Devex: Shaping the Landscape of Global Development Media
Founded at the turn of the millennium, Devex has evolved from a visionary project into a central hub for the global development community. The organization was established by Raj Kumar in 2000 while he was pursuing a master's degree at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Kumar, who had previously co-founded and sold the digital financial newsletter Smartportfolio.com to TheStreet.com, launched Devex with a specific mission: to reduce administrative costs for donor agencies, allowing them to allocate more resources directly to foreign-assistance projects.
Key Facts
- Founded: 2000 by Raj Kumar.
- Core Mission: Lowering administrative overhead for donor agencies to maximize foreign aid impact.
- Key Offerings: Daily newswire, annual forums, and specialized partnership tools.
- Major Partnerships: Collaborations with USAID, the U.N. Foundation, and Foreign Affairs.
- Global Reach: Forums hosted in Washington DC, East Asia, and East Africa.
Evolution of Media and Networking
By 2008, Devex significantly expanded its media capabilities. By hiring a global network of freelancers and dozens of full-time reporters, the organization established a daily newswire. This service provides critical coverage of global development news, emerging sector trends, and expert analysis from leading voices in the field.
The Devex Forum
Also in 2008, the organization launched the Devex Forum. This annual two-day conference serves as a high-level exchange for expertise and information, bringing together international corporations, NGOs, and government donor agencies. To maintain a global perspective, these forums are held annually in Washington DC, East Africa, and East Asia.
Devex Impact
In 2013, Devex partnered with USAID (the United States Agency for International Development) to launch Devex Impact. This initiative provides essential tools, news, and partnership information for professionals working at the intersection of business and global development, including implementers, recipient governments, and donors.
Advocacy, Reporting, and Social Impact
Beyond news delivery, Devex has used its platform to highlight influential figures and systemic issues within the aid industry. In 2016, the organization released the #PowerwithPurpose list, featuring five influential women, including Nigeria's former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. That same year, Devex collaborated with the U.N. Foundation and Foreign Affairs to host the Global Beat 2016 event during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The organization has also demonstrated a commitment to investigative journalism and social accountability. In 2017, a Devex report regarding a USAID contract—the largest ever awarded by the agency—revealed problems that threatened access to health commodities, eventually triggering a congressional hearing nine months later. Furthermore, in response to the #MeToo movement, Devex hosted the #AidToo Twitter chat to bring visibility to survivors of sexual assault and abuse within the humanitarian aid sector.
Recent Developments and Pandemic Coverage
In February 2020, Devex hosted the "Prescription for Progress" health technology conference. This event served as the platform for the Rockefeller Foundation and Medic Mobile to announce the Medic Labs initiative. Additionally, the organization hosted Ambassador Deborah Birx to discuss potential budget cuts to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Devex provided critical breaking news, including the first report on March 20, 2020, regarding the layoff of one-third of the staff at the NGO Oxfam. On May 22, 2020, Devex revealed a U.S. Department of State proposal for "The President’s Response to Outbreaks," a global health security initiative designed to centralize pandemic preparedness and funding under a State Department coordinator.
The organization's content has also reached mainstream viral attention. On June 6, 2020, J.K. Rowling tweeted a Devex opinion piece to criticize the phrase "people who menstruate" in favor of "women," sparking a global conversation involving LGBT rights groups and actors from the Harry Potter films.
Devex Organizational Summary
| Year | Initiative/Event | Key Focus/Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Foundation | Reducing donor agency administrative costs. |
| 2008 | Media Expansion & Forum | Launched daily newswire and annual global conferences. |
| 2013 | Devex Impact | Partnership tools for business and global development. |
| 2017 | Investigative Reporting | USAID contract report leading to congressional hearing. |
| 2020 | Pandemic Reporting | Coverage of Oxfam layoffs and U.S. health security proposals. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Devex and why?
Devex was founded in 2000 by Raj Kumar. His goal was to lower the administrative costs of donor agencies so that a larger portion of their resources could be dedicated to actual foreign-assistance projects.
What is the Devex Forum?
The Devex Forum is an annual two-day conference held in Washington DC, East Asia, and East Africa. It allows NGOs, international corporations, and government donor agencies to exchange expertise and information.
What is Devex Impact?
Launched in 2013 in partnership with USAID, Devex Impact is a platform providing news, tools, and partnership information for those working where business and global development intersect.
How has Devex influenced government policy?
In 2017, Devex reported on issues surrounding the largest-ever USAID contract, which put health commodities at risk. This reporting directly led to a congressional hearing nine months later.
What role did Devex play during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Devex provided early reporting on significant industry shifts, including the layoffs at Oxfam and the U.S. Department of State's proposal for a new global health security initiative called "The President’s Response to Outbreaks."