Challenges: Women continue to face numerous challenges that marginalize their participation in the political sphere. Gender stereotypes, lack of access, and socio-economic barriers hinder their involvement in climate negotiations. Shockingly, more than 150 countries still have laws that discriminate against women, exacerbating the need for change and gender equality.
Action: She Changes Climate campaigns for the equal inclusion of women at top levels of all climate negotiations. They actively advocate for the implementation of the updated Gender Action Plan (GAP) from COP25, calling on officials to fulfill their commitment to promoting gender equality in the UNFCCC process.
Influence: She Changes Climate provides valuable support to diplomats behind the scenes, working to appoint more women into leadership roles at Conferences of the Parties (COPs). By providing data, connections, and solutions, they contribute to improving diversity and highlight the benefits of a more inclusive leadership team.
Campaign: Through media endorsement and leveraging social media platforms, She Changes Climate galvanizes public support and opinion. They host impactful events to develop momentum and drive new thinking around gender equality in climate action. Virtual summits further amplify organizations that understand and address environmental and gender diversity issues within their respective regions.
Collaboration: She Changes Climate fosters collaboration between other gender and environmental groups. By calibrating messaging for maximum effect, they ensure a united front in advocating for gender equality in climate action. They actively listen to the voices of local activists, endorse inspiring practices, and unite diverse organizations and individuals through their informal community platform.
Amplification: Empowering women to find their own platforms and voices for gender issues that concern them is at the heart of She Changes Climate’s work. They also collaborate with change-makers from around the world, strengthening their capacity and equipping them with the necessary resources to actualize their visions for a more gender-equal world. The organization plans to co-develop a set of guiding principles that all partner organizations can champion, uniting all allies under a joint messaging strategy.
She Changes Climate firmly believes that diversity and equity in leadership are key to effective climate action that protects both people and the planet.
Join ConnectAID in supporting She Changes Climate’s efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all.
]]>Education lies at the heart of The Blue House Project, recognizing its transformative power in shaping a child’s life and future. With a strong belief in inclusivity, the project takes two important steps to ensure education reaches even the most impoverished children. Firstly, they send 70 children from disadvantaged families to the local APS school, providing them with the opportunity to learn and grow in a formal education setting. Secondly, The Blue House offers after-school tuition, creating a supportive environment that nurtures the students’ academic development.
However, the challenges faced by the families of these school children extend far beyond the classroom. Many of them live in absolute poverty, lacking proper shelter, income, and sufficient food. Recognizing these pressing needs, The Blue House Project extends its support to cover the fundamental necessities of life. Monthly food supplies, housing assistance, gas stoves, healthcare, clothing, and water tanks are provided to these families, easing their burdens and allowing them to focus on their children’s education. These crucial expenses are funded through generous donations from supporters.
One of the most impactful initiatives of The Blue House is their employment program, which empowers parents and helps them become self-sufficient. The majority of the parents in the program come from lower castes and work as musicians and cleaners, often being forced to send their children begging. By providing employment opportunities, The Blue House offers an alternative path, enabling parents to support their families with dignity. The organization sells the hand-stitched products made by these parents through their website and various European shops, ensuring that 100% of the profit goes directly to the women who crafted them.
The heartwarming actions of ConnectAID’s Youth Voice, 9 years old Nakshatra Prem, further exemplify the spirit of solidarity and compassion. Nakshatra Prem, author of the book “For Our Planet: A book on SDGs through stories,” reached out to ConnectAID to contribute to its Member’s noble cause, as part of STARKID kindness movement. Recognizing the dire conditions faced by the community living in the desert, Nakshatra Prem donated 50 waterproof tents to provide much-needed shelter. Moreover, her support which will directly come from the sells of her book extends to the education of several children within the community and empowering women through the provision of sewing machines, aligning with The Blue House’s ongoing women empowerment project.
The impact of The Blue House Project cannot be overstated. Through their collective efforts, they have succeeded in sending 70 children from low-caste families, living in tents in the desert of Pushkar, to school. These children, who previously lacked access to education, are now given the chance to learn, grow, and break free from the shackles of poverty. The generosity of sponsors like Nakshatra Prem, who fund school fees, books, and uniforms, plays a vital role in expanding the reach of this educational opportunity.
