RISE FOR PHOKA is a volunteer-powered, youth and community-led development organization in Malawi that focuses on tackling climate change and sustainable development issues and is committed to taking care of the most vulnerable members of their communities, such as children and the elderly. Their support comes from income generated locally by visiting volunteers ’contributions, individual donations, and community-driven economic development initiatives. As Bhavna, one of their supporters stated, they are doing development “the way our ancestors used to do it.”
Join us for a conversation with Kondwani Msyalie, RISE FOR PHOKA Executive Director and two of key supporters to explore this community-centered Global South model built on the strong belief that resources for what we do can come from within communities themselves.
Live translation to French and Spanish will be available
Date and Time : 26th June, 2025
- Kenya - 17h00
- Malawi - 16h00
- UK - 15h00
Speakers
Kondwani Msyalie is the Founder and Executive Director of RISE FOR PHOKA, a grassroots Community Foundation in Livingstonia, Malawi, dedicated to sustainable community development. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management and a University Certificate of Education from the University of Livingstonia. Passionate about community empowerment, Kondwani leads projects focused on sustainable agriculture, education, and social support for vulnerable groups. Through his leadership, RISE FOR PHOKA has mobilized local resources and fostered partnerships to drive positive change.
Frank Charles Kasonga is the Executive Director of Mudzi Connect, where he oversees the community development efforts of a local NGO that has improved the health, education, and economic opportunity and social justice for more than 600,000 Malawians to date. Frank is a published author with 20+ years of hands-on experience in project design and proposal development, organizational development, capacity building and training, grants administration, governance, environmental justice, people management, financial tracking, and monitoring and evaluation. Frank holds a Master’s Degree in Transformative Community Development from Mzuzu University, BSc in Social Science, and a Law certificate from Staff Development Institute. Frank is a leader by nature, a team-player, capacity builder, excellent writer, and a charismatic trainer. Frank is widely regarded as a leader in promoting locally-led development and a frequent speaker and panelist on the topic.
Bhavna Naik is a professionally qualified Finance Manager from the UK. She is employed in the charitable sector, and was born in Zambia, where her parents initially migrated to from India. In 2022, she was seconded to Malawi for three years as Head of Finance for a social enterprise.
Having witnessed an unhealthy dependency culture in Malawi, she collaborated with a Malawian founded charity- Rise for Phoka to progress the idea of sustainable communities by buying farmland with the aim to grow and sell the produce to generate income to fulfill the charitable objectives of the organization.
She is a passionate disrupter, believes in giving with grace and dignity, and embraces grass roots values and nature.
Watch full webinar recording here.
This webinar will explore debt justice and reparations as solidarity-based alternatives to traditional forms of development “aid,” especially in light of the current crises of the "aid" system.
Three experts, bringing diverse regional perspectives from Africa and Latin America as well as global insights, will examine the current state of the debt crisis in their regions and globally. They will share common advocacy goals, ongoing reform efforts, and concrete recommendations for achieving development without reliance on external debt or the traditional “aid” paradigm.
We will discuss:
Reparations and reparative justice from a pan–African perspective;
Responsible lending and borrowing, and cancellation of illegitimate debt;
Africa- and Latin America-led proposals for structural reform of the global financial architecture to address systemic inequalities rooted in colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, and neocolonialism;
Advocacy strategies ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), and in support of the establishment of a UN Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt.
This session is open to a broad, non–specialist international cooperation audience—including professionals, graduate students, and staff from small and large organizations—regardless of prior familiarity with the international neoliberal financial system, debt, or reparations. Participants are encouraged to submit questions for the speakers in advance (in English, Spanish, or French) to mara.luna@kuja.org.
Speakers
Priya Lukka is an economist in international development working globally to understand alternative realities and perspectives to neoliberalism through raising awareness of communities working for repair and reparations, which is also the focus of her PhD enquiry. Priya has most recently worked as Macroeconomist, covering the region of Asia, at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations, and as Chief Development Economist for Christian Aid.
