Announcing the 2024 / 2025 #ShiftThePower Fellows

We are excited to announce the third cohort of the #ShiftThePower Fellowship! This includes 15 global change-makers from 12 countries, each with their own unique backgrounds and visions for change, representing varied efforts to transform communities and challenge existing power dynamics in international development and philanthropy. The Fellows were selected from a pool of over 1,100 applicants, illustrating a continued interest in spaces like the #ShiftThePower Fellowship for global network-weaving opportunities. 

The Fellowship will focus specifically on the role, potential of, and emerging practices associated with community philanthropy as a strategy for shifting, sharing and building power. The final output of the Fellowship will be to contribute to a body of new and existing knowledge in the form of research papers by the Fellows, which will be presented at a Symposium on community philanthropy in October 2025.

The ten-month Fellowship is an experimental approach aimed at strengthening the collective “weave” between change-makers across various ecosystems, and building the supportive architecture that underpins the global #ShiftThePower movement. The Fellowship emphasizes elevating individual leadership alongside organizational leadership, recognizing the pivotal role individuals play in driving social change.

The #ShiftThePower Fellowship forms part of the larger Giving for Change programme funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which seeks to strengthen community philanthropy as a form of, and force for, freedom of expression and rights claiming.

2024 / 2025 #ShiftThePower Fellows

Naro Alonzo: Naro is a Filipino activist, story-weaver and currently serves as a tagahabi/psychosocial support specialist with Keri: Caring for Activists, a collective providing mental health and well-being support to Filipino social justice defenders in The Philippines. Naro previously served as a Resilience Fellow for the Global Initiative Against Trans-national Organized Crime, designing trauma-informed interventions against extractivism. Her research question will centre on collective care and community solidarity approaches to resourcing, learning from Indigenous, land, and environmental defenders and movements from the Philippines. “I am looking forward to disturbing, disrupting, and dismantling (neo)colonial systems of power in the development space, and contributing towards the healing of systems from colonial and imperial trauma, by reimagining how philanthropy and development could look like beyond the oppressive infrastructure that has become our comfort zones, while centering the well-being of activists and defenders.”

Adior Ibrahim Awok: Adior is the Governance and Inclusion Officer at Cohere in Kenya, where she advocates for refugee rights and increased agency of marginalized communities in the humanitarian sector. Her work also sees her leading the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) discussions on privilege, fragility, organizational culture, and navigating restrictive funding conditions. Adior’s research will focus on the following framing question: what are the best practices for building trust, agency and equitable partnerships between local communities and global philanthropic institutions? She hopes to deepen her understanding of community philanthropy and explore themes of trust-building within the #ShiftThePower movement, leading to more meaningful community transformation as a strategy for shifting power.

Lena Bheeroo: Lena is a facilitator, speaker, organizer, and advocate from the United Kingdom, dedicated to creating organizational cultures rooted in care, justice, equity and inclusion. As the lead for anti-racism and decolonization at Bond, she collaborates with members, global partners, funders, government departments and movements to reimagine the international development sector. She is a co-author of the reports Racism, Power, and Truth: Experiences of People of Colour in International Development and Justice-led Approaches to Global Development, setting out a new vision for global development that has justice, equity and sustainability at its heart. Lena’s research paper will centre around trust and sustainability and reimagining systems and practices to dismantle structural inequities to create sustainable change. “I have a profound belief in the transformative power of feminist leadership, collective care and justice, setting a bold vision for a global sector that centres justice and equity in every action.”

Éva Fekete: Éva currently serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Labor Café (Tabulaplaza Foundation) an open community space that has been operating in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, since 2014 strictly on donations from community members. She is also a founding member of the Local Threads Community Foundation, one of the first ten community foundations in Hungary. As a current PhD student at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), her research focuses on the impact of community spaces on local community and social capital. For the #ShiftThePower Fellowship, Éva’s research paper would further build on this work with a framing question – how does the creation of a common purpose help a community to move from a regressive state to active citizenship? “I want and hope to contribute to the #ShiftThePower movement with my 30 years of professional experience and my embeddedness in the Hungarian non-profit sector, together with my critical and self-reflective vision. I believe that change starts at the grassroots and that independent, active local communities coalesce into a new social culture.” 

