Month: September 2024

At RACI, we recognize the value and impact of the work carried out by our member organizations, and one of them is the Hora de Obrar Foundation. During our recent visit, we had the opportunity to talk with their team and gain in-depth insight into their work. With over a decade of experience, the foundation has stood out in promoting sustainable development, gender equity, human rights, and the fight against climate change, contributing to the strengthening of various communities.

Throughout its history, Hora de Obrar has focused on building solid community processes. Through its five fundamental pillars—human rights, children’s and youth rights, gender equality, sustainable environmental development, and humanitarian aid—the foundation drives tangible changes in the areas where it operates. The team shared with us impactful stories and how, through their comprehensive approach, they have managed to make significant improvements in people’s lives.

One of the highlights of the conversation was their ability to collaborate with other civil society organizations (CSOs), which has allowed them to develop collaborative projects and awareness campaigns that not only reach more people but also reinforce the importance of networked work.

We also discussed key issues in the current context, such as the need to strengthen advocacy in coordination spaces and the importance of ensuring access to and exercise of rights in the public sphere. The Hora de Obrar team emphasized the importance of being present in the field, working directly with communities to understand their needs and co-create effective solutions.

Thank you for having us!

On Tuesday, September 4, we launched the Strategic Planning Module as part of the “Transform Your Work: Strengthening Tools for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)” training series, an initiative driven by RACI with the support of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires.

This first meeting was held at the Colegio Único de Corredores Inmobiliarios de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (CUCICBA), where more than 40 organizations from the city actively participated, sharing experiences and exploring various dynamics of strategic planning.

The importance of strategic planning for CSOs

During the session, we worked on the concept of strategic planning, which goes far beyond the creation of a short-term plan. The challenges and opportunities organizations face when projecting their work in changing environments were analyzed. Through a participatory dynamic, we discussed how strategic planning allows organizations to align their resources and efforts with their mission and vision, facilitating better decision-making over time.

Additionally, we reviewed the fundamental steps for successful planning, addressing topics such as key roles within an organization and identifying the resources needed to achieve the set goals. Models and methods adapted to different organizational realities were also part of the discussion, with a special emphasis on the difference between strategic planning and annual planning.

Next steps and expectations for the series

This was just the first of several meetings that make up the training series. On September 18, the second module will take place, addressing “Access to Resources and Project Management,” key topics for the institutional strengthening of civil society organizations.

If you are part of an organization and would like to join the next module, you can still register here.

The “Transform Your Work” series aims to provide organizations with practical tools and essential knowledge to become more efficient and sustainable in the long term.

Thank you for participating!

The concept of localization has gained significant relevance in the global philanthropy landscape, especially in recent years. However, for this localization to be effective and not merely symbolic, it is imperative that resources are truly transferred to the Global South, where many of the world’s most severe social and economic challenges are concentrated.

The Global Philanthropy Report shows that most large foundations and philanthropic capital remain concentrated in the countries of the Global North, particularly in Europe and North America. In fact, 60% of global philanthropic assets are located in the United States, and another 37% in Europe, leaving only a small percentage in other regions, such as Africa and Latin America. This disparity in resource distribution is a wake-up call: while foundations and organizations in the North continue to be the main actors, communities in the Global South, which are the most affected, still do not receive the necessary funds to address their local challenges.

To achieve true localization, it is not enough to talk about the importance of local empowerment; financial resources, strategic decisions, and execution capabilities must also be transferred to the South. The concentration of foundations and capital in the North, and the resulting lack of resources in the most needed regions, perpetuates a dependency structure that runs counter to the spirit of localization.

The urgency of equitable redistribution

Global foundations must reconsider their funding models. Large foundations need to adopt approaches that allow the direct transfer of funds to local organizations in the Global South, ensuring that these organizations have the resources necessary to lead sustainable solutions within their own context. However, currently, 90% of global philanthropic assets are concentrated in the wealthiest countries, limiting the capacity of organizations in the South to generate large-scale change.

It is time for foundations and actors in the Global North to recognize this inequality and act accordingly. Localization should not just be a slogan but a real commitment involving the redistribution of resources to achieve a genuine impact in Southern communities. Only then can we move towards a more equitable and truly collaborative philanthropy model, where local organizations have the control and necessary means to tackle the challenges that directly affect their communities.

The World Giving Index 2024 annual report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) America reveals an optimistic outlook on global generosity, even amidst economic and humanitarian challenges. The study, which surveyed over 145,000 people across 142 countries, highlights how the spirit of solidarity remains strong worldwide. The report identifies key trends showing increased participation in monetary donations, volunteering, and helping strangers.

One of the most significant findings is that the global index reached its highest level since the start of the pandemic, underscoring people’s continued commitment to supporting charitable causes. A record 4.3 billion people around the world helped a stranger, volunteered their time, or donated money to a good cause in the previous month, representing 73% of the global adult population.

Indonesia once again tops the index as the most generous country in the world, with 90% of its population making monetary donations and 65% volunteering their time. This marks the seventh consecutive year that Indonesia has led the list of the most generous nations. Kenya ranks second, rising from third place last year, while Singapore has seen a notable rise to third place, increasing its score from 49% to 61%. This surge is attributed to recent government initiatives encouraging philanthropy and volunteering.

The CAF World Giving Index is one of the largest global surveys on generosity, having interviewed millions of people since 2009. In this edition, the data includes responses from 142 countries, asking participants whether they had helped a stranger, donated money, or volunteered in the last month.