Every person who chooses to sponsor a child’s education through The Blue House Project is directly contributing to the transformation of a life. Each sponsorship ensures that another child can access the education they deserve, bringing us one step closer to a more equitable society. Through their tireless efforts, ConnectAID’s Nonprofit Member, The Blue House, is fostering a brighter future for the gypsy community living in the desert, one filled with hope, education, and empowerment.
ConnectAID’s partner, the Migration Consortium, is tirelessly working at the Ukrainian border to provide vital support to refugees and migrants. Comprising nine nonprofit organizations, the Consortium focuses on legal assistance, integration matters, and advocacy activities. Their mission is to ensure that refugees and migrants, particularly those from Ukraine, can fully enjoy their rights and freedoms. To achieve this goal and foster joint activities, experience sharing, and public discourse on migration and integration, the Migration Consortium relies on generous donations. In light of recent revelations, it is clear that more funding is urgently needed to support human rights initiatives in Ukraine.
Insufficient Funding for Human Rights Initiatives:
The Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN) has highlighted a concerning lack of funding for human rights-focused projects in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite record-breaking donations totaling approximately $14 billion in bilateral humanitarian aid from governments and philanthropic foundations, a mere 1% of this funding is directed toward human rights initiatives. This significant disparity underscores the urgent need to prioritize human rights funding in Ukraine. (Source: the New Humanitarian)
The Importance of Human Rights Funding:
Human rights grants play a pivotal role in providing equitable access to essential aid and addressing the short- and long-term impacts of conflicts on people’s fundamental rights and freedoms. Applying a human rights lens in philanthropy means considering equity, power dynamics, and the protection of rights for the most affected individuals. It involves supporting emergency relocations, ensuring women’s rights, combating racism, and addressing the specific challenges faced by marginalized communities. Human rights funding is critical not only during emergencies but also in supporting long-term solutions and empowering local civil society organizations.
The Role of the Migration Consortium:
The Migration Consortium, as ConnectAID’s trusted partner, is at the forefront of supporting refugees and migrants in Ukraine. Their comprehensive range of services includes legal aid, integration support, and advocacy activities, all aimed at empowering individuals to exercise their rights fully. By supporting the Consortium, philanthropists contribute directly to initiatives that provide crucial assistance to those who have been displaced and marginalized due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Need for Increased Funding:
Despite the vital work being carried out by the Migration Consortium and other organizations, there remains a significant funding gap for human rights initiatives in Ukraine. Currently, less than 2% of humanitarian funding directly reaches locally based NGOs. This limited support hampers the delivery of culturally grounded interventions by organizations deeply connected to the affected communities. By increasing funding for human rights initiatives, we can ensure that resources reach those most in need and facilitate long-term recovery and sustainable solutions.
How You Can Help:
Your support can make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees and migrants in Ukraine. By donating to the Migration Consortium through ConnectAID, you can contribute directly to the provision of legal assistance, integration programs, and advocacy activities. Your generosity will empower individuals to exercise their rights, facilitate their integration into society, and promote a platform for joint activities and exchange of experiences.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine calls for urgent action and increased funding for human rights-focused initiatives. ConnectAID’s partner, the Migration Consortium, is tirelessly working to support refugees and migrants, ensuring they can enjoy their rights and freedoms. By donating directly to the Consortium, you can play a vital role in empowering individuals, fostering integration, and creating a platform for joint activities and public debate on migration and integration in Poland. Together, let us bridge the funding gap and work towards a more equitable and inclusive future for all. Support the Migration Consortium today.
The Antara Foundation helps frontline health workers use and manage data to prioritize and track high-risk women and children
They build efficiency within the existing system by supporting the three frontline healthcare workers (FLWs) – ANM, ASHA, and Anganwadi workers to work as a team to identify such women and children, verify their information across departments, and prioritize and track services. To enable this, we give FLWs better tools and training and work with them to solve their daily challenges. In addition to the frontline workers, we work closely with their supervisors to build their managerial capacity and empower them to make smart decisions.
