By Pritha Venkatachalam, Riti Mohapatra, Ntefeleng Nene, Aditi Sharma, Umang Manchanda, and Roger Thompson
For many funders, the pressing question isn’t whether to pursue community-driven change, but how to proceed with an approach that works. Community-driven change is a social process whereby communities actively participate in, lead, and own the identification, design, and execution of solutions for the challenges they face. Bridgespan research shows that an approach rooted in community power can lead to more lasting and equitable impact.
Our report highlights three paths for funders new to community-driven change, or those seeking to enhance their efforts, to consider.
Partner with communities to identify, prioritise, and implement delivery of vital services.
Fund initiatives that develop community leaders who, in turn, educate and organise individuals to pursue their rights and entitlements.
Support community groups that work with local government, markets, and civil society to secure funding for local projects and advocate for policies that benefit local residents.
This database consists of community-driven organisations across Kenya, South Africa, and India identified through the research Bridgespan conducted for our community-driven change report. These organisations engage with communities as partners or owners in the programming.
Read a sampling of quotes on how community-driven change has benefited a number of the communities Bridgespan visited during the research for the report, Community-Driven Change: Demonstrating Impact in Africa and India.
