Photo: Wylly Suhendra/Unsplash
By: Juliana Tinoco | Executive Coordinator of the Alianza Socioambiental Fondos del Sur
From the center of the most progressive discussions about the direction of contemporary global philanthropy, a remarkable case of South-South collaboration emerges: the Alianza Socioambiental Fondos del Sur. The Alliance of Socio-Environmental Funds of the Global South (in Portuguese) is a pioneering network of local funds supporting community philanthropy operating in the Global South.
This collaboration is part of the current movement of deep reflection on the future of global philanthropy, seeking to promote significant changes in the sector, with an emphasis on fairer, more equitable and transformative action, aligned with the exemplary approach of Rede Comuá in Brazil. Beyond the Brazilian context, however, this is a growing movement throughout the Global South, where the ecosystem of activist organizations within philanthropy is strengthened through networks, alliances and other collaborative formats committed to these egalitarian guidelines.
Local funds under the umbrella of Alianza Fondos del Sur are organizations originating from the socio-environmental context, which distinguish themselves from other funds managed by (and in) the Global North based on the legitimacy they have as local activist organizations, mobilizing resources to support organizations communities in their countries and regions, at the forefront of socio-environmental protection.
Over the past few decades, these funds have developed a unique and effective approach to funding and supporting community organizations. This new model aims to increase the chances of local groups (with their diverse cultures, struggles and solutions) accessing the necessary resources, strengthening the capacity of grassroots organizations to implement their own solutions.
The field of community philanthropy arises precisely from the appreciation of the role of local communities, their leaders and resources, in facing the greatest challenges of our time. Unfortunately, such forces are often those most excluded from the philanthropic focus, facing significant challenges in terms of accessing resources – often invisible to traditional donors.
The local funds support model combines financial assistance (through catalytic grants) with capacity building (through technical assistance, knowledge exchange between different groups and promotion of peer learning), among other tools. The strategy covers the diverse contexts of each biome or region, understanding its main challenges, successful experiences, lessons, actors involved and, ultimately, identifying areas where strategic resources can be directed to support significant initiatives.
The Alliance today brings together long-standing socio-environmental funds, such as the Casa Socioambiental Fund, in Brazil, the Fondo Acción Solidaria, in Mexico, the Fundación Tierra Viva, in Central America and the Samdhana Institute, in Southeast Asia, with recently launched funds, such as Fundación Semilla, in Bolivia, Fondo Socioambiental Peru, in Peru, Fondo Socioambiental Emerger, in Colombia, Fondo Ñeque, in Ecuador, Fundo Tindzila, in Mozambique and the Environmental Justice Fund, in South Africa.
Despite having its origins in the communion of actors over at least three decades, this pioneering initiative is still taking its first official steps. In December 2023, we will complete two years of existence, marked by consolidation and expansion, with the formation of our management committee (composed of the Casa, Emerger and Tindzila funds) and the arrival of new members. Our mission will continue to bring diverse views from actors in the Global South, and demonstrate the results of a community philanthropy approach to climate justice – thus adding to this active progressive movement in the field of philanthropy.
To learn more about our work, access our site.
