About CDG
Advancing equity, human rights, dignity, and opportunity
CDG is a nonprofit organization advancing equity, human rights, dignity, and opportunity in resource-constrained communities. Lasting change is strongest when communities shape the solutions and have the capacity to sustain them.
Work with CDG
Built with communities
Who we are
A nonprofit committed to lasting change
Collaborative Development Group, Inc. (CDG) is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing equity, human rights, dignity, and opportunity in resource-constrained communities. Drawing on more than 20 years of combined leadership experience, CDG brings expertise in women and girls' empowerment, human rights, education, health, economic opportunity, community development, institutional strengthening, and strategic partnerships. We work with communities and local institutions to strengthen capacity, expand opportunity, and develop practical solutions that contribute to healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.
With communities, not simply for them
Sustainable change is achieved with communities, not simply for communities.
Who we serve
People and communities facing constrained opportunity
CDG serves women and girls, children and youth, families, marginalized and underserved populations, economically vulnerable individuals, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs in resource-constrained communities. Our work responds to challenges affecting human dignity, safety, health, education, economic security, and access to opportunity, with solutions informed by local priorities and community realities.
Children and youth
Families
Marginalized and underserved populations
Economically vulnerable individuals
Students and aspiring entrepreneurs
Our mission
Equity, human rights, and dignity
Our mission is to advance equity, human rights, and dignity for women and girls in resource-constrained communities by promoting gender equality, preventing and addressing violence, and expanding access to education, economic opportunity, health education, and quality healthcare. Through community-driven solutions and strategic partnerships, CDG supports women and girls in building safe, healthy, empowered, and economically secure lives, while strengthening families and communities.
Our approach
Sustainable change is strongest when communities help define it
CDG believes sustainable progress is achieved with communities, not simply for communities. We emphasize community ownership, human rights and equity, local capacity, strategic collaboration, practical solutions, and measurable results. We seek to strengthen the people and institutions that can sustain progress beyond individual programs or interventions.
Our mission
Our mission is to advance equity, human rights, and dignity for women and girls in resource-constrained communities by promoting gender equality, preventing and addressing violence, and expanding access to education, economic opportunity, health education, and quality healthcare. Through community-driven solutions and strategic partnerships, CDG supports women and girls in building safe, healthy, empowered, and economically secure lives, while strengthening families and communities.
Our vision
A future where vulnerable women and girls in resource-constrained communities possess total autonomy and human rights literacy, enabling them to lead healthy lives, complete quality education, and drive regional economic development as independent leaders.
Our values
Equity, Dignity, Respect, Integrity, and Accountability guide every program and partnership.
How we work
An approach grounded in local ownership
CDG believes sustainable progress is achieved with communities, not simply for communities. We emphasize community ownership, human rights and equity, local capacity, strategic collaboration, practical solutions, and measurable results. We seek to strengthen the people and institutions that can sustain progress beyond individual programs or interventions.
Community ownership
We engage communities as active partners in defining priorities and shaping solutions.
Human rights and equity
We center dignity, equality, inclusion, participation, and protection in our work.
Local capacity strengthening
We equip individuals and institutions with the knowledge, skills, systems, and tools needed to lead and sustain progress.
Strategic collaboration
We connect government, civil society, communities, schools, and development partners around shared objectives.
Evidence-informed practice
We apply practical knowledge, experience, and relevant evidence to strengthen the effectiveness of our work.
Sustainability and results
We focus on measurable outcomes, responsible stewardship, and solutions capable of creating lasting impact.
Our values
Principles that guide how we work
Equity, dignity, respect, integrity, and accountability shape every CDG program, partnership, and public claim.
Equity
We believe every person should have a fair opportunity to live with dignity, access essential services, realize their potential, and participate fully in society. We work to address barriers and inequalities that limit opportunity, particularly for women, girls, children, and underserved communities.
Dignity
We recognize and uphold the inherent worth, rights, autonomy, and voice of every individual. We treat the people and communities we serve as valued partners and promote their meaningful participation in decisions that affect their lives.
Respect
We value the knowledge, cultures, perspectives, experiences, and choices of the individuals and communities with whom we work. We listen openly, embrace diverse perspectives, and foster relationships built on trust, collaboration, and mutual understanding.
Integrity
We conduct ourselves with honesty, transparency, fairness, and professionalism in all that we do. We safeguard the trust placed in us by the communities we serve, our partners, donors, and stakeholders, and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.
Accountability
We take responsibility for our decisions, actions, resources, and results. We monitor our performance, learn from experience, and remain accountable to the people and communities we serve, as well as to our partners, donors, and stakeholders.
Partnerships
Collaboration across institutions and communities
CDG seeks meaningful partnerships with government ministries and agencies, local authorities, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, schools, foundations, development institutions, and other strategic partners. We may support partners through technical assistance, training, capacity strengthening, organizational development, community education, and practical tools and resources.
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Technical assistance and advisory services
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Training, conferences, workshops, and seminars
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Organizational and institutional capacity strengthening
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Community education and awareness
Equity. Human Rights. Dignity. Opportunity. Sustainable Change.