Responsible Business

Helping business responsibly pursue their ESG commitments

The sphere of responsibility assigned to businesses continues to extend beyond their core operations and premises and out into the community, influenced by multiple factors, including the growth of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations, and shareholder and consumer activism.

The new frontier of what it means to be a responsible business requires companies to drive meaningful impact and local prosperity in the communities and environments where they operate.

We believe the private sector can meet this challenge and deliver growth by developing inclusive supply chains, fit-for-purpose corporate social investments, and data-driven strategy and program design.

We help our clients move beyond regulatory compliance to position themselves as leaders in responsible business, whether that be by expanding access to green finance, incentivizing communities to protect their natural capital, or designing workforce health programs.

We support businesses on their path to sustainability through the full lifecycle of their projects, from strategy to impact evaluation

DAI provides a comprehensive suite of solutions that move our clients from strategy development and feasibility assessment through to piloting, implementation at scale, and impact evaluation. Our capabilities include social investment strategy development; program implementation and development of local partner capacity; reporting, monitoring, and evaluation; and application of bespoke digital tools. Our expertise includes worker and community wellbeing, local prosperity and entrepreneurship, circular economy, and natural capital solutions.

Case Studies

Supporting the delivery of the Local Adaptation Champions Awards

DAI is supporting the delivery of the Local Adaptation Champions Awards through a range of activities including conceptualizing the Awards process; developing the Awards criteria and material required for the submission of entries; developing a global outreach and publicity plan; building an applications portal; managing the receipt of applications; managing the shortlisting process; and organizing a high-level Awards ceremony at COP27, Egypt.

Improving the Health of Female Workers at Global Apparel Company’s Factories

DAI was commissioned by VF Corporation—one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear, and accessories companies—to help develop and implement a health program for a majority-female workforce.

The program focuses on maternal and newborn health (MNH), family planning, sexual and gender-based violence, and COVID-19. It strengthens MNH services in factory clinics, increases staff and worker MNH knowledge, and improves referral pathways so workers can receive more advanced treatment. Delivered in 10 VF Corporation factories across Java, Indonesia, the program will reach 18,500 employees by the end of 2022.

Solving Ghana’s Key Development Challenges through Program Design and Implementation

DAI designed, launched, and implemented the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) program in Ghana to advance locally led, market-driven solutions to some of the country’s key challenges. Kosmos Energy’s flagship social investment program in Ghana, KIC supports businesses across the entrepreneurship lifecycle, including enterprise capacity building, personnel recruitment and management, stakeholder engagement, and investment due diligence:

500+ young leaders trained in business
343 direct jobs created
$410,000 in seed funding awarded by Kosmos
30 agritech start-ups created, 16 of which were in incubation in 2020

Development and Implementation of Award-Winning STEAM Education Program

In Oman, DAI partnered with Eshraqa—the social development of arm of Khimji Ramdas, one of the Sultanate’s leading business conglomerates—to deliver stemazone as its flagship corporate social responsibility program.

The stemazone initiative serves children across the country and inspires young Omanis to enter STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) fields and set them on the STEAM pathway from an early age, which studies show is critical to building a skilled workforce.

Practice Leaders

Bhairav Raja

Director, Sustainable Business Group

Designs solutions that promote access to green financial services, brokers natural capital solutions, and designs programs in climate finance.

Zaki Raheem

Technical Director, Sustainable Business Group

Designs best-in-class programs in social performance that promote the development of inclusive supply chains.

DAI History: 40 Years of Excellence

DAI was founded in 1970 by three graduates of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government intent on providing a more dynamic and effective brand of development assistance. See how DAI is turning this American success story, into a global one.