This initiative, from ABN AMRO Dialogues, focuses not on the best practices from a range of different organisations but on their most brilliant failures, since failure is an option.

"It is better to aim too high and fail, than to aim too low and succeed". With this thought in mind, around 30 representatives from the development sector in The Netherlands gathered on the 22 October in the Dialogues House in Amsterdam. Co-hosted by SPARK and the Institute for Brilliant Mistakes, the event "Good intentions, Brilliant mistakes", drew attention to the habit of social entrepreneurs to overlook their failures and instead focus on their golden successes. Mistakes, however, deliver a valuable  contribution to greater transparency in the development sector. They can emphasize flawed procedures and ensure that the learning curve of organisations moves upward. Reflection is key in this process.

This event created a fruitful start to draw greater attention to transparency and learning in the sector. Presentations were held by Adri Kemps from quality insurer CBF, Monique Bijsterveld from sector organisation VFI, Wim Jacobs from the donor Postcode Loterij and Maarten Brouwer from the Ministry of Development Cooperation. All participants emphasized the need for greater transparency and quality in the sector and welcomed the initiative to engage with each other on a more frequent basis.

In stimulating discussions, the changes needed on an organisational, governmental and public level were discussed.  The result of this engaging afternoon lead to key guidelines for the future:  

• Openness and transparency should be key competence of the non-profit sector, for example through exemplary behavior of government and an annual "Brilliant Mistakes Award'
• Ensure that organisations are aware of the general public they involve in their mission and aims
• Remove the expectation gap between stakeholders in the non-profit sector
• No more fear! Dare to experiment
• Distinguish between the communication of an objective and the instruments for measuring its impact
• Make available a budget for innovation and learning in the development projects
• Develop "communities of practice" to be able to learn from each other's experience

The participants signed a Manifesto at the end of the day incorporating these guidelines. Together they committed to placing transparency and quality higher on the agenda. The Manifesto can be seen here (in Dutch only).

For more information check www.briljantemislukkingen.nl.