About DWF
History & Structure
Development Workshop was founded in 1973 in England, to address the issues of human settlement and shelter development in third world countries and less developed communities, and based on the belief that a collaboration between professionals and the inhabitants of poor communities can viably contribute to a sustainable improvement in living conditions, through the use of local resources where possible and the enhancement of local skills.
training in Mopti, Mali
An early collaboration with Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy in Egypt, Lebanon and Oman provided a source of encouragement and inspiration.
In 1976, DW produced the showed the exhibition “Indigenous Building and the Third World” in Tehran, Iran and at the first UN Habitat conference in Vancouver, Canada, outlining lessons that can be learnt from indigenous practice to meet contemporary needs. That vision remains pertinent in the face of today's increasing globalisation.
Evolution
Founding members remain at the heart of DW, but the group has evolved to reflect its geographical spread and regional context. Today DW comprises several autonomous organisations (DW France, DW Angola, DW Canada, DW Burkina Faso) each with their own national registration, programmes and financial structure, but sharing a common vision and providing a pool of skills on which each can draw.
DWF itself maintains regional offices in Burkina Faso and Viet Nam as well as its head office in France. DWF supports the enhancement of local organisations and is committed to helping them access donor support and develop their own programmes.
Structure
DWF is governed by a Board elected by its members, who meet at least annually to vote on activity and financial reports for each year. Projects and accounts are subject to independent evaluation and audit respectively. DWF maintains a small permanent core staff, with expert inputs as required to provide support to local programme teams.
DWF is funded on a project by project basis by national and international development agencies and non-governmental organisations.