A turning point for African NGOs In recent years, Africa has witnessed a quiet but significant shift in the development landscape. The gradual withdrawal of traditional donors, due to shifting geopolitical priorities, domestic pressures in donor countries, or the growing critique of aid dependency, has led to many African civil society organizations confronting a stark reality: donor support is no longer guaranteed. Like many community-based organizations across Africa, the end of this support invites a critical question: what happens when external aid ends? The answer is not always optimistic. For many grassroots initiatives, the withdrawal of donor support means delayed projects, unfulfilled...

This blog was written by Shila Bhatta and Nishchhal Kharal of Freedom Studio Nepal, following a visit to Nebraska  hosted by the Nebraska Community Foundation in July / August 2025.    When we arrived in Nebraska, we were initially struck by how different it is from Nepal, yet at the same time, how similar our experiences are. Despite the vast geographical and cultural differences, we face many shared challenges like youth out-migration, the decline of towns and villages in search of better opportunities, and the diminishing sense of community belongingness. However, what stood out to us was the hope and resilience found in...