In a world that is increaIn a world that is increasingly uncertain, unpredictable, and disrupted, business as usual is no longer effective. Progress requires a different approach—one grounded in partnership.

Many are looking for alternative ways to achieve positive change in a resources constrained context. How do we ensure that money and decisions are being directed to the most relevant and pressing needs?

Our speakers shared the benefits, challenges, risks and opportunities of collaborative and pooled funding and support mechanisms.

On 23 April we held a vibrant discussion with:

➤ Medina Haeri, Co- Founder & Executive Director, Helia Collaborative
➤ Eliane Matti-Proenca, Head of Partnerships, Global Partnerships for Education
➤ Gloriah Soma, Founder & Executive Director, Titi Foundation, South Sudan
➤ Jennifer Wu, Co-founder, Unity4Impact

➤ Moderator: Elianna Sabbag Moquette, Director, If! Foundationsingly

Context
At a time when funding is increasingly difficult to secure while needs continue to rise, many organisations are under intense pressure. Migrant populations are at record levels due to conflict and climate crises, girls’ completion of primary and secondary education is declining, and access to healthcare remains a struggle. The challenges are overwhelming.

What explored
On Thursday 19 February, we hosted an online conversation moderated by Zoya Siddiqui from Acumen, an organisation that recognised early on the potential of the social enterprise model. Together, we explored how this approach can help organisations build more resilient, financially sustainable models.

We highlighted and heard from three grassroots organisations applying this model in the field: Aavishkaar Centre (India), Project Maji (Africa), and Womengro Initiative (Uganda). We were also be joined by the Elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalisation, which supports social entrepreneurs through its philanthropic giving, to share the funder perspective on what helps these models thrive.

Moderator:
Zoya Siddiqui, Development and Partnerships Manager at Acumen Europe

Expert perspective:
Lisa Jean-Mairet, Executive Director, Elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalisation

Voices from the field (highlighted organisations):
– Prapti Bhasin, CEO, Aavishkaar Centre, India
– Sunil Lalvani, Founder, Project Maji, Africa
– Lilian Nakigozi, Founder, Womengro Initiative Uganda

On December 4th, Giving Women held a panel conversation that brought together practitioners from the field, a researcher, and an expert moderator to demonstrate how teaching digital skills can provide job opportunities for Africa's "Youthquake." Our panelists shared the successes and opportunities they have observed among the youth they have trained. They also acknowledged the challenges faced by young women, as described by Funda, in navigating this new work ecosystem.

While the ability to work from home and on one's own schedule was highlighted as a significant advantage for women balancing household and childcare responsibilities, the workload often proved to be unmanageable. This put them at an unfair disadvantage when seeking work on digital platforms. Similarly, when working directly with companies, the flexibility to work from home was often lacking.

The two practitioners who represented hybrid organisations—combining a not-for-profit arm with a company that provides job opportunities for their graduates—demonstrated how they are addressing these challenges with a strong awareness of gender issues.

The discussion was fascinating, multi-layered, and rich, beautifully moderated, and certainly left us confident in the abundant opportunities available for youth in Africa.

Click on the button above to hear the conversation with the panelists:
•    Valerie Okumu – Development Officer,  Konexio Africa
•    Dr Funda Ustek Spilda – Senior Lecturer and SE Asia Programmes Lead
     at the Department of Digital Humanities, King’s College London
•    Brizan Were – Co-founder and Managing Director, Lion's Strength

Moderated by:
•    Kirsten Schuettler – Economist