Independent oversight for commitments that must deliver in practice.
Sustenra works with institutions responsible for complex philanthropic, corporate sustainability and development finance commitments. We provide a senior independent view on whether the right structures, partners, controls and performance information are in place.
For corporate foundations and environmental, social and governance (ESG) or corporate social responsibility (CSR) teams, financial institutions and impact investors, philanthropic foundations, development finance institutions, and public or international institutions.
A clearer basis for action.
Sustenra is most useful when an institution needs an independent view before making, changing or overseeing a significant commitment.
Best suited to complex, high-accountability programmes involving substantial capital, multiple partners, several geographies or significant board, investor, trustee or public scrutiny.
You need to know what is actually happening.
A programme, partner or commitment needs independent scrutiny before a decision is made.
You know what is wrong, but the structures need to change.
Governance, accountability, delivery or performance arrangements need strengthening.
Senior decision-makers need an independent view.
A board, committee or leadership team needs evidence and judgement it can rely on.
You need independent oversight over time.
The commitment is too important to rely only on periodic internal or partner reporting.
Three ways Sustenra can support a complex commitment.
The right starting point depends on whether the immediate need is to understand what is happening, strengthen the structures around delivery, or maintain an independent senior view over time.
Independent Review
Understand what is happening before deciding what to do.
For programmes, partners or commitments that need an independent assessment.
Focused Review
For a defined issue, decision, partner, risk or programme component where the question is already clear.
Diagnostic Review
For concerns where the underlying problem is not yet clear and a broader assessment is needed.
The distinction: Focused Review starts with a defined question; Diagnostic Review is used when the underlying cause is still unclear.
Programme Strengthening
Strengthen the structures around delivery.
For programmes where the main problems are understood but governance, accountability, controls, partner capability or performance visibility need to change.
Strengthening Mandate
Sustenra works alongside the institution while stronger arrangements are designed, introduced and embedded.
Our role: we support the change and oversee whether it is working. We do not take over programme management or implementation.
Strategic Oversight
Maintain an independent senior view over time.
For institutions that need continuing scrutiny, challenge and decision support rather than another one-off review.
Strategic Retainer
Periodic performance and risk review, senior challenge, escalation support and access to independent judgement when issues arise.
Our role: Sustenra provides independent scrutiny and advice. Management, delivery and governance responsibility remain with the client.
Judgement shaped by direct programme responsibility.
Sustenra’s founder and senior directors have held direct responsibility across institutions, programmes and delivery environments internationally.
Not sure which form of engagement fits?
You do not need to diagnose the problem before speaking to us. An initial conversation is confidential and helps establish what kind of independent support, if any, would be useful.