We are proud to serve as the Research and Learning Coordinator for the Shifting the Power Programme (StP) — a groundbreaking 10-year initiative redefining development from the ground up.
About the Programme
The Shifting the Power Programme is a flagship partnership between Comic Relief and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). With a £60 million investment, it aims to support locally-led civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ghana, Zambia, and Malawi to become more sustainable, effective, and aligned with community-driven priorities.
Together with local Anchor Partners (STAR-Ghana/WACSI, Zambian Governance Foundation, and Tilitonse Foundation), the programme provides direct support to grassroots CSOs through three innovative funds:
- 💡 Catalyst Fund: Small grants to help local CSOs build internal systems and readiness for further funding.
- 🏛️ Civil Society Strengthening Fund: Core and project funding combined with tailored capacity building and facilitation.
- 🔄 Community Resourcing Match Fund: Matched funding and training to encourage income diversification and local fundraising.
Our Role: Driving Learning and Evidence
As the Research and Learning Coordinator, our role is to ensure that learning is continuous, evidence-based, and actionable. We:
- Design and implement learning frameworks that capture insights from all participating countries.
- Facilitate cross-country learning exchanges among partners and grantees.
- Document innovative practices and success stories of locally-led development.
- Analyse and report on the impact and effectiveness of funding models and capacity support.
- Support evidence generation that feeds into the global #ShiftThePower movement to advocate for more equitable and sustainable funding practices.
Why It Matters
The StP Programme challenges traditional donor-recipient models by redistributing power to those closest to the issues. Through our research and learning support, we are helping shape a future where:
- CSOs in the Global South define their own success.
- Development is community-rooted and locally owned.
- Funding systems are designed to empower, not control.
Join the Movement
We invite you to explore the outcomes, insights, and reflections from this bold initiative. Let’s shift the power—together.
- CSOs in the Global South define their own success.
- Development is community-rooted and locally owned.
- Funding systems are designed to empower, not control.
