This is a recap from Global Washington’s Goalmakers Annual Conference 2023. Read another recap from the event: The Changing Role of Funders: Emerging Trends for Philanthropy in Global Development.

_________

Goalmakers Annual Conference 2023 brought together leaders from across the world to share learnings and insights. One session, Recasting the Table: How to Create an Enabling Environment for Community-based Organizations, emphasized how international aid can help or harm local communities. Anna Slattery, Manager of External Affairs at The Hunger Project, moderated a discussion between Rebecca Dali, The Center for Caring and Peace Initiatives; Nixon Ochatre, Founder and Head of Strategy at Amani Initiative; and Gunjan Veda, Director of Collaborative Research, Policy and Practice, Movement for Community-led Development. These experts shared the best practices that funders should bring to development efforts to make a sustainable impact. 

Below are key takeaways from the session. 

Barriers to Engagement for Community-based Organizations:

When it comes to development, community-based organizations are the beating heart. These are the organizations embedded in communities that know the needs and assets of that community and understand the relevant history and cultural context that can make or break a development project. Unfortunately, organizations that are best suited to use international development funds are often unable to access those same funds. 

Current international development practices center the funding organizations. This attitude is clearly demonstrated throughout the funding process. Veda pointed out that conversations about funding are most often conducted in the country and language of the funding entity. Cultural, language, resource, and even visa barriers can be insurmountable for the organizations doing the work on the ground. 

If organizations do manage to make it to the table, they are not guaranteed funding. They are often forced to jump through hoops to gain funding, competing against other organizations. After making significant investments to get to the table and “earn” funding, money doesn’t always come through. This means that the local organizations with few resources are worse off than they were before they sought support, and that “support” looks more like harm than help. 

The Shift We Need to See

Leaders see co-creation as the solution to this problem. Co-creation is the practice of working collaboratively with the impacted communities to build solutions for the problems they face. However, as Ochatre put it, “Co-creation is the right way to do it, but co-creation needs to be done right.” Veda believes that lack of trust and respect leads funders to create barriers. The solution, according to her: “What we have to change is that mindset. Funders need to trust local organizations and communities”. When trust and respect are in place, real partnerships and co-creation can occur.

Some organizations have already made shifts toward better supporting community-based organizations. Dali highlighted one funder who met her “on the field and said, ‘Can we partner?’” The simple act of being the one to travel and initiate a partnership is a small but significant step toward real collaboration. The respect for her time, funds, and expertise is implicit in the action. 

The good news is that funders have a great opportunity to follow this example. Slattery points out that “philanthropy has the flexibility to incorporate more local voices” than government, which is often restricted. Success boils down to simple values that must be centered for successful co-creation, according to Dali: “Respect, love, and dignity.”