Swarovski Foundation director Jakya Rahman-Corey says there is a power imbalance between funders and grantees remains rife in philanthropy.  ‘Unfortunately, there is a power imbalance between funders and organisations on the ground and to recognise that goes back to the object of the grant-giving body – what is it trying to achieve?’, she told Civil Society.   Born and raised in the UK, Rahman-Corey was inspired to ‘give back’ after witnessing ‘extreme poverty’ during a …

Reflecting on discussions held in Belfast, framed by the question ‘Countering Violent Conflict and Polarisation: How Can Donors Help?’ Melanie Greenberg (Humanity United) praised the event – ‘I think it was for creative imagination, moral support, celebration, but also for some serious reflection.’  Held in February 2024, the gathering was timely given global events.  Some 200 participants, from a wide range of regions and organisations, delivered a vibrancy and sense of urgency to the issues …

Nigeria has unveiled a new online giving platform that it hopes will bring in donors to support and invest in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy transitions and the startup sector.  Announced at this year’s African Diaspora Investment Symposium held at Silicon Valley, the ‘i philanthropy’ platform is part of a push by Nigerian president Bola Tinubu in bringing expertise from the African diaspora in a bid to make one million jobs in the next four years.  …

Impact investors have united to voice concerns about the European Union’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), saying the regulation doesn’t recognise the difference between positive impact investment and investments in sustainable practices. The SFDR was created to enhance transparency around sustainability-related investment claims, prevent greenwashing and to channel capital flows toward sustainable economic activities. But it needs more clarity, according to our survey of 21 impact fund managers. Late in 2023, along with the Global Steering …