Giving for Change Annual Reflection and Learning Meeting Highlights Progress and Future Directions for Community Philanthropy
The Giving for Change (GfC) Alliance, an international collaboration involving the Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF), the African Philanthropy Network (APN), the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), and Wilde Ganzen (WG), wrapped up its Annual Learning and Reflection Meeting from August 13th to 15th, 2024. The event drew participants from eight countries—Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Brazil, and Palestine—engaged in the GfC Programme (2021-2025).
Themed “Connecting, Supporting, and Influencing Community Philanthropy in a Context of Shrinking Civic Space,” the meeting provided a platform for deepening connections, support, and influence among partners. Organized by the Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) in collaboration with the GfC Alliance, the event gathered 40 participants from various member organizations and national institutions to include Africa Philanthropy Network (APN), Global Fund for Community Foundations, Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), Wilde Ganzen Foundation, Association Burkinabé de Fundraising (Burkina Faso), CESE – Coordinadora Ecumanica de Serviaso (Brazil), Comua Network (Brazil), Development Expertise Center (DEC) (Ethiopia), Dalia Association (Palestine), Micaia Foundation (Mozambique), STAR-Ghana Foundation, Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF), West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) (Ghana), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Meeting Highlights
The meeting featured insights from a diverse group of partners, including the Africa Philanthropy Network, Global Fund for Community Foundations, Kenya Community Development Foundation, Wilde Ganzen Foundation, and several others. Over the course of the meeting, participants shared their experiences, successes, and challenges encountered over the past three years of programme implementation.
Field visits to local partners like The Open Space Center, Watoto Wasoka, and AVSI Foundation offered firsthand examples of community philanthropy in action. These visits highlighted the practical impact of community-driven initiatives and the crucial role of local engagement and resource mobilization.
Discussions during the meeting underscored the importance of local ownership and strengthening community networks. Participants engaged in strategic conversations about enhancing collaboration, sharing resources, and fostering a supportive environment for the alliance. There was a consensus on the need for strong, interconnected networks to drive sustainable development and amplify collective impact.
Reflecting on the future of community philanthropy, participants identified key strategic priorities and opportunities for collective action amid evolving local and global contexts. The discussions emphasized the need for innovative solutions and adaptive strategies to navigate the challenges of a shrinking civic space.
Looking Ahead
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to empowering local communities, leveraging domestic resources, and promoting local ownership. Partners pledged to continue investing in community-led initiatives and capacity building, enhancing coordination, and sharing resources to overcome the challenges posed by shrinking civic space.
A renewed focus will be placed on strengthening advocacy efforts to influence national and international policies that support community philanthropy. This includes engaging with governments and other stakeholders to foster an enabling environment for civil society.
In the coming months, the GfC Alliance will prioritize building the resilience of civil society organizations by investing in their legitimacy, credibility, and sustainability. The outcomes of the Annual Learning and Reflection Meeting are expected to significantly enhance the resilience and effectiveness of civil society actors dedicated to advancing community philanthropy in challenging contexts.
