Yvonne Orengo is a freelance development communications practitioner focused on the use of media (primarily radio and video) as a tool for empowerment, local development and good governance. With over twenty years of experience in overseas development and the third sector, including management of front line development projects in fragile and complex environments, Yvonne offers a range of services from project inception, design and strategic planning through to implementation of full project cycle including evaluation, as well as scaling up and sustainability solutions. She has consulted for UN agencies, USAID, BBC Media Action, SIDA and CARE international.
With extensive experience as the Director of a small British NGO, the Andrew Lees Trust, Yvonne is committed to local ownership of development in the global south: she successfully transitioned her local team in Madagascar through a responsible exit process to become a local NGO with sovereign identify and leadership. She has supported the growth and development of this Malagasy agency, Andry Lalana Tohana, with mentoring and accompaniment and, in 2019, celebrates ten successful years of the Malagasy team’s independence to become a local leader in C4D and food security.
As with the responsible exit process (above), Yvonne is particularly focused on power relations within the development scenario, and issues related to social and environmental justice. Yvonne’s most recent work has focused on advocacy for mine- affected communities. This has involved substantial research collaboration with scientists, activists, lawyers and other professional advisors, as well as a substantial engagement process with executives in the mining company. Leading the process of inquiryover more than two years, the advocacy campaign she developed has precipitated admissions and commitments from the multinational mining corporation towards remedial actions and improved practices.