The Together for Impact partnership between Danida Fellowship Centre and MS TCDC has strengthened the reach of both organisations’ communications by combining their audiences for joint storytelling and shared engagement activities. Most recently, the Stories for Impact initiative at YouLead 2026 engaged 300 participants in a joint communication activity.
By Catherine Mossi, MS TCDC and Vibeke Quaade, Danida Fellowship Centre
Danida Fellowship Centre and MS TCDC both work with a knowledge-based communications strategy focused on shared learning and exchange and they share a commitment to quality learning for a sustainable future. At the same time, the two organisations engage with very different audiences. Danida Fellowship Centre works primarily with academics and professional practitioners in the public and private sectors, while MS TCDC has extensive reach among civil society organisations, youth leaders and grassroot networks across Africa.
Through our partnership, both of our organisations have gained access to audiences and networks that would otherwise have been difficult to reach. By combining our communication platforms, channels and expertise, we have been able to amplify stories, learning, and impact across a much broader and more diverse community of stakeholders than if we had acted alone.
The numbers speak for themselves. Whenever we collaborate on posts and reels, engagement increases and both organisations gain new followers from each other's audiences. A recent example was the YouLead Summit 2026, where our joint content led to a 37% increase in views compared to previous months, while also bringing in more than 100 new followers across our channels.
Close collaboration between two teams
Part of why we have managed to strengthen our impact and expand our outreach lies in our deliberate efforts to do so.
From the beginning, we both saw the benefit of collaboration and we took it seriously. Since the launch of the partnership in 2022, the communication teams at Danida Fellowship Centre and MS TCDC have worked together closely, with bi-weekly online meetings as the backbone of our collaboration. We have strengthened and deepened it through close in-person cooperation in planning and delivering joint activities. With time this has developed into a valuable learning space where ideas, experiences and knowledge flow in both directions.
The partnership has enabled Danida Fellowship Centre to draw on MS TCDC’s deep understanding of youth engagement, African audiences and community-driven storytelling. At the same time, MS TCDC has benefited from Danida Fellowship Centre’s experience in strategic communication, knowledge dissemination and skills in amplifying learning expertise and outcomes to international audiences. This continuous exchange has strengthened both organisations’ communication practices and demonstrated the value of a partnership built on mutual respect, complementary strengths and deliberate collaboration.
Deeping knowledge communications
Our strong collaboration within the field of communication has greatly enhanced a range of joint initiatives in the partnership. Our contributions include shared storytelling efforts, podcasts, networks, and engagement activities such as More Women in Research and the latest Stories for Impact - an initiative designed to transform delegates and partners at YouLead 2026 from passive participants into active storytellers and advocates.
By working together, our two organisations have been able to tell richer and more diverse stories and engage audience in ways that neither organisation could have done independently. We look forward to continuing the journey.
Read the July 2026 newsletter about the Together for Impact partnership between MS TCDC and Danida Fellowship Centre.
