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Applications are now open for the 2023 #ShiftThePower Fellowship!

Are you involved in exciting, trailblazing and experimental grassroots or community-led work? Are you interested in being part of broader efforts to shift power and build the (civil) society we want by helping to connect the dots between innovative and emergent practices around the world? Do you want to dig into questions of “systems change” in international philanthropy and development aid with other like-minded peers? Are you interested in connecting with others like you around the world, both to learn and share, but also to strengthen the collective voice and muscle of local actors? If this sounds like you, then read on!

The grapevine that grew in adversity

Carrying on in the middle of violent conflict requires skill, resilience, and nous.  For the Palestinians, the last 100 years have brought colonisation, expulsion, and military occupation, followed by a long and difficult search for self-determination and for coexistence with the nation they hold responsible for their suffering and loss. 

The Alliance of Funds: Collaborative philanthropy under construction in Brazil

Although collaboration is an old practice among philanthropic organizations, the idea of “collaborative philanthropy” in Brazil is relatively new and is a concept still under construction. Here in Brazil, collaboration is creating new relationships in the field of philanthropy for social justice. It all started in 2021.

How to #ShiftThePower for durable community-led development

The #ShiftThePower movement is picking up momentum, gathering strength and moving at an amazing pace. Communities and donors have started to talk about it. We are seeing the energy, motion, relationships, reach, connections, direction, trends and facilitation being done. The new look at development, changing mind-sets, trying new alternatives for enduring communities is in the works.

The canoes of community philanthropy and the people investing in each other

Canoes working together are better than boats with just one captain. The various canoes distribute power and decision-making influence in a way that creates income at scale and inclusive development. When a few people want to cross a river they might use a canoe, but if the people are many, one canoe is not enough. Community philanthropy happens when the canoe that is being used ceases to be enough. To cross the river with more people, you need connected canoes moving together and looking out for each other. This has been our guiding philosophy in Baixada Maranhense.

How to lift community-led organizations in dry aid: Experiences from Kenya

From a distance the development sector looks well. Get interested. Establish a local community organization and try your luck in the “do good” sector. Write proposals. Get regrets, rejections and finally get picked. Meet all the due diligence requirements. Sign the contract. Get a few dollars. Start implementing. Write reports. Monitor. Audit. Evaluate. Write reports. Repeat.