______________
BLOG
Commentary, opinion, and stories from across the SIVIO network on governance, civic life, and development in Africa.
-
The First Ever Community Foundations of Zimbabwe Convening: Our pledged support for community philanthropy.
The Big Bet on Engaged Communities At the beginning of this year, we coined our activities around “The Big Bet” where we went back to the drawing board and reactivated our sense of community participation in development and democratic processes. The Big Bet casts the spotlight on communities and what they do for each other and with each other. Various evidence exists to demonstrate that communities are always at the forefront of mitigating challenges that confront societies. We have seen various forms of community philanthropy and solidarity at play in a quest to alleviate poverty, in times of disaster and…
|
-
What is philanthropy?
When asked who a philanthropist is, most people will name high-net-worth individuals such as Bill and Melinda Gates, Strive Masiyiwa, Aliko Dangote, Patrice Motsepe, Mackenzie Scott or Mo Ibrahim. Often the term philanthropy is associated with the giving of large amounts of money. This is certainly one part of it, but we want to explore the term at a more rudimentary level. What are some other words that you would use to describe philanthropy either in English, or in your local language? (Join our Mentimeter to see the display below: https://www.menti.com/alk9t4udz3ox) When we asked the same question of leaders of…
|
-
Community Foundations in Zimbabwe Collaboration
You will never walk alone! That is the commitment that 27 community foundations from across Zimbabwe affirmed made today. These foundations are vastly different with different membership bases (some had 20 members, others had 2000), different focus areas (land ownership, women empowerment, digital inclusion, inclusion for those with disabilities or those with HIV and AIDS, and children protection to name a few), different geographical areas (from Mutare to Bulawayo, Kariba to Beitbridge), different experience (those operating since 1980 to another who just registered last year) and yet they recognise that there is a need for collaboration to fully ensure the…
|
-
Community Foundations Meeting – Proceedings Report
Introduction SIVIO Institute hosted a meeting of Community Foundations in Zimbabwe leaders on the 16th of May 2024. It brought together diverse organisations from across the country working in various thematic areas. A total of 28 participants attended the meeting. . SIVIO Institute’s role was to facilitate conversations and create a platform where organisations could share their experiences and learn from one another as well as weave a way of working together to advance community philanthropy and mitigate challenges confronting communities. What is Philanthropy? After introductions of getting to know the attendees, the facilitator posed a question for participants to…
|
-
Compliance is still a key factor for determining the financial inclusion of MSMEs.
But when we consider the high rate of informality in Africa, does this mean we should re-think our objectives for financial inclusion, or should we change our focus when it comes to making informal MSMEs compliant? How far have we come with financial inclusion? In the last few years, financial inclusion has become an important indicator for economic development in African economies. As of 2018 at least 20 African countries had developed and implemented national financial inclusion strategies with at least 3 more having concrete plans to implement similar policies. A common thread across most financial inclusion strategies is the…
|
-
The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Africa’s SMEs: Some Big Gaps with Lot’s of Space for Growth!
MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in Africa Micro, small, and medium enterprises (also known as MSME’s) are the vast array of startups which characterise our economies. They range from small one-man operations on the roadside or a barber’s chair or the influencer behind a computer, to larger more affluent businesses with numerous employees, robust systems, and structures. Regardless of their size and structure they play a critical role in the development of all economies and notably so in Africa. Research has shown that start-ups in Africa can employ up to 60% of the labour force Sub-Saharan economies. These entities…
|
-
SIVIO announces initiative to empower African non-profits
Originally posted in the Zimbabwe Independent: https://www.newsday.co.zw/theindependent/lifestyle-amp-arts/article/200026730/sivio-announces-initiative-to-empower-african-non-profits Posted by Khumbulani Muleya The SIVIO Institute (SI) through their Africa Giving concept will for the next 13 days be running the “Hundred for US$100 Campaign” in support of African non-profits. The policy research organisation is based in Zimbabwe and is also registered in South Africa and the USA. Through the campaign, it seeks to reach out to a hundred individuals to collectively donate US$10 000 by May 24. The money will support organisations that are working in Zimbabwean communities and at the frontlines of change across Africa. The campaign will culminate in a…
|
-
The Social Entrepreneurship Lab Has a Finalist!
In 2023 SIVIO Institute launched the Social Entrepreneurship Lab. The ‘lab’ was designed to practically walk startup founders or individuals with impactful ideas from ideation to a business establishment. The participants were chosen from across the country, to either crystallize their ideas or help them create systems leading to the establishment of a business that promotes environmental, cultural or community impact. The lab had 14 individuals at the start, and the final pitching session involved three finalists pitching their ideas to successful business leaders with vast experience in leading and establishing a social business. The three finalists of the lab…
|
-
Citizen’s Feature
Community Foundations in Zimbabwe Community philanthropy plays a crucial role in anchoring societies in Africa. It is a vehicle for empowering local communities to address pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. It involves individuals, organizations, and businesses within a community coming together to pool resources and knowledge to tackle community issues. Our study on Community Foundations of Zimbabwe helped us understand and appreciate the work done in communities by the people themselves. We saw the potential community philanthropy has in advancing local development, and the challenges and opportunities faced. In this article, we profile the major takeaways from the study.…
|
-
Philanthropic Movements for Sustainable Development in Africa
In this article, we delve into the multifaceted world of African giving, exploring the diverse issues that shape philanthropy across the continent. From grassroots initiatives to large-scale donor programs, we examine the impact of giving on communities and individuals. Giving in the Digital Age The digital age has revolutionized nearly every aspect of human life, including philanthropy. With the advent of technology and the widespread use of the internet, philanthropic efforts have been catapulted into a new era of connectivity and impact. We seek to leverage the intersection of philanthropy and the digital age, examining how technology has transformed the…
|