Decades later, our research drawing on experiences of community leaders tells us that systems, structures, mindsets and belief that centre assets, agency and trust with, between and within communities, will always be more contextually appropriate, impactful, and durable. GlobalGiving has been calling for aid and philanthropy transformation since its founding in 2002. The COVID-19 pandemic and world events such as the Black Lives Matter movement energised the sector to change, to redress structural power imbalances that are not only unethical, but also hinder the actual work and goals of communities. Since the system was borne out of colonialism, many argue that aid perpetuates colonial hallmarks-power holding, control, othering, racism. Ecosystem change is necessaryįor the majority of Global North actors in international development, aid, and philanthropy today, policies, practices, mindsets and beliefs are limiting the possibility of truly getting behind communities like Eliza’s. The initiative is called the Assets, Agency & Trust Program, because these three concepts, when centred on communities, can accelerate community-led change. Innovative work in the Philippines, with support from USAID’s Local Works initiative, is doing just that.Ī consortium of five organisations-including Center for Disaster Preparedness, Philippines, GlobalGiving, Global Fund for Community Foundations, and the Nonprofit Finance Fund with backing from USAID-have been working together to design, test, and learn how to better support community-led change through aid funding and philanthropy in all its forms. Imagine what would happen if this is where all aid and philanthropy initiatives started-by centering a person, a family, a community, and strengthening the assets already there, the solutions already agreed upon? In the Philippines, this kind of community solidarity is called bayanihan. They agree: This is where investment is needed now. Another boat would bring more income and opportunities for Fisherfolk Association members over the long term. Today, the Fisherfolk Association only has one boat that is used for fishing or renting to others. Through the Fisherfolk Association, nobody faces these challenges alone. They’ve also had their land and rights challenged, suffered effects of climate-related crises, and often struggled to meet their families’ basic needs. About 100 members strong, Eliza and many others in the Fisherfolk Association have roots in fishing that extend three to four generations. But what Eliza likes most about the tuyuan is the camaraderie it provides.Įliza is a member of the Capunitan Fisherfolk Association. It makes it possible for Eliza to earn a living fishing. In Capunitan, a small bayside town in the Philippines, the tuyuan is a fish-drying facility. In a small bayside town in the Philippines, a consortium of philanthropy collaborators is getting behind fourth-generation fishers to break old power dynamics and practice new ways of partnership.
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