The organization builds the capacity of health workers
Insufficient knowledge and skills of health workers often act as a roadblock to quality care. TAF provides targeted training to frontline health workers and nursing staff to solve this. This ensures the proper identification and management of preventable health conditions at the village level, safer deliveries, and complication management in the labour rooms.
The organization also strengthens the individual and collective agency of rural women
Socio-economic barriers such as superstitions, social norms, and lack of awareness often deter positive health-seeking behaviour. We work with local women and community representatives to improve awareness, collectivisation, and agency. Empowered communities can address these invisible barriers and ensure the uptake of essential care.
The Antara Foundation partners with state governments to catalyze system-level change. TAF collaborates closely with communities of frontline workers – the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), Anganwadi Worker and ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife). TAF enables the use of data and problem-solving tools among frontline health workers, improves labor room standards, upskills all frontline workers and health staff and creates village-level change agents.
Find out more about TAF – Donate
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Education as an Empowering Tool:
Education has long been recognized as a powerful tool for empowering individuals and communities, and Scope for Change is firmly rooted in this belief. By providing after-school classes, the organization offers children from underserved backgrounds access to quality education beyond their regular school hours. These classes not only enhance their academic skills but also foster creativity, self-expression, and physical well-being through various artistic and physical activities.
Breaking Barriers and Embracing Inclusivity:
One notable aspect of Scope for Change is its commitment to inclusivity. While co-founded by a Sikh family member, the organization is dedicated to helping children from all walks of life, regardless of their religious affiliations. In a diverse country like India, where interfaith cooperation is of utmost importance, Scope for Change serves as a shining example of unity and solidarity. Through their work, they demonstrate that education and support should be accessible to every child, irrespective of their background.
The Impact of Scope for Change:
The impact of Scope for Change extends far beyond the classroom walls. Through their diligent efforts, they are sowing the seeds of hope and empowerment in the hearts of these young individuals, equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges of life. By investing in education and personal development, Scope for Change is providing a pathway for these children to break free from the cycle of poverty and build a better future for themselves and their communities.
Harnessing the Power of Social Media:
In today’s digital age, social media platforms play a pivotal role in raising awareness and driving social change. Scope for Change, in collaboration with ConnectAID, has recognized the power of social media to reach a wider audience and garner support for their cause. ConnectAID, a global platform for solidarity, offered Scope for Change a video made by their Founder, showcasing the organization’s remarkable work. In exchange, ConnectAID will benefit from future social media support on behalf of Scope for Change’s wide online community Together, they share the same vision of solidarity, leveraging social media to amplify their impact and create a ripple effect of positive change.
Scope for Change is transforming the lives of vulnerable children in Delhi through education, empowerment, and community support. By providing after-school classes in a range of subjects, the organization is nurturing the talents and abilities of these young individuals. Their dedication to inclusivity, regardless of religious backgrounds, highlights the importance of unity and cooperation in building a better society. In collaboration with ConnectAID, Scope for Change and their shared vision of solidarity are using social media to raise awareness, inspire support, and create a positive impact on the lives of these children and the community at large.
]]>The Issue
The world is facing an unprecedented threat to biodiversity and the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Climate change, habitat loss, and human activities are driving the decline of numerous species and compromising the health of our planet. Urgent action is required to address these challenges and create sustainable solutions for the preservation of our Climate, Environment, and Society.
Action and Impact
The Big Wild takes a proactive approach to conservation by actively collecting and annotating nature-based data using cutting-edge technology. Through their efforts, they rapidly transform raw data into actionable insights with extreme accuracy. This enables them to provide real-time information that can drive targeted conservation strategies and support decision-making processes.
A significant aspect of their work involves collaboration with local and indigenous communities. The Big Wild recognizes the value of their traditional knowledge and their role as stewards of the land. By engaging these communities, they unlock otherwise inaccessible data and empower them to contribute to viable and impactful solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), 15 (Life on Land), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Through their dedication to SDG 15 – Life on Land, The Big Wild actively contributes to the preservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity. By collecting and analyzing data on endangered wildlife, habitat degradation, and the impact of human activities, they generate crucial information that fuels conservation efforts. This emotional connection to SDG 15 drives their commitment to creating a sustainable and thriving planet for current and future generations.
