The challenge of creating systematic, systemic and sustainable

Solving a problem requires, first of all, a broad view of the global scenario. We are living in a period of transition, we are overcoming the moments of worsening of the pandemic and the height of the crisis, but we still have major challenges in seeking to return to social, climate, health and trust issues.

We must take responsibility for recognizing this intersectionality of issues that span sectors. We cannot ignore the general context and focus on some specific problems. Philanthropic engagement should not just be charitable or technical. The situation requires keeping in mind that we were already experiencing urgency in the country, with structural difficulties and unparalleled social inequality. The pandemic has led to an unprecedented emergency.  

In this context, reviewing the role of philanthropy to amplify its reach is our greatest challenge, making it possible to create systematic, systemic and sustainable changes. The process includes an analysis of the powers we have as actors in the sector and how to use them, as well as initiatives that generate effective results, with new solutions, methodologies and tools.  

For systemic transformations, we must change the way we operate, working more collaboratively, in addition to adopting methods such as advocacy and research. As philanthropic actors, we will prioritize consistency and coherence, with transparency, distribution of power, resource governance and analysis of socio-environmental effects to evaluate the social result promoted. These approaches are fundamental to making philanthropy a driver of greater transformation that is not limited to specific resolutions, but with a vision of the ecosystem as a whole.

Brazil is rich in innovations in the area, with online donation platforms, young social entrepreneurs who bring new ideas, initiatives that make it possible to work with what we have in the country, in addition to adding examples that occur around the world. The current predominant international philanthropic formats are American and Anglo-Saxon, which leads us to replicate actions from these models.  

Using good examples is essential; However, it is increasingly necessary to build alternatives adapted to local culture, with national and international, public and private articulation and connections. This demand has become even more urgent with Covid-19, which has demonstrated how all local problems are global and will lead us to seek balance between these two poles. Therefore, concrete collaboration involves building common vocabularies and objectives to use international experiences and, at the same time, replicating and scaling local models.  

For these measures to work, it is essential, first of all, to evolve the way we do philanthropy, starting by facing the fear of risks and accepting that failures can also help. Part of the risk is also to seek new partnerships.  

There are many factors at stake to strengthen philanthropy and make it possible to go beyond the measurement restricted to the increase in donations and also make it possible to evaluate the impact caused in the territory, the municipality, the state and even the country, promoting medium and long-term social transformation .

With this attitude we will arrive at this new model that we seek, developed in a civil society that is attentive and alert to social problems. This reformulation involves a new cultural construction. We will not achieve the result without a profound transformation of society.

Let's strengthen a philanthropy of consensus, of a shared agenda for coordinated action, guided by the common good. An inclusive tool that makes it possible, with social investment, to develop a less unequal community, where hunger can be combated in this time of crisis and where future structural problems can be looked at, which will become even greater post-pandemic.

Brazilian philanthropy needs to invest more in structuring the ecosystem to guarantee foundations that make it possible to scale collective impact. It is up to organized civil society to support the construction of economic and societal models that create an environment conducive to collective social development. Our mission is to create a better, more inclusive Brazil, where philanthropy can be an integral part of building the country.

By: Benjamin Bellegy – Executive Director of WINGS, an international network that promotes philanthropy, and Carola Matarazzo – Executive Director of Movimento Bem Maior

This article was originally published in Correio Braziliense .