How we work

cbm supports over 700 local partners in developing countries in the development and implementation of programmes. Capacity building of these partners has a long-lasting effect, contributing to sustainability.

Partner Development: A Step Towards Sustainability

cbm needs partners to fulfil its mandate. Therefore, able partners are continually being identified who share cbm’s values and priorities. In all fields of work, new partnerships are being established.

cbm Cooperates With Three Types Of Partners:

• Implementing partners: Development and implementation of programmes.
• Policy partners: Lobbying and advocacy for the integration of disability issues into government policies.
• Alliance partners: Promotion of policies as well as knowledge transfer to partners in developing countries.

Capacity Building of Implementing Partners

Implementing partners—whether church, nongovernmental organisations, disabled person’s organisations, or governments—are supported by cbm in a comprehensive way, in terms of:

Finance, management, and administration;
Human resource development;
Project organisation and total quality management;
Local fundraising techniques;
Networking, advocacy, and lobbying skills; and
Technical skills.

Partner enablement and capacity building take time and effort. Both contribute to a sense of ownership within the communities. The aim is that people do not remain dependent on foreign aid and funds, but that they will gradually be able to rely on their own resources.

Future Partnership Strategies

Because the need is great and not enough services for people with disabilities exist, cbm has recently developed a strategy to link key partners with smaller partners. These networks are able to address the whole range of disabilities within a region and implement programmes in conformity with the Millennium Development Goals. In addition, networks can work more efficiently and are able to effect sustainable development in wider regions. Thus, South-South relations are going to be established, contributing to the empowerment of people with disabilities in developing countries.

Regional Offices: Individual Support for cbm's Partners

The 12 regional offices of cbm play a key role in the capacity building of partners.

cbm has established regional offices in Thailand, the Philippines, India (2), Kenya (2), Ethiopia, South Africa, Togo, Ecuador, Mexico, and Germany.

Each regional office is responsible for the provision of services to partners in several countries. In addition to the services mentioned above, the regional offices create networks among partners and stakeholders of cbm.

Networks between the partners and stakeholders are necessary to

Provide an infrastructure of medical, educational, and rehabilitative services for people with disabilities in developing countries;

Speak with a strong voice to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and lobby governments to develop national plans concerning disability matters; and
Implement international campaigns with respect to disability mainstreaming and inclusion of people with disabilities, both to public services meant for everyone and to their societies in general.

Monitoring our partners

Ensuring quality services are being provided is essential to achieving our objectives. The following mechanisms help cbm to assess the development of their partner organisations:

Narrative monitoring report about implemented activities and fulfilled targets.
Review of quantitative statistics.
Regular financial reports.
Annual audit of accounts by an independent auditor accepted by cbm.
Regular project visits by regional directors, staff of cbm’s regional offices, or cbm’s professional advisors.
Evaluation of selected project activities: An evaluation of every project is scheduled subsequent to the fulfillment of to 5-year plans.

International Experts Serve as Advisors for cbm

Ten advisory working groups provide consultancy services to cbm when it comes to the development of programmes and policies in the different fields of work. The experts make sure that the latest findings in medical sciences and development policies are incorporated into the programme work and that knowledge and training are transferred to cbm's partners throughout the globe. cbm works together with about 50 advisors—on global, regional, and national levels.

Their duties are to:

Develop and revise policy papers covering all of cbm's fields of work.
Develop technical papers that are complementary to the policies. These papers are more context-specific, hands-on, and practical-oriented, whereas the policies give the framework.
Visit projects to give advice to partners and staff.
Represent cbm at international forums, congresses, and conferences.

In this way, cbm aims to ensure the quality of services that are delivered by its partners. Quality management is important to cbm to meet the needs and rights of people with disabilities in the best way possible.


Blindness	Orthopaedics	Deafness	Community	Emergencies	Rehabilitation

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