Dear colleagues,  

2023 was a year of profound global shifts and challenges. For many of us, it was a journey through a landscape marked by transformation and resilience. 2023 saw significant geopolitical and environmental challenges, with the undeniable impacts of climate change becoming more evident than ever. Amidst these challenges, hera's commitment to health, development, and human rights found new urgency and relevance. 

Through our work, we were reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of collective effort. Each engagement brought new opportunities for growth and learning, reinforcing our resolve to make a significant impact on the communities and clients we serve. We are filled with a sense of gratitude—for the lessons learned, the bonds strengthened, and the collaborations that have shaped our journey.  In line with our commitment to corporate social responsibility, 2023 marked a significant milestone for hera as we applied for B-corp status, reinforcing our dedication to sustainable and ethical business practices.

In 2023 our work covered everything from the maternal and neonatal healthcare landscape in India, now the world's most populous country, to the complex environments of pharmaceutical supply chains in Afghanistan. Projects like the UNDP / UNFPA / UNICEF / WHO / World Bank Human Reproduction Programme evaluation and our engagements under the Norad framework agreement have been cornerstones of our effort to champion health and human rights. The setup and operation of the Knowledge Hub on Health, Social Protection, and Socio-economic inequalities for the European Commission (EC), known as the HISP, is another pivotal project showcasing our team's expertise and capacity to provide up-to-date and relevant advice to EU Delegations and Headquarters. Our involvement in COVID-19 studies in humanitarian settings for the WHO, and the development of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) tools in Rwanda, highlighted our agility in responding to emergent global health issues and sustained challenges in changing human behaviour. In 2023, hera also started working for UNICEF to develop a comprehensive dashboard on Community Health Workers across 16 countries in the Middle East and North African region (MENA), significantly enhancing data accessibility and decision-making throughout the region. These projects, along with our evaluations of UNICEF's humanitarian efforts and our contributions to Health System Strengthening efforts with GAVI, reinforce hera's role in 2023 as a reliable collaborator in supporting the right to health and development for all with high-quality work. 

As we step into 2024, let us carry with us the lessons learned, the strengthened bonds, and the inspiration we have gathered along the way. We hope you enjoy this short and reflective report looking back at 2023. We are thankful for the trust and collaboration of our employees, partners, associates, consultants and clients, and we look forward to continuing our work towards a more equitable and healthier world. 

In solidarity, 

Marieke Deville (Director) and Leen Jille (CEO)