What are the “burning issues” community philanthropy is responding to around the world?

Supporting environmental activists in Mexico who face a climate of violence and insecurity. Exploring the use of shared spaces in Northern Ireland to address issues of disadvantage and division, particularly across religious affiliation. Strengthening the capacities of youth groups, encouraging them to become more active and positive contributors to their communities, in Kosovo.

In early 2016, when the GFCF opened our call for proposals for “Burning Issues” grants – in part to better understand the issues GFCF partners are grappling with in their communities – these were just a few of the topics that came up. Despite the enormous range of issues being addressed by community philanthropy around the world, as well as the organizational differences (in terms of forms, cultures, sizes, etc.) of the 13 organizations that ultimately received grants totalling $164,486 USD, there were strong similarities across the cohort: a willingness to take on unpopular social justice issues, with a specific focus on involving socially excluded and marginalized populations in addressing the issues affecting them; striving to really listen, and better understand the communities in question; and, readiness to take on a challenge, no matter how large, daunting or dangerous.

A full list of grants is included below.

Covasna CF (Romania) will continue its environmental work with its grant

2016 GFCF Burning Issues Grants  

• Banská Bystrica Community Foundation (Slovakia): Initiate and support programmes and activities that will help community residents, particularly young people, to better understand and appreciate the value of diverse communities. 

• Bucharest Community Foundation (Romania): Pilot the Vital Signs methodology and program cycle in Bucharest. 

• Centre of Social Technologies “Garant” (Russia): Contribute to the development of philanthropy in local communities, through the mapping and training of local actors.

• Community Development Foundation Western Cape (South Africa): Convene a series of community dialogues with a view to better understanding the issues the community is grappling with. 

• Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland): Explore the barriers to the shared use of space within Northern Ireland.

• Covasna Community Foundation (Romania): Engage the local community more actively and effectively around the issue of environmental protection.

• FASOL – Fondo Acción Solidaria, A.C (Mexico): Assist grassroots groups in strengthening their capacities in order to address the climate of violence and insecurity they face in Mexico.

• Forum for Civic Initiatives (FIQ) (Kosovo): Work with informal youth groups to increase their civic engagement.

• ICom – Instituto Comunitário Grande Florianópolis (Brazil): Strengthen the State’s Movement of Homeless People in Greater Florianópolis.

• Moloda Gromada (Ukraine): Further develop the Beacon platform, with a view to increasing citizen participation around the community’s burning issues.

• Monteverde Community Fund (Costa Rica): Develop a youth fund, supervised by youth for youth.

• Tuzla Community Foundation (Bosnia & Herzegovina): Initiate discussions about possible solutions for the integration of the Roma community in Kiseljak.

• Varna Community Foundation (Bulgaria): Stimulate the integration of Roma people and other marginalized minorities into the Varna community through higher education.