Welcome to the uncertainty
7 ways I can “show up” to help shift how the global development sector fundamentally operates during and after COVID-19
7 ways I can “show up” to help shift how the global development sector fundamentally operates during and after COVID-19
Initial reflections (and a poem) from the 2019 #ShiftThePower Symposium and how to continue the conversations going forward.
Donors stuck in the old ways of moving money around don’t offer useful capital to new and innovative organizations that don’t fit the mold. Here’s four things a new kind of aid donor does better.
Sharing a list of small NGOs and foundations specializing in direct funding to grassroots leaders, locally-led organizations, and small, often “informal” movements.
Is the phenomena of briefcase NGOs is not as common as people think? Are they a legitimate reason donors creating stronger accountability mechanisms?
Donors stuck in the old ways of moving money around don’t offer useful capital to new and innovative organizations that don’t fit the mold. Here’s four things a new kind of aid donor does better.
Are we overlooking the capacity of local NGOs? My guest post on The Broker Online argues that rather than being the lowest common denominator of international assistance, local indigenous organizations should be regarded as the fundamental unit of effective development aid.
Sharing a list of fundraising resources for community-based organizations in the developing world.
“If your general impression [is that most grassroots organizations are incapacitated], then you’ve been driving a white SUV through a village to get the ‘authentic’ feel of some project.” ~Marc Maxson of GlobalGiving’s Storytelling Project
“Half the stories of community change are not about NGOs at all, but individuals. It’s time NGOs realized they’re not the center of the community, and figured out how to work with the individuals who are.” ~from my interview with Marc Maxson of GlobalGiving’s Storytelling Project
We need smart people to identify what works, yes. We also need these same smart people to utilize their skills to meet organizations where they are, rather than trying to form them into versions of ourselves.
Are we overlooking the capacity of local NGOs? Rather than being the lowest common denominator of international assistance, indigenous organizations should be regarded as the fundamental unit of effective development aid.
Sharing excerpts of twelve papers on international development and aid effectiveness from my reading pile.
“‘The system’ whereby foreign donors give handouts, and not sustainable initiatives that are drawn from the needs of the communities, is a problem.” ~R.F.M. community activist, Zimbabwe