanent change.

Can I visit an Egmont project if I become a supporter?

While we will keep you up to date with project progress and insights, we understand that there is nothing like the real thing and visiting a project and seeing the difference your support has made. Many of the people helped through The Egmont Portfolio are in rural, hard-to-reach communities. We generally don’t encourage donor trips as they require significant coordination and logistics with our local Partners, which takes time away from their projects and their work helping those most vulnerable.

Nevertheless, we do, from time to time, coordinate project site visits for those who have supported us for many years at a significant level.

Still Have Questions?

Get in touch with our Head of Fundraising, Eleanor

Notes from the Field

Local Solution: Keeping girls in school in Tanzania

21 Nov 2025

Local Leaders: Ruth from GCCWG, Kenya

10 Sep 2025

Changed Lives: Tafadzwa