Background
Development Catalyst International (DCI), formerly known as “Change Thru Empowerment,” is a distinguished international development company headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Established in 1989 as a Community Based Organization, DCI swiftly transitioned into a provincial-level entity before expanding its reach to the national and international levels. Our journey of growth and evolution underscores our unwavering commitment to addressing global challenges through collaboration and diversity.
At DCI, we firmly believe in the transformative power of diversity and partnerships. Guided by the timeless wisdom of an African proverb—”If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”—we collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders, including community-based organizations, civil society groups, government bodies, the private sector, local entities, and international development agencies. Together, we work tirelessly to improve education, governance, economic conditions, and to respond effectively to humanitarian crises.
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the timely and reliable services we provide, which include capacity development trainings adhering to international standards. Upholding our core values of respect for diversities, transparency, accountability, dignity, and result-oriented approaches, we ensure that our practices consistently align with our principles.
DCI’s focus extends to building inclusive educational systems, fostering sustainable economic growth, promoting free and fair elections, advancing good governance practices, engaging youth, and offering innovative ICT solutions to address community and economic development challenges exacerbated by governance inefficiencies and instability. Our team of experts possesses unique skills and deep understanding of international best practices, ensuring that our interventions are informed by evidence-based approaches and tailored to meet the specific needs of the communities we serve.
Our Expertise
DCI excels in providing consulting services tailored for public sector clients, including development partners and donors, with a particular focus on transition and developing countries. Our approach to development activities is rooted in decades of hands-on community-based work, augmented by rigorous research and the implementation of established best practices. This holistic approach has consistently yielded positive outcomes for the communities we serve.
At the helm of DCI’s leadership are four partners, each bringing a wealth of diverse technical and geographic experience to the table. This collective expertise empowers our organization to deliver impactful solutions across a broad spectrum of domains, including education, research, assessment, monitoring & evaluation, electoral reforms, governance, economic growth, youth empowerment, humanitarian assistance, ICT for development, financial management, and capacity development.
In the realm of ICT solutions, DCI adopts a comprehensive approach aimed at creating an ecosystem conducive to the application and adoption of technology. Collaborating closely with the private sector and international development agencies, we develop educational content, tools, mobile apps, and software. Additionally, we provide training to educators on effectively integrating technology tools into pedagogical practices.
Our suite of ICT solutions encompasses a wide range of applications, including research studies, rapid assessments, surveys, and monitoring and evaluation needs. By leveraging technology, we enhance efficiency, accuracy, facilitate rapid analysis, and enable timely reporting—particularly in the education sector, spanning both developmental and emergency contexts. Embracing a context-driven approach, we ensure that our ICT solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each community we serve.