The Kooi Hub Advisory · For NGOs, INGOs and foundations
Gender evidence, from proposal to evaluation.
We review, write and evaluate against the markers and criteria funders use, in Spanish or English.
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Entry offer Start here
Gender Marker Check
A fixed-scope review of one proposal against the OECD-DAC gender equality policy marker and the IASC Gender with Age Marker, with written recommendations.
See the serviceOECD-DAC gender equality policy marker
- 0
- 1
- 2
IASC Gender with Age Marker
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
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EU · AECID · UN · foundations
Gender lead for bids and programmes
Gender analysis sections, theory of change and gender-sensitive indicators for EU, AECID, UN and foundation calls.
See the service -
ES · EN
Gender analyses and evaluations
Desk reviews and rapid evaluations using the OECD-DAC criteria, in Spanish or English.
See the service -
Spain
Equality plans for NGOs and third-sector organisations
Paula has designed equality plans for NGOs and international agencies since 2019.
See the service
The Kooi Hub Learn · For NGO teams
Learning through play.
Capacity-building workshops for NGO teams on gender markers and the five Kooi Hub topics, built on play and non-formal education. Schools are welcome too.
- Gender equality
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Human rights
- Preventing gender-based violence
- Sustainability
Each mark grows from a letter of its Spanish name, sunk under water and crowned with a spark.
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Design that explains
We use design to make information inviting, accessible and easy to understand.
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Community
We build an aware, close-knit community to learn alongside.
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Gamification
We bring game design into learning, so it stays fun as well as useful.
The Kooi community
Like koi in a pond.
The Kooi Hub takes its inspiration from koi and their tireless journey through water. Water gives us back our own reflection. It shows us as we are and draws us in.
That is the Kooi community: a place to express your individuality freely while feeling part of a community of equals.
Our story
From the pond to organisations.
Paula created The Kooi Hub in 2022 around the idea of koi: expressing your individuality within a community of equals, and learning through play.
Her MSc at SOAS (2025) added rigorous evidence and evaluation work: the OECD-DAC criteria and the IASC Gender with Age Marker.
Now The Kooi Hub opens to organisations, bringing the two together: community and play, backed by evidence.
Why Paula
Paula López Navarro
Founder of The Kooi Hub
Paula López Navarro founded The Kooi Hub in 2022. She is a gender and development specialist with more than ten years of experience across the United Nations, diplomacy and the non-profit sector. With UNFPA in Mexico she worked on the Spotlight Initiative, the EU and UN partnership to end violence against women and girls. At the Embassy of Spain in Indonesia she produced political reporting for the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and at Plan B de Uso she raised funds and built institutional partnerships for development projects. Since 2019 she has designed equality plans and human rights training for NGOs and international agencies. She holds an MSc in Humanitarianism, Aid and Conflict from SOAS, University of London, an MA in Gender and Peacebuilding from the UN-mandated University for Peace, and a degree in International Relations from Universidad Pontificia Comillas. She works in Spanish, English and German, and speaks Portuguese.
- Spanish
- English
- German
- Portuguese
FAQ
Common questions.
What is the Gender Marker Check?
It is a fixed-scope review of one proposal against the OECD-DAC gender equality policy marker and the IASC Gender with Age Marker. You receive written recommendations.
Who is The Kooi Hub for?
For NGOs, INGOs, foundations and Spanish third-sector organisations. The Kooi Hub Learn workshops are for NGO teams, and for schools too.
Which languages do you work in?
The Kooi Hub Advisory services are offered in Spanish or English. Paula also works in German and speaks Portuguese.
How do the OECD-DAC and IASC markers differ?
The OECD-DAC gender equality policy marker scores a proposal 0, 1 or 2. The IASC Gender with Age Marker uses codes from 0 to 4 and, as its name says, looks at gender and age. The Gender Marker Check reviews the proposal against both.
Do you offer training for teams?
Yes. The Kooi Hub Learn offers capacity-building workshops for NGO teams on gender markers and on gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, human rights, preventing gender-based violence and sustainability, built on play and non-formal education.
Who is behind The Kooi Hub?
Paula López Navarro, a gender and development specialist who founded The Kooi Hub in 2022.
How do I get in touch?
Email paula@thekooihub.com.
The Kooi community opens its doors
Let's talk.
Tell us about the proposal, programme or team you are working on.
- Honesty
- Freshness
- Creativity
- Awareness
- Collaboration
Summary
The Kooi Hub is a gender consultancy created in 2022 by Paula López Navarro, now opening to NGOs, INGOs, foundations and Spanish third-sector organisations. The Kooi Hub Advisory offers the Gender Marker Check, a fixed-scope review of one proposal against the OECD-DAC gender equality policy marker and the IASC Gender with Age Marker, with written recommendations; a gender lead for bids and programmes for EU, AECID, UN and foundation calls, covering gender analysis, theory of change and gender-sensitive indicators; gender analyses and evaluations using the OECD-DAC criteria, in Spanish or English; and equality plans for NGOs and third-sector organisations in Spain. The Kooi Hub Learn offers capacity-building workshops for NGO teams on gender markers and on gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, human rights, preventing gender-based violence and sustainability, with schools as a second audience. Contact: paula@thekooihub.com.