Participatory grantmaking helps to shift power relations in Mexico

Amidst the resurgence of authoritarianism and rising conservatism in many countries around the world, an increasing number of human rights funders are doubling their efforts to support resilient social movements. Because these movements are sparked and fueled by those who are most affected by conditions of inequality, and because grassroots activists have a firsthand understanding of local contexts, their priorities and strategies cannot be defined by funders or other external actors. Therefore, one of the most strategic actions that progressive funders can take is to turn over their decision-making power to social movements and trust in the expertise of the activists doing the work on the ground. But how? 

Read the full article on openglobalrights.org (article also available in Spanish) 

Jenny Barry is the Head of Development at Fondo Semillas. She holds a master’s degree in Gender and Development from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, England, and for over ten years she has dedicated her career to the promotion of women’s rights.