Social business, civil society and donation: a broad front for social transformation?
By Fábio Deboni
As the social impact business agenda advances (from now on I will call it social business to make it easier), some questions still seem to remain in the forefront of this discussion. This raises a certain paradox. On the one hand, this agenda seems to be advancing in leaps and bounds as being a kind of 'icing on the cake' of market solutions to 'change the world'. In this same vein we find related themes (sustainability, ESG, among others), all presenting us with a narrative that market solutions, in addition to the market itself, are key pieces in this great arena of socio-environmental transformation.
Strengthen civil society to build Local Agendas and Solutions
By Henrique Silveira
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and deepened inequality in access to rights, services and urban infrastructure in the outskirts and favelas of the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro. At a time when public power was most needed, society witnessed lack of coordination, neglect and negligence. With the population left to its own devices, the work of NGOs, collectives and community organizations was fundamental in minimizing the effects of the health and social crisis that has severely impacted the poorest population.
Results and collective impact of the Support Program
By Graciela Hopstein
The Support Program was significant for the member organizations as it contributed to strengthening networking and exchange between peers, promoting the sharing of experiences and this is, without a doubt, one of the main results achieved.
Implemented between 2020 and 2021, the Support Program for member organizations of the Philanthropy Network for Social Justice, had support from the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), and was aimed at strengthening members as members of the Network, seeking to promote exchange of experiences and learning and the articulation of partnerships. This initiative was developed in the context of the Network Strengthening Program, involving capacity development actions through online meetings and workshops.
A year of weaving in a network
By Roberto Vilela and Simone Amorim
Recently, Tabôa Fortalecimento Comunitário published its 2020 Activity Report. Producing an annual report is always an opportunity to revisit practice and shed light on the processes experienced, highlighting results, impacts and learning generated. And, in the case of a year as atypical as 2020, the task of systematizing the main reflections and lessons learned becomes even more important, seeking to strengthen institutional resilience and the ability to contribute to positively transforming reality.
“Money is power, but knowledge is also power.” Discover the Donate to Transform program: Philanthropy Network for Social Justice
By Tarisai Jangara
This interview is part of a series of dialogues carried out by the Global Fund by Community Foundations with the main partners of the Donate to Transform program, developed with support from Dutch Cooperation, which will invest €24 million for its implementation and will last five years. The Program is implemented in Brazil, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Palestine and Uganda, being led by a consortium made up of four organizations: the African Philanthropy Network, the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), the Global Fund Community Foundations (GFCF) and the Wilde Ganzen Foundation. The goal of the Program – which is part of the Dutch government's 'Power of Voices' program – is to encourage local donations as a form of voice expression, civic participation, solidarity and dissent from political minorities. Donate to Transform will build evidence around new thinking and approaches that support the development of community philanthropy.
“Money is power but knowledge is power too” – Meet the Giving for Change alliance: Brazil Philanthropy Network for Social Justice
In this series of interviews, we will be introducing you to the lead partners involved in the Giving for Change program! The five-year, €24 million program will be implemented in Brazil, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Palestine and Uganda, and is led by a consortium of four organizations: the Africa Philanthropy Network, Kenya Community Development Foundation, GFCF and Wilde Ganzen. The aim of Giving for Change – part of the Dutch government's 'Power of Voices' program – is to foster local giving as an expression of voice, civic participation, solidarity and dissent. The program will build evidence around new thinking, approaches and leadership that supports community philanthropy development.
Decolonial turn in philanthropy: between paradox and urgency
By Cássio Aoqui, Jéssica Gonçalves & Letícia Cardoso
“Until lions have their own historians, hunting stories will continue to glorify the hunter.”
This African proverb, already cited by intellectuals such as Emir Sader and Eduardo Galeano, expresses well the core of why it is important for us to reflect – and act – in order to promote a decolonial turn in philanthropy.
RFJS publishes Activity Report 2018-2020
By Mônica Ribeiro
Over the last three years, the Philanthropy Network for Social Justice (RFJS) has undergone a strengthening process that included institutional organization and consolidation (2018), articulation and representation (2019) and strengthening of the Network and the field.
The result of this journey is now gathered in the RFJS 2018-2020 Activity Report, now available for reading and downloading.
South-South cooperation strengthens reflections and exchanges between Brazil and Mozambique realities
By Lucas Lopes
On July 22nd, the first meeting took place between the Micaia Foundation, from Mozambique, and the Philanthropy Network for Social Justice in order to bring together organizations and countries in their experiences with what we understand as “community philanthropy” [1 ].
In 2021, both organizations started the Donate to Transform Program in their respective countries. In addition to Mozambique and Brazil, the program is being carried out in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Palestine.
New studies highlight trends and changes in the field of philanthropy and giving culture
Recently released studies and research demonstrate places and trends in philanthropy following the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Based on dialogues conducted throughout the 11th GIFE Congress and the actions of members, in various spaces, the organization produced an in-depth reflection on the present and future of strategic agendas, recognizing limits, challenges, themes and initiatives that demand attention and focus In the next years.