Catherine Mithia is the Policy Research & Advocacy Officer for Sovereign Debt Management at the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development – AFRODAD. As a published author, she has contributed insightful work on governance, the impact of illicit financial flows, and the role of credit rating agencies, offering a nuanced African perspective. Her work focuses on delivering research–backed policy alternatives that promote innovative and sustainable solutions to development challenges across Africa.
Daniela Berdeja Ruiz is the Sovereign Debt Analyst and Coordinator of the LAC Vulnerability Atlas at the Latin American Network for Economic, Social and Climate Justice (LATINDADD). In this role, she leads regional coordination efforts to map and systematize key economic, financial, social, and climate indicators across Latin America. Daniela is a Bolivian economist and engineer with expertise in quantitative methods for economic analysis, sustainable and economic development research, and policy work related to financing and sovereign debt. Her work also explores the intersections between gender and austerity policies.
Mara Tissera Luna (moderator), KujaLearn Content Advisor.
Date and time: June 5, 2025
- PST, USA – 09:00
- Mexico City, Mexico – 10:00
- EST, USA – 12:00
- Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro – 13:00
- London, UK – 16:00
- Geneva, Madrid – 17:00
- Cape Town, South Africa – 18:00
- Nairobi, Kenya – 19:00
- Delhi, India – 22:00
Duration: 1.15 hour – Language: English with live interpretation into Spanish and French.
Watch full webinar recording here.
In a context of multiple crises — financial, political, ethical, and within international ‘aid’— that are impacting migrant and refugee communities across the Americas, organizations led by Venezuelans in Mexico, Ecuador, and Costa Rica will share their experiences, challenges, and proposals for driving systemic change. This convening will bring together representatives from Yo Soy Tu Pana (Ecuador), Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos AC (Mexico), Venezuela Global (Brazil), and Fundación VenCR (Costa Rica) — organizations that, together, have provided migratory, legal, and social assistance to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan and other migrant and refugee populations across the Americas.
They will address urgent issues such as:
The sharp reduction in funding and its impact on migrants, refugees, and the organizations that support them.
The rise in criminalization and hate speech, and strategies to counter them.
The power of greater meaningful participation by migrants and refugees, and the pathways to achieve it.
The overlooked mental health consequences of these crises on migrants and refugees, based on research involving thousands of affected individuals.
The importance of alliances among organizations and with nontraditional actors (such as universities, artists, and media) to promote integration and development.
Join us for this urgent conversation to highlight the contributions of migrant- and refugee-led organizations, understand their struggles, and reflect collectively on what must change to ensure rights, dignity, and justice in host and transit countries.
Participants
July Rodríguez, Founder and director of Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos AC, Mexico.
Dedicated to the defense of the human rights of migrants of all nationalities, both those residing in Mexico and those in transit. Her work is characterized by empowering migrant communities through projects, programs, and campaigns on health, education, entrepreneurship, human rights promotion, among many others. She has also contributed to research focused on understanding the challenges migrant communities face in the country. Her guiding principle is the pursuit of tangible results in her work. She is a member of the Citizens' Council of the National Migration Institute (INM), the Quadripartite Commission of COMAR, the Mesoamerican Network, the Identity and Education Group, the Dialogue Group led by refugees and forcibly displaced persons (Merlos), the Migration Policy Working Group (GTPM), the Detention Working Group, among many others.
William A. Clavijo Vitto, Founder & President of Venezuela Global, Brazil.
Residing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the past decade, William is the president and founder of the Venezuela Global Association since 2021. This is the first association founded and led by Venezuelans in the state of Rio de Janeiro, with the aim of promoting the social and economic integration of Venezuelan migrants and refugees, as well as individuals of other nationalities, in Brazil. Additionally, William served as the Country Coordinator of the Coalition for Venezuela in Brazil from 2021 until his election as a Board Member for the 2023–2025 term. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a focus on International Politics from the Universidad Católica del Táchira in San Cristóbal, Venezuela. He earned a Master's in Foreign Trade and International Finance from Universidade Cândido Mendes (UCAM) in Rio de Janeiro, and completed his Master's and Ph.D. in Public Policies, Strategies, and Development at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).
