Shrinking development funding is exposing the limits of traditional, top-down models of civil society support and opening space for more decentralised, locally led approaches, argues Accountability Lab in the latest edition of Beyond the Sandbox. The edition brings together perspectives on strengthening local civic infrastructure, rethinking microgrants and building more equitable relationships between donors and grassroots organisations. Drawing on experiences from Nepal and discussions with philanthropic actors, it highlights the importance of flexible funding, trust-based partnerships and recognising the knowledge and capacities of locally led organisations. It also examines lessons from Nepal’s youth-led mobilisation, emphasising meaningful collaboration between governments and young people. Together, these contributions encourage funders and civil society actors to reconsider how resources, decision-making power and accountability are distributed in order to strengthen long-term resilience. Read more here.
Source: Accountability Lab