Spur Change 2021 SMO Report

2020 was an unprecedented year for the world and for the international cooperation sector. COVID-19 affected all operational parts of SMOs, but Spur Change commissioned a study to see how SMOs have adapted and shown resilience in the face of this challenge.  By sharing these findings, we hope SMOs find themselves reflected in the stories and draw strength from knowing they are not alone in their struggles.

This report has been produced through a collaboration between Spur Change and a research team at the University of Guelph. It combines quantitative analysis of 128 survey responses and qualitative analysis of 22 semi-structured interviews with participants from Canadian SMOs.

2020 Report
2022 Report
2023 Report
2024 Report

The Report: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on SMO Adaptation and Resilience

Find the full report, as well as the executive summary, to the right. The summary contains a brief overview of the report if you’re only after the major findings.

Webinar Presentation

This year’s SMO Report was released on March 11, 2021 at the Annual Conference: Once Step Back, Two Steps Forward: Human Dignity Post-COVID.

The SMO Report conference session included a panel discussion with Wendy Fehr, CAUSE Canada, Lynn Thorton, VIDEA, and Shawna Novak, CISEPO who spoke about their organization’s experience working through the challenges COVID posed.