What we do

We collaborate closely with foundations, philanthropists, businesses, development partners and NGOs to unlock their full potential as catalysts for positive social change.
   

At Catalytica, we bring decades of hands-on experience as grant-makers, policy advisors, and nonprofit leaders. Based across Europe and Africa, we build bridges and foster mutual understanding and trust among diverse actors and cultures. Our team brings thematic, methodological and regional expertise, delivering tailored solutions that meet our partners’ unique needs. 

Catalytica works globally. We have a long-standing expertise, network and presence in Europe and West Africa.

Facilitating and contributing to informed strategy formulation

We support our partners in designing impactful strategies, by facilitating strategy development processes, harnessing stakeholder and beneficiary perspectives, and understanding the ecosystem and their unique role within it.

Examples of our work: 

  • Produced for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) a landscape analysis of African philanthropy and businesses supporting education on the continent and advised the GPE on options for strategic engagement with these actors.  
  • Advised the Government of Côte d’Ivoire on reorienting the National Child Labor Monitoring System to align with the new EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
  • Supported global cocoa and chocolate companies in refining their sustainability strategies by strengthening the focus on child rights and protection at community level.  

Advising on robust program design and leading effective implementation

We support our partners in bringing their strategies to life, whether through leading or advising on program design, identifying evidence-based solutions to ensure impact, or selecting and managing the best on-he-ground organisations. We help build and nurture strong relationships with governments, development partners, and other important stakeholders in our clients’ focus countries, ensuring the successful implementation of their programs and initiatives.  

 

Examples of our work:

  • Successfully managed the Jacobs Foundation’s portfolio of activities in Côte d’Ivoire, ensuring alignment with national priorities. 
  • Thoroughly assessed research applications for the mc2h Foundation to select the most promising for funding.   

Developing impactful partnerships and managing collaborative efforts

We are genuinely passionate about building collaborations and partnerships as they provide a unique opportunity to scale impact and foster systemic change. Drawing on our diverse expertise, we help leaders and teams navigate the mindset shifts and change processes essential for effective collaboration. We support organisations draft and negotiate partnership agreements, as well as establish governance mechanisms that align with the partnership’s specific character and objectives. Additionally, we offer comprehensive secretariat services for multistakeholder partnerships with pooled funding facilities. These services include developing action plans, overseeing financed activities, fundraising with potential partners, coordinating governance meetings, curating external communications, maintaining fiduciary responsibility, and ensuring accountability.

 

Examples of our work: 

  •  Set up and support the Child Learning and Education Facility (CLEF), a unique cross-sector partnership dedicated to enhancing access to quality education in cocoa-growing regions of Côte d’Ivoire. CLEF is led by the Ivorian Government in collaboration with 16 global cocoa and chocolate companies, as well as two major philanthropic foundations.
  • Facilitated the establishment of a funders’ coalition promoted by ClimaNow and theVolkart Foundation, focusing on advancing policy initiatives in the climate sector in Switzerland. 

Guiding insightful learning journeys

Learning from both successes and challenges in implementing programs and initiatives to address complex social issues is key to improving and achieving better results. We advise our clients on monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks, support reflective learning, and facilitate learning workshops. Additionally, we conduct qualitative assessments of processes and partnerships. 

 

Examples of our work:

  • Conducted a comprehensive assessment on behalf of the Global Partnership of Education (GPE) of their grant agent selection process at country level. This assessment focused on gathering stakeholder insights, identifying dysfunctions, and providing actionable recommendations for process improvements. 
  • As one of Porticus’ learning and facilitation partners, we are co-creating strategies with their international education partners to advance the field of Social and Emotional Learning assessment and measurement and ultimately enhance education for children in extreme adversity.    

Providing interim and part-time leadership at critical junctures

We support foundations and nonprofits by filing interim or part-time executive roles, such as CEO, COO, or Program/Partnership Director, guiding our clients with confidence and competence through their organisation’s establishment, transition, or consolidation.

 

 

Example of our work:

  • Our Co-CEO Olaf Hahn serves as the Director of the HundrED Foundation, an organisation dedicated to identifying, amplifying and scaling education innovation globally.