Our mission is to support collective action for community resilience.
How we create change
We are working toward a world where the most marginalized members of society have a powerful and sustainable avenue to collectively build the future they want for themselves and their communities.
Three mutually reinforcing lines of work — programming with local actors, evidence that stands up to scrutiny, and the policy relationships that turn both into system change.
People-First Programming
We support local actors and the organizations that work alongside them to build stronger systems, strengthen governance, and develop locally led solutions that can grow and endure.
Research
We generate rigorous evidence about what works, helping partners, funders, and policymakers make better-informed decisions about how resources and power are directed.
Advocacy and Policy
We build trusted relationships with governments, donors, and other decision-makers and use evidence to influence the policies, funding, and systems that enable locally led change.
A holistic focus on collective action and empowerment drives transformative change.
When we invest in the agency of local actors, communities are better positioned to create lasting change, build resilience, and address poverty from the inside out.
12-21%
More cost-efficient programming delivered by local organizations than by UN agencies.
From our Passing the Buck research — evidence of the potential of shifting resources and power toward local actors.
Support locally led solutions that empower communities to shape their own futures.
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Stay in the loop with the latest evidence, stories and opportunities from the Self Help Group movement.