The partners and courageous activists we are privileged to work with will continue to inspire me for years to come.

A promising phase

I am confident that this was the best moment to leave. Hivos finds itself at the beginning of a promising phase. We are following a new Strategic Compass that resonates well with Hivos’ staff, partners and donors. Hivos now has a tighter thematic scope, stronger organizational structure, and has started implementing important new programs.

I believe our strategic course is exactly right and that Hivos has the potential to become a frontrunner in adopting a “move the middle” strategy for change and in advancing local ownership in our sector. That also calls for a new composition of the Executive Board.

Connecting people

I’m proud to have done my part in helping connect people and organizations that fight for social and environmental justice. And I’m convinced the lessons I have learned at Hivos will enable me to keep doing this in my future endeavors.

In addition to the dedicated and creative colleagues at Hivos’ offices around the world, our partners and the courageous activists we are privileged to work with will continue to inspire me for years to come. We all share the conviction that societies should be fair, just and life-sustaining, and that the ingenuity and creativity of all individuals plays a decisive role in achieving that.

Hivos’ Supervisory Council, under the leadership of our chair Diana Monissen, has started the process of finding my successor. In the meantime, Chief Operations Officer Michel Farkas will take on the role as acting Executive Director. Together with the Management Team, he will ensure organizational continuity and a smooth transition to a new Executive Board.

I am deeply grateful for your support for Hivos and for all your valuable contributions over the last eight years. I hope to meet many of you again in the future.

All the best,

Edwin Huizing
Executive Director Hivos