Graciela Hopstein: Graciela is a consultant, professor, and researcher from Brazil and has spent her career focusing on socio-environmental and social justice issues, community development, and monitoring and evaluation. Graciela previously served as the Executive Director of Instituto Rio (2012 – 2016) and more recently as Executive Director of Rede Comuá (2017 – 2024). She is currently a board member of Casa Fluminense and FunBEA. She has written extensively on Brazilian public policies, social movements, democracy and philanthropy, including this recent co-authored article on The Lack of Direct and Flexible Funding for Human Rights in the Global South and East: Reflections on the Brazilian Scenario. Graciela’s research paper will focus on reflecting on the relationship between democracy and philanthropy, mapping experiences and arrangements (collaborative, participatory and multi-actor) in which philanthropy has contributed to the creation of local solutions from an intersectional perspective to overcome crises. “Being part of the Fellowship [will provide] the space for collective construction of thoughts and actions in the context of the #ShiftThePower movement…it is essential to create dynamics that allow not only for deep reflection, but also to provide agile and urgent responses for the construction of creative alternatives in the face of a system and paradigm that show clear signs of exhaustion.”

Facundo Ibarlucia: With 13 years of experience accompanying remote rural communities in Argentina, Facundo has dedicated his career to developing and implementing diverse technologies that foster knowledge communities grounded in local co-design. Facundo currently serves as the Director of the Rural Communities Projects Bank in Argentina, an initiative that supports sustainable development for vulnerable populations by mobilizing local resources and partnerships. His work emphasizes inclusive, participatory methodologies that empower communities to drive their own progress and build resilience. Facundo’s research paper will focus on the role of digital inclusivity in empowering rural communities, specifically how digital tools can enhance connectivity and foster collaborative knowledge-sharing in rural areas, ultimately contributing to more sustainable socio-environmental initiatives. “I look forward to learning new strategies for participatory decision-making and exploring frameworks that will help me deepen our efforts in rural Argentina. This opportunity will be invaluable for expanding the tools and knowledge needed to enhance digital inclusivity and support sustainable local development.”

Doel Jaikishen: Doel is the Senior Manager, Partnerships and Communications at Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action in India, where her work focuses on communications and narrative shifts for social change and innovative partnerships to respond to complex social justice needs and concerns. In 2022, Doel received a fellowship from the Indian School of Development Management for her research on Big Bets and Bugbears for Social Justice: Enablers and Demotivators for Indian Philanthropy Today. Since 2024, Doel has been part of the Resource Alliance Leadership Programme, bringing together social impact leaders globally for better collaboration. Doel’s research paper will centre around the framing question: what are the key conditions and factors preventing private philanthropic foundations in India from prioritizing community philanthropy, particularly in the areas of justice and rights? “For the past two years, I have been grappling with questions of how to strengthen grassroots resource mobilization and community-led narratives for change. I’m really looking forward to interacting with change-makers globally, to build my perspectives further, contribute to the discussions, and seek models that can be adapted for local contexts.” 

Hellen Kuria: At the Kenya Community Development Foundation, Hellen leads the Community Voice and Philanthropy programme to promote the growth of locally-led philanthropy and develop advocacy strategies for local and grassroots organizations to strengthen the collective voice of communities in development and governance through community-led giving. Hellen sees herself as a “Gen-Z at heart” and a proponent of social movements for collective action in Africa. Her research paper will attempt to answer the questions: what role does community philanthropy play in addressing systemic inequalities, power imbalance, and challenging the ecosystem, and how can these approaches be expanded to build collective power and long-term resilience? “The Fellowship resonates with my passion for advancing conversations about putting communities at the centre of development and the need to bridge the gap between development actors and communities in the localization and #ShiftThePower movements – helping empower local communities to assume more power while addressing their own needs.” 

Vica K. Larasati: Vica is the Co-Founder and Executive Director at Qbukatabu in Indonesia, a feminist-queer organization that uses art as a medium for activism. Vica was previously the National Coordinator at Youth Interfaith Forum on Sexuality (YIFoS), a youth organization that focused on building peace within the diverse faith and sexual identities through meaningful youth participation and youth-adult partnerships. Vica also currently volunteers at the National Commission on Violence Against Women and engages in church services, particularly for children and youth. Vica’s research paper will focus on how knowledge management can contribute to the sustainability of feminist-queer communities, organizations, and movements in Indonesia, hoping that the paper can be turned into a new learning tool to further deepen understanding of feminist-queer perspectives and act as a reference guide for organizers.