Other key findings from the report include:

• Diversity in generous countries: Among the 10 most generous countries, only two are among the world’s largest economies (Indonesia and the United States), while one of the poorest countries, Gambia, ranks fourth.
• Morocco: This country saw the largest annual increase in monetary donations following the devastating earthquakes in September 2023. The percentage of people donating money rose from 2% in 2022 to 18%, and volunteer rates doubled from 8% to 16%.
• Greece: This country showed the most improvement this year, scoring high in the “helping strangers” category, significantly surpassing the European average, especially among young people.
• Long-term progress: Over the past decade, Ukraine, Indonesia, Chad, Russia, and China have shown the most improvement, with a 25-point or more increase in their generosity index scores.

Neil Heslop OBE, CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, commented:

“The generosity of people worldwide is evident in the latest CAF Global Generosity Index, with the global score at its highest level, only matched during the pandemic. The research demonstrates how people from all continents and cultures are willing to help those in need, during a year of continued economic and humanitarian challenges.”

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), celebrating its centenary this year, connects donors with charitable causes worldwide. Each year, it distributes over £1 billion to charities.

The 10 most generous countries according to the CAF World Giving Index 2024:

1. Indonesia
2. Kenya
3. Singapore
4. Gambia
5. Nigeria
6. United States
7. Ukraine
8. Australia
9. United Arab Emirates
10. Malta

Download the full report here.

At RACI, we deeply value collaboration and the exchange of ideas between civil society organizations (CSOs) and international actors. The event “Dialogue between CSOs and International Cooperation Stakeholders in Argentina,” held at the Canadian Embassy, was a clear example of this spirit of cooperation.

We want to extend our gratitude to all the member organizations that actively participated in this gathering, which allowed us to deeply analyze the current situation of the third sector in Argentina, explore new global trends, and gain valuable perspectives from the diplomatic sphere. These kinds of spaces give us the opportunity to reflect on how our organizations are perceived by embassies and international donors, and what we can do to strengthen our impact and sustainability.

The event featured a panel composed of Ricardo Wildman and Meghan McGill from the U.S. Embassy, Gabrielle Phipps from the Australian Embassy, Anjali Sarma from the New Zealand Embassy, and Etienne Lambert from the Canadian Embassy, who shared their insights on the main challenges and opportunities facing the CSO sector in the current global context.

One of the most highlighted points of the dialogue was the focus on funding for CSOs. The panelists emphasized the importance of having solid data to support projects, as well as ensuring the active participation of beneficiaries in the initiatives. They also underscored the relevance of demonstrating a clear track record of impact by organizations and the need to implement robust accountability measures. These aspects not only strengthen relationships with donors but are also key to building the trust needed for long-term partnerships.

Such exchanges are essential, especially in a context where CSOs play a vital role in addressing issues that the state cannot always resolve immediately. Collaboration with international actors and the implementation of transparency and accountability practices in our actions allow us to continue contributing effectively to social well-being and sustainable development in Argentina.

The active participation of each member organization was fundamental in enriching the debate and amplifying a strong collective message. Your commitment and dedication drive our sector, and events like this allow us to keep joining forces to achieve our shared goals.

We would especially like to thank the following member organizations for participating in the event and contributing their vision and experience:

• Chequeado
• Fundación Pilares
• Fundación Huésped
• Amnesty International
• Vida Silvestre
• Tzedaká
• ELA – Latin American Team for Justice and Gender
• Reciduca
• Cultura de Trabajo
• ASAC
• AMIA
• Mocha Celis
• Hora de Obrar
• FUSA AC
• Fundación Temas
• Fundación Kaleidos
• Un Árbol
• Pata Pila
• Encontrarse en la Diversidad
• FOPEA
• Semillero Digital
• Cilsa
• Clayss
• Conciencia
• Habitat for Humanity
• Cimientos
• CELS
• Cáritas
• Poder Ciudadano
• Surcos
• Asdra
• Cambio Democrático
• Junior Achievement
• Impacto Digital

Once again, thank you for your commitment to strengthening the third sector and for working together to build a more equitable and just Argentina.

On Tuesday, August 29, 2024, RACI organized the virtual workshop: “Technology with Purpose: Transforming Fundraising with AI.” In this event, we explored how artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool to optimize the work of civil society organizations, with a particular focus on fundraising.

During the session, we highlighted the use of ChatGPT and other AI technologies as key resources to make fundraising efforts more efficient, from proposal creation to interactions with potential donors. Participants also received practical recommendations on how to regulate the use of these tools within their organizations, emphasizing the importance of ethics and responsibility in every implementation.

The workshop addressed the benefits of process automation and content creation, allowing organizations to focus on strategic tasks that require more human effort. At the same time, the ethical challenges surrounding the use of AI were discussed, stressing the need for a responsible approach to ensure transparency and data protection.

Thank you to all the organizations that participated in this workshop on how AI can transform the future of fundraising!

Relive the event here.

We would like to invite Civil Society Organizations from the City of Buenos Aires to participate in the second module of our Training Series: “Access to Resources and Project Management.”
This module is specially designed to provide key tools that will help you access funding and manage projects effectively.

In-person session: Wednesday, September 25th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Virtual session: Wednesday, October 9th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Throughout these sessions, we will delve into essential topics such as:

• Funding sources and types of donors: How to align your organization’s needs with funders’ expectations.
• Fundraising strategies: We will explore best practices to maximize your fundraising efforts.
• What is a project and why do we do it? We will analyze the importance of efficient project management.
• Project lifecycle: From identification to completion, we will review each of the essential stages.
• Project formulation: We will uncover the key steps to formulating successful projects.

This module is a unique opportunity to strengthen your skills and increase the impact of your initiatives. Additionally, we remind you that to receive a participation certificate, it is necessary to attend both module dates.

Limited spots! Don’t miss out!
If you want to join, sign up here!

For more information, we suggest keeping an eye on the invitations you will receive in the coming months and our social media, as each module will have its own registration form.

We look forward to seeing you!