TED: What happens when an NGO admits failure | David Damberger

The video discusses the challenges and failures in the aid industry, particularly in Malawi, where water access projects often fail due to lack of maintenance. Engineers Without Borders (EWB) emphasizes the importance of understanding local needs and the software side of development. The video highlights the need for accountability and innovation in the development sector, advocating for a cultural shift towards admitting and learning from failures. EWB's experience shows that focusing on sustainable solutions and transparency can lead to more effective aid.

What was the primary goal of Engineers Without Borders when it was founded?

• To provide fresh water access to Malawi

• To develop new software technologies

• To increase the speed of photocopiers

• To build schools in Canada

What is a major issue with the aid system in stable African countries like Malawi?

• Lack of initial funding

• Corrupt dictators

• Inadequate maintenance and planning

• Civil unrest

Why do many aid projects fail to sustain their impact over time?

• They focus too much on hardware and not enough on maintenance

• They are too expensive to implement

• They are not needed by the local communities

• They are only funded by private donors

What is a suggested solution to improve the accountability of aid projects?

• Focus solely on hardware solutions

• Invest in local private and public sectors

• Increase the number of donors

• Reduce the number of projects

What personal experience did the speaker share about failure in development projects?

• Building a successful water system in India

• Creating a successful business in Africa

• Failing to maintain rainwater harvesting systems

• Developing a new software for schools

How did Engineers Without Borders change their approach after learning from failures?

• They stopped working in Africa

• They focused on building more hardware

• They increased their funding for new projects

• They shifted to creating spreadsheets and focusing on software

What is the purpose of publishing failure reports according to the speaker?

• To reduce the number of projects

• To attract more donors

• To highlight successful projects

• To share lessons learned and prevent repeated mistakes

What is the significance of the website 'admittingfailure.com'?

• It is a platform for sharing successful projects

• It is a social media site for engineers

• It is a marketplace for fair trade goods

• It is a space for organizations to share and discuss their failures

What lesson can be learned from the two companies that dealt with failure differently?

• Success is guaranteed if failure is admitted

• Failure should be kept secret

• Ignoring failure is the best strategy

• Admitting failure publicly can lead to better outcomes

What question does the speaker pose about the effectiveness of aid?

• Has aid succeeded in all its goals?

• Should aid be stopped completely?

• Has aid failed enough to learn from it?

• Is aid only beneficial in Africa?