The Big Wild has also undertaken a groundbreaking Wetlands project, focusing on the creation and restoration of wetlands using innovative technology and community engagement. Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that support biodiversity, provide habitat for diverse species, and contribute to water filtration and conservation. To facilitate this important work, The Big Wild has developed the Wetlands 4 Life app. This app revolutionizes how agricultural landowners and communities address environmental challenges by streamlining the process of constructing or rebuilding wetlands. With its user-friendly interface and step-by-step questionnaire, the app empowers landowners to create direct water filtration systems, reduce environmental impact, and secure cleaner water for crops, contributing to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
Through partnerships with individuals, organizations, foundations, and corporations, The Big Wild actively works towards conserving our Climate, Environment, and Society. By combining their technological expertise, collaboration, and shared vision, they strive to halt the loss of biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for all. The impact of ConnectAID’s nonprofit Member’s work is far-reaching. By providing accurate wildlife conservation data in a timely manner, they contribute to the preservation of endangered species, protection of habitats, and informed decision-making for sustainable development. Through their commitment to transparency, environmental responsibility, education, and collaboration, they aim to inspire change, nurture compassion, and drive a collective effort to safeguard our planet and its rich biodiversity.
Together with ConnectAID, we invite you to join us in supporting The Big Wild’s vital mission. Your contribution can make a significant difference in our fight against the 6th mass extinction, bringing us closer to a world where nature thrives, the environment is protected, and societies flourish in harmony with our planet.
]]>Every five minutes, a child arrives at a railway platform in India, all alone and vulnerable. Many of them are running away from poverty, abuse, and neglect. Just imagine a child hitching rides on overcrowded trains to big cities such as Jaipur, hoping to find a better life. Then picking through garbage in hopes of finding something to earn a few rupees for food. They are easy prey for child trafficking and exploitation. One of their only hopes is to be rescued by a nonprofit organization like the one Mamta Borgoyary runs in India.
FXB India Suraksha is an NGO working in 14 states in India, supporting the most vulnerable women and children. One of their projects includes a Day Care Center for street children in Jaipur, where 300 children have already been positively impacted, and 250 others have successfully returned to school thanks to FXB India Suraksha. This little haven on earth, which started in 2007, is a testament to the profound compassion with which Ms. Borgoyary and her team have helped some of the poorest children in the world.
When ConnectAID’s team toured the FXB Day Care Center and spoke with Mamta Borgoyary, what impacted them most was her story of heart-centered commitment to impacting children’s physiological and safety needs, their need for food, a safe shelter to rest, education, and recognition. “The center is essentially providing a home for the homeless children,” she said. “A physical space to sleep, eat, rest and learn. A place where they can just be themselves.”
Every day, Borgoyary’s team takes a rickshaw to the railway station to speak to the children and invite them to the daycare center. “The idea was twofold: find ways to make their lives safe…and find ways to allow them to enjoy the innocence that every child has a right to. We also nurture them so they can have a better life,” she said.
From their research and community engagement, FXB India Suraksha has now expanded its impact to influence the slum areas around the railway platform to “encourage meaningful change for the children”. They also meet with parents and schools to create a shared sense of belonging and purpose.
The idea is to ensure long-term impact by advocating with the community to ensure the children return to school with a sense of esteem while discovering a creative purpose. Mamta Borgoyary said the Day Care Center started with just offering informal education but has since evolved to teaching literacy lessons and mathematics. The children also learn about self-expression through painting, dance, and creative arts; this especially helps those who suffer from traumas or drug addictions.
“There are gems in these children, and they need to be nurtured to develop their skills,” said Borgoyary. “Change does not happen right away. This is a long-term impact, and it took ‘years and years’ to build trust with the parents and develop a relationship.”
Today, Mamta Borgoyary and her team of teachers and social workers offer after-school tutoring sessions to ensure the children continue learning and finish their education. The time spent developing relationships with the schools has increased awareness of the cognitive concerns for children who drop out and and has allowed school administrations to expand their perspective on the needs of these children, thus providing better support and education for them.
