Interview with Gaelle Mogli, Founder of ConnectAID: Reflecting Commitment to the Humanitarian World

At ConnectAID, we believe that the key to effective humanitarian action is collaboration. That’s why we’ve built a network of networks that connects organizations and individuals working in the field with the communities they serve. Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with our team and learn more about the work we’re doing to empower local communities around the world. Read the following interview of our Founder, Gaëlle Mogli. 

Q: What inspired the creation of ConnectAID?

A: ConnectAID was created in response to the growing need for effective collaboration between humanitarian organizations and local communities. We saw that there was a gap between the resources and expertise that organizations could offer and the needs and aspirations of the people they were trying to help. By creating a platform that connects humanitarians and sustainable development actors together, we hope to bridge this gap and create more sustainable, effective solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

Q: How does ConnectAID reflect your commitment to the humanitarian world?

A: With over 20 years of experience in the sustainable development sector, my dedication to promoting positive change and empowering vulnerable communities has been unwavering. My journey in the humanitarian world began after completing my studies in the United States and working as a journalist in Latin America. While researching the rights of Indigenous people, I discovered the importance of sustainable development and decided to devote my career to it. Over the years, I worked with UNICEF and various United Nations agencies, undertaking field missions across continents such as Nepal, Malawi, Vanuatu, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Romania, and more. However, I realized that there was still a critical need for more purpose, solidarity, collaboration, visibility, and people who care. To address these needs, I founded ConnectAID, an organization that reflects my commitment to making a positive impact on the humanitarian world. Today, there are over 50 of us at ConnectAID, with a reach of millions of individuals.

Q: How does ConnectAID work?

A: ConnectAID is both a community and an online platform that allows humanitarians to connect with each others around the world. Organizations can use our networks to showcase their projects and initiatives, share updates and news, and it helps them raise funds for their work. At the same time, individuals and communities can use ConnectAID to connect with organizations that share their goals and priorities, learn more about the work that’s being done in their area, and support the causes they care about.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges facing humanitarian work today, and how is ConnectAID addressing them?

A: One of the biggest challenges facing humanitarian work today is the lack of effective collaboration between organizations and the communities they serve. Too often, organizations come into a community with preconceived ideas about what needs to be done, without taking the time to understand the local context or engage with community members. This can lead to projects that are unsustainable, ineffective, or even harmful. ConnectAID is addressing this challenge by creating a platform that allows for more meaningful, two-way communication between organizations and communities. By facilitating dialogue and collaboration, we hope to create more effective solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

Q: How can individuals and organizations get involved with ConnectAID?

A: There are many ways to get involved with ConnectAID! Organizations can join as NGO Members on our platform and share their work with our community. Foundations can work with us to in tern support their NGOs on the ground. They can also use ConnectAID to communicate about their projects and connect with individuals and other organizations working in the same area. Individuals can use ConnectAID to support the causes they care about, learn more about the work being done in their area, and connect with organizations and other supporters. We believe that everyone has a role to play in creating a better world, and we’re excited to work with individuals and organizations to make that vision a reality.