Betzabeth Jaramillo, Founder and director of Fundación Yo Te Apoyo, Ecuador.
Political scientist, writer, and human rights activist with extensive experience in human mobility and safe, orderly, and regular migration. Founder of Yo Te Apoyo, an organization that has provided free legal and migration assistance to over 5,000 people, directly impacting 90,000 lives across Latin America. She was the first recognized refugee to work in the National Assembly of Ecuador, where she contributed to legislative projects, strengthening legal tools to protect the most vulnerable populations. Through her social media platforms, she has achieved unprecedented reach, connecting with over 400,000 people in Ecuador and 2 million globally. Her work has helped bring visibility to the migration crisis, promote inclusive solutions, and build bridges between communities, organizations, and governments.
Roberto Blanco, Director of Projects at Fundación VenCR, Costa Rica.
With extensive experience in international cooperation and advocacy leadership, he participated in the 2nd Global Refugee Forum in Geneva as part of the delegation of 70 global experts on refuge and forced displacement, selected by UNHCR. As a civil society representative, he has participated in various multilateral forums such as the 54th General Assembly of the OAS, the Quito Process, among others. He currently serves as Director of Projects at Alianza VenCR and Country Coordinator for the Coalition for Venezuela. He is also the founder of Futuro Sostenible, an initiative that promotes regional research on development, sustainability, and civic education. Roberto is a lawyer, holds a diploma in Governance and Public Innovation, and a Master's in Conflict Resolution from the University for Peace of the United Nations. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy at the National University of Costa Rica.
Lizbeth del Carmen Guerrero Ramírez. Human Rights and Tax Law specialist. Director of the organization Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos, A.C. and Coordinator of the Grupo Promotoras de Derecho en la Migración en México. As part of Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos, A.C., she serves as Leader of the MIRPS Process Group, Founding Member of the Dialogue Mechanism between UNHCR Mexico and Refugee- and Forcibly Displaced-Led Organizations (MERLOs), and Founding Member of the Articulation Group for Latin America and the Caribbean of Refugee- and Forcibly Displaced-Led Organizations (GARLOs). She has contributed to research and work on migration and mixed flows in the Americas, including recent publications such as Systematization of Good Practices by Civil Society Organizations in the Migration Context (2022) and the Report on the Principle of Non-Refoulement in Mexico (2024).
Mara Tissera Luna (moderator), KujaLearn Content Advisor.
Date and time: June 4, 2025
- San Francisco, USA – 09:00
- Mexico City, Mexico – 10:00
- Caracas, Venezuela – 12:00
- New York, USA - 12:00
- Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro – 13:00
- London, UK - 16:00
- Cape Town, South Africa - 18:00
- Nairobi, Kenya - 19:00
- Delhi, India - 22:00
Duration: 1.15 hour - Language: Spanish with live interpretation into English
The recent webinar, Funding on Our Terms: Rethinking Donor-Recipient Relationships for Sustainable Impact, held on the 29th of May 2025, was led by the Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF), and brought powerful insights into the urgent need to transform how development funding works.
In a global context where "shifting the power" is often discussed but rarely practiced meaningfully, ZGF’s CEO Engwase Banda Mwale and CLD/CSO Support Manager, Racheal Mwila made a compelling case for centering community leadership and autonomy. Their presentations challenged conventional donor-led funding models and shared how ZGF is actively dismantling these outdated structures.
What Needs to Change?
