Why
Adaptive
Matters?
A World in Flux
Global conflicts are at their highest level since 1945, and the environment is facing unprecedented challenges. Traditional development models are evolving, with the lines between ‘development,’ ‘humanitarian,’ and ‘peacebuilding’ increasingly blurred.
Evolving Development
Today’s world demands a more integrated approach. We focus on risk-awareness, climate adaptation, and conflict sensitivity, prioritizing local insights over distant interventions.
Adaptation at Our Core
In a world of constant change, our mission is to remain agile, anticipate shifts, and make decisions that drive real impact.
About
Adaptive Matters provides consulting services to non-profit organizations, governments, and UN agencies, offering strategic support in development, humanitarian action, and peacebuilding. Led by Beatrice Progida, who brings over 26 years of expertise in these fields, the firm collaborates with a network of seasoned experts to deliver tailored, high-impact solutions. Our approach combines deep sector knowledge with adaptive strategies to help organizations navigate complexity, enhance resilience, and drive meaningful change.
Beatrice Progida
Beatrice’s career began in 1997 at the EU Institutions, where she developed a strong foundation in policy and international relations. She then spent a decade at UNICEF, contributing in various leadership roles focused on program management, emergency preparedness, and donor relations. Since 2011, she has been an independent consultant, collaborating with leading organizations in program management, lead evaluation, and knowledge advisory, with a focus on humanitarian action, disaster risk reduction, and development.
Our associates
Yoanna-Maria El-Najjar
Transitioning from Psychomotor therapy to Criminology and Psychology, Yoanna’s journey has been varied. Her engagements include youth development initiatives and consultancy roles with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
Frederick Spielberg
Frederick’s three-decade journey involves working closely with UN agencies, NGOs, and foundations across continents. His recent contributions include hurricane preparedness training and response coordination for humanitarian crises.
Dr. Sakah Bernard Nsaidzedzedze
Bernard, with his experience in peacebuilding and civil society initiatives, has collaborated with organizations like UNICEF and UNESCO, focusing on conflict-ridden areas in Africa.
Abdoul Karim Sow
From assignments in South Sudan to collaborations in the Central African Republic, Abdoul’s focus has been on information management and assessments, enhancing the efficiency of various projects.
Our
Work
At Adaptive Matters, we drive innovative solutions by integrating disciplines such as strategic planning, risk management, and donor relations with hands-on expertise. With over 25 years of experience, our focus includes emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation.
Experience
Adaptive Matters provides consulting services to non-profit organizations, governments, and UN agencies, offering strategic support in development, humanitarian action, and peacebuilding. Led by Beatrice Progida, who brings over 28 years of expertise in these fields, the firm collaborates with a network of seasoned experts to deliver tailored, high-impact solutions. Our approach combines deep sector knowledge with adaptive strategies to help organizations navigate complexity, enhance resilience, and drive meaningful change.
Emergency Preparedness
& Response
Anticipatory Action in the Pacific: Senior Advisor for the Australian Humanitarian Partnership, leading the design of a new Anticipatory Action Fund in the Pacific and Papua New Guinea.
2023
Anticipatory Action Trial Design: Senior Advisor to the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, leading the design of an Anticipatory Action Trial.
2023
Haitian Disaster Management/World Bank: Provided strategic support to the Haitian National Disaster Management Authority, helping prepare for hurricane season by integrating COVID-19 measures into the national disaster response guidance, in collaboration with the World Bank.
2020-2021
Epidemic Preparedness at IFRC: As Senior Consultant for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), developed epidemic preparedness guidance for National Societies and offered planning support to high-risk countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, and Indonesia. 2017-2028
IFRC’s Global Preparedness System: Designed the global preparedness system for IFRC, which led to the creation of the Preparedness for Effective Response system. 2015-2016
Support to Changing Migration Corridors: Provided emergency management consultancy to UNICEF’s Bulgaria, Albania, and Kosovo Country Offices in anticipation of migrant and refugee influxes.
2015
Development of IASC Training: Led the development and regional testing of the training package on IASC Emergency Response Preparedness, in coordination with multiple UN entities.
2015
Strategic Development
& Organizational Resilience
Climate Facility for Children, West Africa: AdaptiveMatters is supporting UNICEF in designing a new initiative that connects major institutional and financial partners to advance child-centered climate adaptation in the region. 2025
CADRI Partnership Joint Programme 2024-2030: designed the multi-year programme, plan of action and financial projections for this multi-agency initiative facilitated by UNDP.
2023- 2024
Adaptive Peace Programme for Burkina Faso: In collaboration with Swisspeace, Adaptive Matters co-designed a new donor initiative aimed at strengthening Burkina Faso’s local peace infrastructure. The program focused on bolstering civil society capacities and amplifying endogenous peace initiatives, with a budget of approximately $10M USD.
2022–2023
Lake Chad Basin Civil Society Programme at iMMAP: Designed and managed a cross-cutting program that bridged humanitarian, development, and peace efforts. The UNDP-led program established an information management system to enhance the capacities of civil society organizations across the Lake Chad Basin Region.
2021–2022
Green Climate Fund Organizational Development: Assessed the Green Climate Fund’s response to COVID-19 and provided recommendations for enhancing organizational resilience.
2020–2021
NorCap Strategy Design: Facilitated Senior Management decision making for the new NorCap’s strategy.
2021
Resolve to Save Lives: Co-designed an investment strategy for pandemic and epidemic preparedness in selected African countries.
2019–2020
Research, Evaluation
& Knowledge Management
Assessment of Sida’s Strategic Partnership for Humanitarian Assistance: Beatrice Progida is part of the assessment team managed by Niras. 2025
Evaluation of UNICEF’s Emergency Preparedness System: Beatrice Progida is part of the evaluation team carrying out the evaluation of UNICEF’s global preparedness system.
2024-2025
Evaluation of Sendai Framework Implementation: Served as Senior Researcher at the Overseas Development Institute/UNDP, evaluating the implementation of the Sendai Framework in seven Sahelian countries.
2020–2021
Evaluative Review of IASC’ ProCap and GenCap Projects: Led the impact evaluation and re-design of the IASC ProCap and GenCap Projects, in collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council and UNOCHA. | 2018–2020
Special Advisor for UNITAR: Contributed as Special Advisor for UNITAR in Knowledge Management for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Services.
2016–2017
Global Report Development: Developed the UN Progress Report on the UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for Resilience.
2015–2016
Contact
We are happy to answer any queries at
info@adaptivematters.org
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CONSULTING
FOR THE
NON-PROFIT
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