This archive report was first published on 2 October 2019.
On October 2, 2019, Scott Bellows wrote about the importance of aligning donor funding with the needs of African communities.
He began by recalling a time when mild earthquakes shook East Africa in 2007, causing widespread fear and misinformation. Despite the lack of actual damage, international NGOs raised hundreds of millions of Kenya Shillings for blankets, which were not in demand due to the hot weather.
As a result, the donor funds distorted the market supply and demand forces, creating a power imbalance between the provider and recipient. The author argued that providing top-down funding for societal misfortunes and injustices can lead to a mismatch between source perceptions and use intentions.
Qualitative research by the Advocacy Accelerator in Kenya examined the challenges of non-profit work, particularly in the area of advocacy. The study found that globally-driven advocacy priorities can reduce local leadership and sustainability, while competition between non-profit organisations inhibits collaboration and alignment on bottom-up prioritisation.
The research highlighted the need for donors to work with communities on equal footing, allowing for anonymous feedback and promoting African-led advocacy agendas. By doing so, donors can empower truly African-run, based, and driven advocacy initiatives, leading to innovative solutions to local challenges.