From their research and community engagement, FXB India Suraksha has now expanded their impact to influence the slum areas around the railway platform to “encourage meaningful change for the children”. They also meet with the parents and schools to create a shared sense of belonging and purpose.
The idea is to ensure long-term impact by advocating with the community to ensure the children return to school with a sense of esteem while discovering a creative purpose. Mamta Borgoyary said the Day Care Center started with just offering informal education but has since evolved to teaching literacy lessons and mathematics. The children also learn about self-expression through painting, dance, and creative arts. This especially helps those who suffer from trauma or drug addiction.
“There are gems in these children, and they need to be nurtured to develop their skills,” said Borgoyary. “Change does not happen right away. This is a long-term impact and it took ‘years and years’ to build trust with the parents and develop a relationship.”
Today, Mamta Borgoyary and her team of teachers and social workers offer after-school tutoring sessions to ensure the children continue learning and finish their education. The time spent developing relationships with the schools has increased awareness of the cognitive concerns for children who drop out and has allowed school administrations to expand their perspective on the needs of these children. These street children are going from invisible to slowly becoming future change-makers, who will in turn give back to society.
ConnectAID offers technical training and communication support to help vetted Non-Governmental Organizations like FXB India Suraksha to grow and showcase their incredible impacts on the ground. If you are an individual wanting to make a difference in vulnerable people’s lives, or if you are a non-profit organization striving for meaningful impact in tackling one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, we invite you to join ConnectAID’s network.
Together, we can
make international solidarity become a norm, and make sure non-profits like FXB India Suraksha can continue impacting the lives of our most precious resources on our planet: the children.
If you feel inspired by this impact story, please share and contribute to our actions. What we do is meaningful.
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The challenges facing the Consortium are significant. More than 4.6 million Ukrainians have fled their country since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with more than 10 million finding refuge in Poland. Countless civil society organizations have provided the refugees with the bare essentials, but there is a need for consistent and ongoing support beyond this. Host agencies must create sustainable social, legal, and economic structures that foster the integration of refugees into society, especially on local levels. This requires professionals to meet a wide array of needs, from education to law, housing, medical care, social services, and more.
The Consortium’s members have responded to this crisis with a range of services and initiatives aimed at helping refugees. During the first month of the Russian invasion, member organizations offered their help to more than 23,000 Ukrainian refugees in many different ways. For example, the Polish Hospitality Foundation facilitated the transport of the most vulnerable people from Ukraine to Poland. The Polish Migration Forum set up a network of 20 psychologists working in refugee shelters in Warsaw. The Our Choice Foundation started a 24/7 refugee hotline in Ukrainian language, and the Homo Faber Association manages a humanitarian aid center in Lublin together with the city hall. The Association for Legal Intervention set up an online platform addressing all legal questions in three languages (Ukrainian, English, and Polish) available to refugees and volunteers.
The Migration Consortium’s assistance goes beyond one-on-one meetings and has a systemic approach. Countless refugees have benefited from their collective and coordinated assistance. The Consortium also aims to work together to offer general and systemic solutions to refugees in Poland. They present ideas and good practices of integration to the local and national administration, expose new issues when they appear, and provide tools to mitigate them. They support local governments and communities to help them integrate the refugees, advise and coordinate the international humanitarian response in Poland, and communicate their integration strategies with neighboring countries and the European Union.
The impact of the Migration Consortium’s work is threefold. Firstly, they offer direct support to immigrants by providing them with different types of assistance tailored to their individual needs. Secondly, they strengthen member organizations and future partners within the Consortium to make their work more efficient and sustainable. Finally, they advise Poland and other neighboring countries on refugee admission strategies, showing and teaching all operating governmental and non-governmental bodies good practices of humanitarian responses.
In conclusion, the Migration Consortium’s work is making a significant impact on the lives of refugees in Poland. Their collective and coordinated approach has enabled them to respond effectively to the challenges posed by the ongoing crisis, providing vital support and assistance to those in need. The Consortium’s commitment to long-term, sustainable solutions for refugee integration is inspiring, and their efforts offer hope for a better future for those affected by this crisis.
