Debates are beginning to evolve on what might form the next generation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The post‐2015 debate stands to be a ‘lightning rod’ for fundamental questions of what development is about, and how to make it happen. In light of this, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) conducted over 100 interviews with Southern non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) to collate reflections on the MDGs to date and how any MDGs 2.0 might reimagine development.