Gathering strengthens bonds and charts the network's future
Celebrating the incredible individuals who make up the Alianza, coming together to drive change. (Photo: Alianza Fondos del Sur)
From August 11th to 14th, 2024, the Socio-environmental Funds of the Global South held its member meeting in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, bringing together 30 representatives from the 15 funds that make up the network. Strategic discussions and reaffirming the collective commitment to the conservation of life and the strengthening of local communities in the Global South marked the event.
Throughout the five days, member fund representatives engaged in critical discussions, celebrated achievements, and planned actions to promote social and environmental justice.
The official opening of the meeting, held at the headquarters of Associação Tindzila Caminhos Sustentáveis, the host fund of the meeting and the Mozambican representative of the alliance, welcomed participants with a presentation of Tindzila’s history and working structure. They also had the opportunity to learn more about the country’s context, rich in natural resources but facing challenges common to many Global South countries, such as the extractive and predatory nature of its economic development and the consequences of the climate emergency, which are affecting both urban and rural populations.
The first day included a visit to Namaacha, a location where one of Fundo Tindzila’s main supported projects is based. This project focuses on diversifying sustainable practices on a rural property, emphasizing the efficient production and management of resources. It exemplifies how the fund seeks to transform local groups and communities into leaders of the development process.
This experience provided a rich exchange of best practices and an opportunity to discuss common challenges, inspiring members who recognized themselves in the work being done.
Alda Salomão, Director of Fundo Tindzila, highlighted the value of exchanges between the funds. “Collaboration between all institutions and people who share a common world vision and pursue the same goals, even with different interventions, is important. The Alianza offers an opportunity for learning, solidarity, and exchange of experiences, allowing for a unified voice with a common purpose.”
Reviewing the past and planning for the future
The 30 fund representatives engaged in collaborative group activities. (Photo: Alianza Fondos del Sur)
In the following days, the focus of the meeting was to revisit the alliance’s trajectory and plan concrete actions for the future. During the discussions, members celebrated recent achievements, such as expanding the alliance’s influence through strategic partnerships, presence in events and networks, and strengthening internal bonds.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the discussion of the Funds of the Global South’s strategic vision for the coming years and the identification of central pillars to guide future actions, such as supporting the visibility of local communities in the conservation of life, with a commitment to highlight and amplify the voices of these communities, positioning them at the center of global philanthropic attention, and promoting more inclusive philanthropic resources that truly represent the needs and aspirations of local communities.
These pillars not only reflect the mission of the alliance’s member funds but also position the network as a strategic actor in promoting social and environmental justice on a global scale.
Unity and next steps
Since the last meeting in Bogotá in April 2023, the Socio-environmental Funds of the Global South has grown with the addition of six new funds, further expanding its work and reach in the Global South. “The sense of unity among the fifteen funds, coming from diverse contexts in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, highlights the network’s success in connecting geographically distant initiatives with common purposes,” said Juliana Tinoco, Executive Coordinator of the alliance.
The meeting in Mozambique culminated in a strong sense of belonging among members and reaffirmed the collective commitment to continue working for vulnerable communities. “Celebrating achievements and defining key strategic pillars, along with the construction of concrete actions, reinforce the collective commitment of members and position the Alianza for an even greater impact in the field of philanthropy,” concludes Tinoco.
Map highlights the Global South’s unity at the Alianza gathering in Mozambique. (Photo: Alianza Fondos del Sur)