Ntombi Mcoyi: Ntombi is the Human Rights Programme Manager at Africa Unite in South Africa, which focuses on building social cohesion and human rights communities. Ntombi has over 14 years of experience in conflict mediation and facilitating transformative initiatives towards community and leadership development. Ntombi has contributed her mental health expertise to survivors of gender-based violence and torture, including facilitating initiatives to promote social cohesion between diverse groups in South Africa. “I love the idea of co-creating a preferred future, a life where individual and collective strengths are valued and used towards creating a better life for all. I believe that by being a part of #ShiftThePower Fellowship, I will gain additional tools and skills that I can contribute towards strengthening community development and social cohesion. The overarching question that I bring with me to the Fellowship is: what are the strategies for shifting power within a capitalist framework?” Ntombi’s research paper will focus on the steps to eradicate poverty within a capitalist society / structure, and how to shift power within fear-based and gang-led communities.

Snehlata (Sneh) Nath: Sneh is an activist, a trained development professional, and co-founder of Keystone Foundation, which works on sustainable development and conservation issues with indigenous people in India. A recipient of the Jamnalal Bajaj Award and the Nari Shakti Puraskar, she has been working in the field of eco-development, livelihoods, and sustainability among tribal people of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in India. As part of her Fellowship, Sneh is interested in exploring the changing landscape of giving and philanthropy in India and its causes, attempting to answer what the barriers are for donors to work with communities. In addition, the Fellowship will provide an opportunity for Sneh to reflect more critically on the role of Keystone Foundation and the types of relationships and partnerships it forms with local groups, governments and community leaders – including how these relationships can inform new measurements of success in a more participatory manner.

June Omune: An Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and the Grants and Partnerships Manager at Dignitas, June is passionate about human-centered, participatory development and through her work strives to contribute to a just and equitable society. A former Metis Fellow, June used that experience to advocate for the rights of children with disabilities and to address barriers that exist for them. With her research paper for the Fellowship, June hopes to explore how to unlock local philanthropy, focusing on key questions such as how to create better information flows between local philanthropists and the social causes rooted in their communities. Additionally, June will examine the role of communities in shaping financing models that impact their livelihoods. “I’m excited to be part of the #ShiftThePower Fellowship programme as it offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with fellow researchers and practitioners who are dedicated to reimagining philanthropy while strengthening and centering local voices.”

Era Shrestha: As a development practitioner, Era has been working closely with civil society organizations at the forefront of building social movements for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly women, marginalized ethnic and caste groups, and persons with disabilities in Nepal. She currently serves on the board of Tewa – Women’s Fund of Nepal, a women’s fund promoting community philanthropy for an equitable, just and peaceful society. Era’s research paper will explore the acceptance, willingness, and preparedness of organizations to shift power, specifically with feminist organizations who often find themselves negotiating for space (and power) within the broader funding ecosystem. This research question would also apply to individuals – what does it mean to hold power in one’s journey; what would it take to get there?

Karolina Soliar: Karolina is a communications professional with extensive experience in the NGO sector, focusing on advocacy and community-driven initiatives. Most recently, she has successfully coordinated campaigns to localize resources in Ukraine on behalf of the National Network of Local Philanthropy Development, where she serves as the Advocacy Manager. A Konrad Adenauer Foundation scholarship recipient, Karolina combines her academic background in Public Relations with hands-on expertise in stakeholder engagement, strategic communication and project management to drive impactful change. Karolina’s research paper will focus on exploring how networking and community building between local organizations and INGOs can foster solidarity and mutual aid. “I applied for this Fellowship to deepen my understanding of community philanthropy and its potential to drive systemic change. The concepts of locally-led response and shifting the power in the humanitarian system are relatively new to Ukrainian society. This Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to advance these practices and contribute to meaningful change in the sector.”

Pham Truong Son: Son started his career in community development when he participated in health communication activities at a local coffee shop under the Department of Health and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in Vietnam in 1996. He currently serves as the Director of the Tinh Than Foundation, an organization that supports micro-credit for the urban poor in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He previously served as the Deputy Director of the LIN Center for Community Development, specializing in supporting non-profit organizations, volunteers, and donors to promote sustainable development in Vietnam. Son’s research paper will address strategies around shrinking civic space, particularly in Vietnam, and explore the question of how to shift from a charity mind-set to one of community philanthropy.