GIFE - Building a ten-year vision for Brazilian social investment

The landscape of philanthropy in Brazil is undergoing structural change because of shifts in the social and economic environment. In the midst of the worldwide financial crisis, the country moved up to ‘investment grade’ in the portfolios of some of the most prestigious global credit rating agencies. At the same time, a new middle class is arising, creating a vast market and multiplying the local millionaires.

CIVICUS - involved in two worldwide campaigns

CIVICUS participated in the consultative meeting preparing for the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10). The meeting was held at the United Nations Volunteers’ headquarters in Bonn, Germany on 22 and 23 October. A group of over 40 participants from different organizations met and drew up an action plan for the lead-up to the campaign year in 2011.

African Grantmakers Network - A new force in Africa

After many years of consultations, planning and preparations, the African Grantmakers Network (AGN) was finally launched in Accra, Ghana in July 2009. Formed by major African grantmakers, the network is a platform for collective action, with potential to reverse some of the imbalances of the past. At the same time, it is hoped that AGN can propel Africa’s development through an effective use of philanthropic resources.

APPC contributes to publication on global philanthropy

APPC board members reflect on the role of philanthropy in addressing regional and national issues in APPC’s contributory chapter to the upcoming book on global philanthropy to be published by the Network of European Foundations’ Mercator Fund. Entitled ‘Creating the Future through Philanthropy’, the chapter also discusses the impact of the global financial downturn on philanthropic activities and responses to the crisis in the Asia Pacific region.

NEF - New PING project focuses on poverty

Poverty is a widespread concern throughout Europe, with about 16 per cent of the European population and around 19 per cent of children in the EU living on or below the poverty line. Raising awareness about this crucial issue is the goal of the PING (Poverty Is Not a Game) project, which aims to sensitize youngsters using their own channels of communication in their own language through a video game. The point of the game is to depict the experience of being poor via a role play, in order to sketch out the problems involved and thus avoid the stigmatization of poor people.