What We Do
Read more about Doorways and the services we offer.
What We Do
We see entrepreneurial behavior as a key factor to resolving some of the most pressing challenges the world is facing. Entrepreneurs can impact societies through social and environmental innovation.
We therefore promote entrepreneurship with strategy and business development by implementing and evaluating training programs and add-on interventions that foster entrepreneurial thinking and behavior. In our training programs, we use evidence-based training contents and apply action-oriented training approaches. Research has shown that action-oriented approaches, in which participants learn by doing, outperform other, more conventional and lecture-based training courses. Additionally, we continuously invest in evaluating and improving our training methods and creating new training designs in line with the UN’s SDGs.
Target Groups
Trainings are not a one-size-fits-all solution. In order to be effective, training programs need to be adjusted to address the needs and problems each target group faces. In the past, we have adopted training programs and created new training programs for a diverse set of target groups.
Agripreneurship training programs to foster sustainable growth in rural areas.
Training programs that foster sustainable entrepreneurship to promote business ideas and implementations with a positive impact on society and the environment
Training programs for workers to promote wage employment and decent work conditions
Training programs for students that can be implemented at educational institutions (at various levels)
Training programs that strengthen female entrepreneurship, empower women in business, and address challenges like GBV.
Adaptations of training materials to underprivileged target groups with limited or no access to higher education
Our Services
We offer a multitude of services around the development, adaptation, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based training programs. Learn more about the different services Doorways offers.
Implementation Approach
With each implementation of our training programs, we want to create sustained impact. On the one hand, that means implementing evidence-based programs that have proven to substantially and positively impact participants’ lives. On the other hand, this also means building capacity with local organizations to enable them to deliver our training programs effectively and sustainably – even when we are no longer involved.
Step 1: Understanding
Understanding the target group & creating suitable training materials
We start each project with an analysis of the needs and challenges the particular target group faces. To that end, we typically conduct field visits where our experts conduct interviews with the target group and relevant stakeholders (from both the private and public sector). Upon analyzing the results of these interviews, we start creating or adjusting thetraining materials. Moreover, we make sure that training materials are based on scientific evidence and best practices in training design. Ideally, the adjusted or newly created training materials are then tested in a pilot training program with a small but representative sample from the target group.
Step 2: Building capacity
Building capacity on the ground through training-of-trainers (ToT) workshops
Upon having developed the training materials, we train local trainers on the ground. In one to two-week ToT workshops, our master trainers capacitate local trainers to effectively conduct the training program for the target group. Within these training-of-trainers workshops, the trainers learn about the methodology of the training, simulate it, and receive feedback. This way, we are using an action-oriented approach to training the trainers. In addition to the training-of-trainers workshop, we also prepare our local partner organization for the critical aspects for the implementation. Depending on previous experience with (entrepreneurship) training.
Step 3: Implementation
Supporting the Training Implementation
We support our local partners with our experience from having supervised training program implementations across multiple countries and continents and for various target groups. Our level of support depends on the specific needs of the local partners and project demands.
Our Projects
