By Jonathas Azevedo and Yasmin Morais
In July, we concluded the first cycle of Rede Comuá's Saberes Program, which seeks to investigate and produce knowledge in the fields of socio-environmental justice and community development, based on the knowledge, experiences and practices of civil society leaders, professionals, researchers and professionals from philanthropic institutions, contributing to decolonizing the production of knowledge about philanthropy.
Created in 2022 as a pilot initiative, the program's call for proposals selected seven fellows, including civil society leaders, professionals and researchers working in movements, groups, collectives, funds and philanthropic institutions, mostly representatives of political minorities (women, blacks, LGBTQIA+). Throughout the program, in addition to the production of knowledge supported by experienced mentors in their areas of expertise, scholarship recipients also participated in a Community of Practice with monthly meetings, which became a fundamental space for learning, collaboration and dissemination of knowledge, as well as well as meetings and activities promoted by Rede Comuá.
At the closing meeting, fellows reflected on how this experience transformed each person as a person and producer of knowledge. It was exciting to see the impact that research has had and can have on the territories in which it operates. These learnings created connections that will multiply beyond the program, driving the continuity of actions and strengthening trajectories.
Cleber spoke about the opening and expansion that the experience brought. Larissa, in turn, shared the ups and downs faced during the research, which were overcome with the help of the bonds built and the results achieved. Jész highlighted the challenges faced, but also the discovery of new questions and ways of acting. We, from the Rede Comuá Programs team, emphasize the importance of absorbing new learning from each other throughout the process.
During the meeting, it became evident that there are several points in common between all the research. The appreciation of ancestral practices in the territories as a form of resistance gained prominence, as did the need to record these processes so that they can inspire new experiences in other places. Valuing the practices and initiatives of the researched groups was also identified as essential to mitigate their difficulties in accessing and maintaining resources.
Furthermore, we recognize the importance of valuing organizations within their particularities, respecting the characteristics of the groups with which we are working and researching. The research results brought energy and encouragement to the groups surveyed to feel valued and supported, allowing them to do even more for the development of their communities.
The entire group understands that each person's research was just the starting point for the transformation possibilities identified from it. Mutual learning, valuing ancestry and building a welcoming environment conducive to dialogue and reflection were notable elements of this journey. At the end of the closing meeting, we highlighted some qualities that we appreciated in each of us: assertiveness, authenticity, acceptance and attention further strengthened the impact of the research and the Saberes community.
Now, with the program coming to an end, we eagerly await the release of the research results. In the meantime, we invite everyone to follow the Knowledge season of our podcast, where more experiences and learning will be shared, maintaining the connection with the knowledge generated throughout the program.
Based on this set of knowledge produced by the Program's fellows, Rede Comuá also intends to strengthen its advocacy efforts in the field of philanthropy and the public sphere, in order to expand resources for social justice, human rights and community development agendas, as well as to strengthen the struggle of leaders and civil society organizations for the promotion and access to rights. In this sense, the production of knowledge from the leaders themselves and from those who are at the forefront of building community philanthropy and social justice plays, above all, a political role in promoting a production of knowledge that is also committed to defending rights of minority groups and the strengthening of democracy.
The closure of the first class of the Saberes Program is an inspiring milestone for Rede Comuá and for all the people involved. We continue together!
Images: Rede Comuá archive.