Challenges in Rwanda:
Despite progress in human and economic development since the aftermath of the 1994 civil war and genocide, Rwanda still faces significant challenges. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the need for improvements in key areas such as infant mortality, maternal health, education, and the reduction of extreme poverty. The nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of the genocide and the high proportion of orphans resulting from the AIDS virus. Over half of Rwanda’s population currently lives below the poverty line. Furthermore, the country’s fragile economy faces constant fluctuations in international market prices and extreme weather conditions. Surviving the impact of COVID-19 while finding sustainable sources of growth remains a pressing challenge.
Action and Impact of FXB Rwanda:
FXB Rwanda has been at the forefront of community development programs aimed at lifting people out of poverty since 1994. Their integrated approach tackles the multidimensional causes of poverty by simultaneously addressing five key drivers: lack of nutrition, health, education, housing, and income.
Through a comprehensive package of services, FXB Rwanda provides families with the tools to escape poverty. Families receive support to establish income-generating activities, such as microenterprises, along with an initial grant, access to food, skills training, coaching, group support, healthcare, proper housing, and education for their children. The organization’s goal is to empower families to meet their daily needs and become socially and economically self-sufficient. Over a three-year period, families receive ongoing support, gradually increasing their income to achieve financial stability.
FXB Rwanda has so far successfully implemented around 50 programs with in diverse aforementioned areas of interventions. Through its implemented programs, FXB Rwanda has directly or indirectly reached more than 2.5 million of beneficiaries all across Rwanda with its interventions. The positive impact extends beyond the selected families, reaching surrounding communities and creating a ripple effect of transformation.
ConnectAID’s Involvement: FXB Rwanda’s impactful work has garnered the attention and support of ConnectAID, as one of their community Advocates volunteered with the organization in 2019. This collaboration emphasizes the shared vision of solidarity and the commitment to alleviating poverty and empowering vulnerable communities.
Looking Ahead: With the support of individuals like you, FXB Rwanda aims to uplift some of the poorest families in Rwanda, enabling them to escape extreme poverty sustainably. By providing assistance during one of the most challenging periods in history, FXB Rwanda strives to create a snowball effect that will positively impact generations to come.
FXB Rwanda’s integrated approach and unwavering dedication to empowering vulnerable families in Rwanda sets a powerful example. Through their comprehensive programs, they address the root causes of poverty and provide families with the tools and resources they need to thrive. With ongoing support from ConnectAID and compassionate individuals worldwide, FXB Rwanda is making significant strides in breaking the cycle of poverty and building a brighter future for the people of Rwanda.
]]>Its mission : The Action Agenda for Climate. People and Nature. Partnership and coalition building. Sustainable and resilient food systems. Education and leadership training for youth and adults to become change makers. She changes Climate.
The next decade is critical for climate, people and nature. Climate change is one of the most challenging issues ever faced by humanity. If we don’t act quickly to deeply transform our societies, future generations will be affected by irreversible impacts.
Climate & Sustainability has been facilitating, growing and coordinating the Planetary Emergency Partnership as a platform of collaboration for change-makers.
Our vision is focused on partnership building through “radical collaboration”, connecting people and organizations that share the same sense of urgency. Partners are leveraging positive impacts by working together as One team for One Planet, going beyond institutional boundaries to accelerate action and achieve a greater positive impact for people and the planet.
Climate & Sustainability has a track record of leading and managing successful large policy and advocacy initiatives, including on green finance at the G20 Summit hosted by France in 2012, the Talanoa Dialogue raising climate ambition at the UNFCCC COP23 Presidency in 2017, the Nature-Based Solutions Coalition at the UN Climate Action Summit in NY in 2019, and most recently as key supporter for the endorsement of the Leaders Pledge for Nature by 80 Heads of States and the EU.
The organization is particularly focused on partnership building, sustainable and resilient food systems, education and youth empowerment. It is based in Nyon, Switzerland, and has an international reach.
For more information, visit the organization’s website.