Racheal Mwila broke down the structural issues with traditional funding:
Short-term, donor-driven priorities that limit local innovation
Excessive administrative burdens on CSOs
Limited decision-making power for communities doing the actual work
Instead, ZGF is pioneering a new model grounded in community-led development and participatory grantmaking. Their three funds — the Catalyst Fund, Civil Society Strengthening Fund, and Community Resource Match Fund — emphasize trust, flexibility, and local ownership.
Shifting Power in Practice
Engwase Banda Mwale framed ZGF’s journey as a transformation in mindset, not just strategy. With over 400 CSO connections and growing alliances, ZGF asks bold questions like, What if communities made the call and funders responded?
Their "reverse call for proposals" flips the script, enabling communities to define priorities while ZGF acts as a responsive bridge-builder and trust creator. This model challenges the traditional role of intermediaries and invites donors to co-create rather than control.
Why This Matters
In the face of declining trust in institutions and growing inequality, the case for funding differently is not only moral — it's strategic. As Racheal emphasized, “We are not beneficiaries; we are philanthropists.” This powerful reframing invites communities to own their solutions, scale what works, and lead lasting change.
Watch the Recording
Missed the live session? You can watch the full event recording here.
Speakers:
Engwase Banda Mwale, Chief Executive Officer of the Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF), is a visionary leader with over 20 years of experience in senior management roles across the private and development sectors. A passionate advocate for women's empowerment, gender equality, good governance, and sustainable development, Engwase has a proven track record of driving transformative change and promoting inclusive growth. With her expertise in gender, leadership, and organizational development, she has been instrumental in shaping policies and programs that support marginalized communities and promote environmental sustainability.
Racheal Mwila is a seasoned development practitioner and manager of community-led development and civil society organizations at ZGF, with over a decade of experience driving climate action. Her expertise spans climate change advocacy, sustainable development, and shifting power dynamics to empower local communities. Racheal has a proven track record of mobilizing stakeholders, developing climate-resilient projects, and promoting environmental stewardship. Her passion lies in fostering inclusive, community-driven solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a sustainable future.
You are invited to join the next Pledge Learning Series: AI in NGO Fundraising & Communication
Date: 28 May 2025
Time: 9 AM ET / 2 PM Lisbon / 4 PM Nairobi / 2 PM WAT
The Pledge for Change Learning Series creates a space for strategic lesson-sharing and reflection on emerging issues within the Pledge community. In this session, we explore the opportunities, challenges, and ethical dilemmas of AI in NGO fundraising and communication, reflecting on potential bias in AI-generated imagery to authentic storytelling practices.
Facilitator: Isabella Jean
Featuring:
- Tara Todras-Whitehill (CEO, TW Storytelling), expert in narratives shaping aid and a member of the Pledge for Change Authentic Storytelling Review Panel.
- Laura Abad Guerrero (Fairpicture), advocate for ethical content production and local talent, and Pledge Supporter.
- Arsenii Alenichev, researcher on bias in AI images and their humanitarian applications.
Whether you’re experimenting with AI or critiquing its implications, register for this event to share experiences, strategies and learn how this impacts authentic storytelling.
NB: Facilitators of this event will remain online after the 1-hour recorded session for an additional 30 minutes (which will not be recorded) for any additional questions or feedback that participants wish to share.
Time: May 28, 2025 04:00 PM Nairobi
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83747747666?pwd=oMu6QbYAPdVtrV1oR3smDQUM69Mo07.1
Meeting ID: 837 4774 7666
Passcode: 841780
Have questions about Kuja?
Join this session if you have any questions about the Kuja platform or need support to build your profile. We are here to answer all of your questions!
Have questions about Kuja?
Join this session if you have any questions about the Kuja platform or need support to build your profile. We are here to answer all of your questions!
As the debate over decolonizing aid and power shifts intensifies, one organization in Kenya stands out as a real-life example of what sustainable community-led development can look like in practice.
In our recent webinar, “Community-led Sustainable Development Organizations: The Case of KCDF,” which was held on the 15th of April, 2025, we explored the history and model of the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) – a pioneer in community philanthropy and champion of locally rooted solutions for 25 years.
