Empowering Grassroots Leaders to Drive Transformative Change
In a world burdened by entrenched inequalities, environmental degradation, and systemic oppression, the path to a more just and sustainable future rests upon the shoulders of courageous changemakers. The Open Society Foundations, a global network dedicated to building vibrant and inclusive democracies, has long recognized the power of investing in visionary leaders who dare to challenge the status quo and pioneer innovative solutions to complex social challenges.
Across Africa, the Open Society Foundations have identified a new generation of trailblazers – individuals with deep-rooted connections to their communities, unwavering commitment to social justice, and bold ideas for catalyzing systemic change. Through strategic grantmaking and capacity-building initiatives, the foundations are empowering these grassroots leaders to amplify their impact and inspire transformative progress.
Nurturing the Next Wave of Social Innovators
“We are delighted to welcome these directors to our incredible community of changemakers,” said Alethia Jones, director of the Open Society Fellowship Program, which includes the New Executives Fund. “Robust, early support from funders gives new leaders a chance to realize their bold visions and have an outsized impact.”
The New Executives Fund, a competitive grant program launched by the Open Society Foundations in 2013, has awarded over $12.8 million to 132 emerging nonprofit leaders across the globe. In 2021 alone, 14 new grantees from six countries, including Argentina, South Africa, and Mexico, joined this esteemed network of visionaries.
These individuals, representing diverse backgrounds and identities that have been historically underrepresented in positions of leadership, are spearheading transformative initiatives in areas such as LGBTQI rights advocacy, digital rights, gender equality, community-centered policymaking, and criminal justice reform.
By providing these new executives with flexible, multi-year funding, the Open Society Foundations empower them to invest in their own professional development, organizational sustainability, and collaborative problem-solving. This approach recognizes that empowering and supporting social innovators is essential for driving lasting change.
“Our hope is that this support can offer these leaders the space to dream and collaboratively imagine new possibilities for their organizations, together with their staffs, boards, and constituents,” said Bipasha Ray, project director of the New Executives Fund. “During this current moment in history, we need to encourage and reward bold thinking more than ever.”
Fostering Collaborative Ecosystems for Social Impact
The Open Society Foundations’ commitment to nurturing changemakers extends beyond individual grants. The organization also invests in strengthening the broader ecosystem of social innovation, recognizing that transformative change often emerges through the synergistic efforts of diverse stakeholders.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Skoll Foundation, the Open Society Foundations are creating platforms for social entrepreneurs to connect, share knowledge, and forge collaborative initiatives. The Skoll Foundation’s vision of “social entrepreneurship as a team sport” aligns closely with the Open Society Foundations’ belief that sustainable solutions to global challenges require innovative cross-sector alliances.
“We identify people and organizations with innovations creating scalable positive impact,” the Skoll Foundation states. “We invest at their inflection point towards scale, our bet that these social entrepreneurs have charted a path to fundamentally transform unjust systems.”
By nurturing peer-to-peer networks and facilitating access to strategic resources, the Open Society Foundations and its partners are empowering a new generation of social innovators to tackle complex, interconnected problems from multiple angles – from disrupting unjust systems and movement-building to improving policies and practices.
Championing Inclusive, Community-Driven Solutions
At the heart of the Open Society Foundations’ grantmaking approach is a deep commitment to equity, amplifying the voices and experiences of marginalized communities. The organization recognizes that lasting social progress can only be achieved by embracing inclusive, community-centric models of change.
“We partner with social entrepreneurs and other social innovators who have lived or learned experience in the challenges they are addressing,” the Skoll Foundation explains. “These organizations and leaders mobilize collective efforts to advance their vision and drive durable and lasting change.”
In Africa, the Open Society Foundations have supported a diverse array of grassroots leaders and organizations, including ActionAid South Africa, which seeks to address systemic drivers of poverty, injustice, and inequality through community-centered initiatives. The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, another grantee, provides legal assistance to individuals and communities fighting to protect their socioeconomic rights, including access to housing, water, and a healthy environment.
By empowering these locally rooted changemakers, the Open Society Foundations are challenging top-down, one-size-fits-all approaches to development and catalyzing transformative, community-driven solutions that address the unique needs and aspirations of marginalized populations.
Investing in the Future of Africa’s Open Societies
As the world grapples with complex, interconnected crises – from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the escalating climate emergency – the need for bold, collaborative action has never been more urgent. The Open Society Foundations’ steadfast commitment to supporting visionary leaders and strengthening the social innovation ecosystem in Africa offers a glimmer of hope in these challenging times.
“We need to encourage and reward bold thinking more than ever,” as Bipasha Ray aptly stated. By continuing to invest in the next generation of changemakers, the Open Society Foundations are laying the groundwork for a more just, equitable, and sustainable future – one that is built upon the power of inclusive, community-driven solutions.
As the world watches with bated breath, the transformative potential of these grassroots leaders shines brightly, illuminating a path forward that promises to uplift the most marginalized and create lasting, systemic change. The Joint Action for Water blog proudly stands alongside the Open Society Foundations in championing these changemakers and their vital work to build a more open, prosperous, and resilient Africa.
