Timelines and Deadlines
Masterclass proposal deadline: Wednesday 8 January 2020 (extended!)
Workshop proposal deadline: Sunday 12 January 2020
Decision on Masterclass proposals: by Friday 7 February 2020
Decision on Workshop proposals: by Thursday 30 April 2020
The majority of masterclass speakers will have delivered a shorter workshop session at the IFC before. The IFC is a unique, high intensity and often slightly overwhelming conference experience, which is why we suggest those speakers delivering 6.5 hour masterclasses to have experienced the environment before.
On rare occasions, a speaker who hasn’t presented at the IFC previously will be invited to deliver a masterclass but they must have a proven track record of presenting similar length and in-depth sessions at other high-level conferences in the past.
Workshop speakers are also at an advantage if they have attended and experienced the IFC before.
All applicants must have a proven track record of delivering quality sessions in the past – if not at previous IFC meetings, then at conferences or events of a similar standing.
We encourage speakers to submit sessions with a co-speaker(s) to ensure a diverse and broad range of voices and perspectives.
In order to improve insights and the balance of the programme, each session is expected to incorporate a nonprofit voice within the lineup of presenters. Speakers from agencies, consultancies and providers must invite a co-presenter from an NGO client to provide the best balance of theory and practice of the strategies and ideas presented.
Returning speakers are also encouraged to invite and mentor a new speaker to join them in a session.
Two speakers from the same organisation may not speak together in the same session and there is a three session limit for each organisation, whether the representatives from that organisation submitted the original proposal or were added as a co-speaker.
The Resource Alliance has made a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We place a high value on including a diverse range of voices in every session, in particular those from underrepresented communities.
Session proposals are strongly encouraged to reflect this value in both the individuals participating as presenters and in the content delivered.
(deadline: Sunday 5 January 2020)
If you would like to prepare your answers before beginning your online submission, you can download the full proposal form in PDF format.
(deadline: Sunday 12 January 2020)
If you would like to prepare your answers before beginning your online submission, you can download the full proposal form in PDF format.
(deadline: Sunday 12 January 2020)
If you would like to prepare your answers before beginning your online submission, you can download the full proposal form in PDF format.
All speakers are required to submit the latest version of their draft presentation by Sunday 16 August 2020.
This doesn’t need to be the absolute final version of your presentation – we understand that speakers will often keep tweaking the content right up until the day of presentation and we also encourage speakers to include as recent as possible case studies and examples.
This draft version is for the Advisory Panel to check that the presentation is consistent with the published session outline and will match the expectations of the IFC audience.
Masterclass
A long-form, deep-dive session presented by seasoned expert speaker(s) over 6.5 hours over two days at the start of the congress (Tuesday 13 – Wednesday 14 October).
Workshop
A 90-minute session delivered multiple times over the course of three days after the masterclass programme (Wednesday 14 – Friday 16 October).
Plenaries (By invite only)
The Opening & Closing Plenary sessions are often the highlight of the conference. Delivered by one or multiple speakers from a large stage with cutting edge production support, the plenaries are the only sessions attended by all 1000 delegates. The type of delivery can differ from year to year but the content will always relate to the overall theme of the conference. Both plenaries are designed to be highly impactful and engaging, broadly speaking the Opening Plenary sets the scene and tone for the rest of the conference, while the Closing Plenary delivers the final emotional call to action to remind delegates why they work in this sector and send them back to their jobs on a high.
Big Room (By invite only)
90-minute one-off sessions delivered from a big stage in a big room over three days at the congress (Wednesday 14 – Friday 16 October). These sessions are usually invite-only, although we are always willing to hear ideas. Big Room speakers need to be able to deliver confidentially to a large crowd in an entertaining and engaging manner. Big Room session content must be cutting edge and innovative. These sessions are real conversation starters!
Power Hours (By invite only)
Short, sharp, one-off 60-minute sessions designed to energise and inform delegates at the end of a long day (Wednesday 14 October).
The IFC 2020 Advisory Panel is a diverse team of leading figures, thinkers and changemakers from the social impact sector. Advisory Panel members are chosen for their expertise in certain areas of focus for the IFC programme, their vast experience and deep understanding of the IFC experience, and also due to their position of influence and positive standing within the sector. The panel also includes a number of Resouce Alliance team members, who work with the panel to select sessions and build the IFC programme.
A number of factors are taken into account while curating the programme – including variety of topics, different session types, diversity of speakers, representation of different types of organisations – but the ultimate aim is always to end up with the strongest possible programme that is innovative, forward-thinking, informative, engaging, well-balanced and covers a broad range of topics and areas.
In order to succeed with this brief, the Advisory Panel meet face-to-face for several full-day meetings in the 18 months prior to each IFC instalment. Every single session proposal for IFC 2020 will be reviewed during a two-day Advisory Panel meeting in January.
To ensure that we meet our aims listed above when curating the programme not all workshop sessions will come through the proposal submission process. Some speakers will be approached and invited directly by the Advisory Panel as they build the strongest possible programme for the IFC.
For the masterclass programme, the number of speakers directly invited is higher, around the 60-70% mark, with the remaining sessions coming through the open proposal process.
As outlined under the accommodation FAQ above, some speakers will receive a full or partial free place at the conference.
Those who are awarded a partial free place can upgrade their ticket to attend the whole conference, as follows:
Travel reimbursement is available for people who speak at least three times at the IFC and are coming from registered non-profits or sole consultants who request assistance with airfare in advance of the event.
Where we agree to reimburse travel, we will do so for economy class travel to and from the Netherlands up to our set limits by region. Expenses will only be reimbursed on receipt of a properly completed expense claims form.
Any other travel reimbursement needs must be identified at the proposal submissions stage and will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
The current Advisory Panel for IFC 2020 is as follows (additional members may still be added):
The Resource Alliance team is here to assist you every step of the way on your IFC speaking journey.
The main point of contact for IFC Speakers is James Tennet, Head of Events, who you can reached at james@resource-alliance.org.
Speakers can also call the London office directly on +44 (0)20 3918 5293.
First-Time Speakers
We have a robust tried-and-tested support system in place for our highly valued and important first time speakers. Firstly, we encourage first time speakers to submit session proposals alongside an experienced IFC speaker who can take them under their wing and provide guidance and support throughout the whole unique process and experience of the IFC.
If you haven’t spoken at the IFC before and would like any suggestions for potential seasoned co-speakers who could deliver a session with you on a particular topic, just get in touch using the contact details above.
First-Time IFC Speaker Webinar
All first-time speakers are required to attend our first-time speaker webinar, which is repeated twice in May/June. This is a great way to gather insightful tips and tricks regarding speaking at the IFC.
The webinar is delivered by a highly experience IFC speaker, along with RA team representatives on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Advisory Panel Mentors
Sessions that are run entirely by one or more first-time speakers will be allocated an Advisory Panel member who will act as mentor during the planning process – including reviewing and providing feedback on their ‘one-page-plan’ and draft presentation – and they will also attend their first session to provide confidential and helpful feedback at the end.
(deadline: extended to Wednesday 8 January 2020)
If you would like to prepare your answers before beginning your online submission, you can download the full proposal form in PDF format.
(deadline: Sunday 12 January 2020)
If you would like to prepare your answers before beginning your online submission, you can download the full proposal form in PDF format.
(deadline: Sunday 12 January 2020)
If you would like to prepare your answers before beginning your online submission, you can download the full proposal form in PDF format.