Since 1997, KCDF has been working to build capacity in communities across Kenya to empower them to take control of their own development. Their approach goes beyond traditional finance – emphasizing collective action, wealth building, and local fundraising as key pillars of sustainable change.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar:
Locally Rooted, Community-Owned Solutions
KCDF believes that real change happens when communities take the lead. Their approach goes beyond viewing people as beneficiaries—they are partners, co-creators, and decision-makers. This mindset builds a deeper sense of ownership, trust, and long-term resilience.Building Local Assets for Long-term Impact
By encouraging local giving and helping communities build their own endowment funds, KCDF is paving the way for lasting impact. It’s a powerful step toward reducing reliance on outside aid and ensuring communities can continue their progress—on their own terms.Partnerships that Respect Local Wisdom
KCDF’s partnerships are built on respect and the simple but powerful idea that people know what’s best for their own communities. They listen, learn, and walk alongside grassroots organizations, recognizing local knowledge as a strength, not a gap.Adaptability in Challenging Times
Whether it’s shifting political landscapes or the growing challenges of climate change, KCDF stays responsive and adaptable. Their work evolves with the realities communities face—never losing sight of what matters most.Inspiration for the Global South
KCDF’s story is a reminder that strong, self-reliant communities are not just possible—they’re already here. Their model is a source of inspiration for others across the Global South who are working to build systems that truly put people first.
Missed the conversation? Watch the full webinar here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb0QYq88MwM&t=4s&ab_channel=KUJA
Speakers:
Sarah Martha
Sarah Martha Anyika is a dedicated Community Development Advocate and the Executive Director of Dhamira Moja CBO, a grassroots organization in Busia Countys.
Passionate about partnerships and resource mobilization, she is a certified consultant in Local Fundraising and Resource Mobilization, trained by Wilde Ganzen (Change
The Game Academy) through KCDF. She is also a Lobby and Advocacy Champion with a niche in Gender Responsive Budgeting, advocating for equitable resource allocation to support sustainable community development.
With nine years of experience in community development work, Sarah champions inclusive development that empowers communities to shape their own future. Through her leadership, Dhamira Moja has fostered community-led solutions that drive sustainable development, strengthening grassroots efforts for long-term impact. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management.
Caesar Ngule
Current Programmes Director at Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF). With over 15 years of experience, Caesar Ngule is an expert in leading high-impact projects and programs.
He is specialized in Organizational Development, Community led Development approaches including facilitating sustainable access to basic services by communities, championing for an enabling environment for Civil Society, and promoting community centric philanthropy that shifts power to communities.
As a seasoned Trainer and Facilitator, Caesar is passionate about experiential learning, employing practical exercises that foster behavior and attitude change. He has held managerial
roles at Food for the Hungry International and Caritas Kenya, successfully designing and implementing health, education, and livelihood programs in diverse communities.
Caesar holds a Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Management in Community Development, and a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development.
Emily Omudho
Emily is a dedicated community development professional with over 14 years of experience in
designing and overseeing programs for vulnerable communities. She is the Team Leader for Community- Led Development at KCDF in Kenya where she also coordinates Change the Game Academy Program(CtGA). Emily is a passionate advocate for sustainable development and has extensive experience in program management, capacity strengthening, and partnership building.
She has overseen the execution of multi-year initiatives working in close partnerships with government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups to foster sustainable and inclusive development. She has experience using various development models, including Matching grant models, Village Savings and Loans methodologies and is a great champion of community philanthropy.
Emilly is pursuing a Master’s in Social Transformation with a Major in Sustainable Development and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development.
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Every year we invite our community, partners and end-users to come and meet us! It's the ideal event to get together and present new features, roadmap of future versions, achievements of the software, workshops, training sessions, etc... This event is also an opportunity to showcase our partners' case studies, methodology or developments. Be there and see directly from the source the features of the new version!