Community-Driven Change: Demonstrating Impact in Africa and India

Shreya Gupta

Shreya Gupta

How building the power and assets of communities leads to lasting and equitable change.

REPORT

Community-Driven Change: Demonstrating Impact in 
Africa and India

By Pritha Venkatachalam, Riti Mohapatra, Ntefeleng Nene, Aditi Sharma, Umang Manchanda, and Roger Thompson

For many funders, the pressing question isn’t whether to pursue community-driven change, but how to proceed with an approach that works. Community-driven change is a social process whereby communities actively participate in, lead, and own the identification, design, and execution of solutions for the challenges they face. Bridgespan research shows that an approach rooted in community power can lead to more lasting and equitable impact.

Our report highlights three paths for funders new to community-driven change, or those seeking to enhance their efforts, to consider.

  • Partner with communities to identify, prioritise, and implement delivery of vital services.
  • Fund initiatives that develop community leaders who, in turn, educate and organise individuals to pursue their rights and entitlements.
  • Support community groups that work with local government, markets, and civil society to secure funding for local projects and advocate for policies that benefit local residents.

Read the report


Community-Driven Change in Action

Community-Driven Change in Action

Nine case studies of communities across Kenya, South Africa, and India engaging in community-driven change.

Children in Need Institute (CINI)

Spreading awareness of child and adolescent rights in India.

Legado

Supporting communities in conservation efforts in Kenya.

Lwala Community Alliance

Reducing maternal mortality and HIV risk in Kenya.

Saamuhika Shakti

Enabling waste pickers to lead secure and dignified lives in India.

Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN)

Supporting sustainable development efforts through community collectives.

Society for Public Education Cultural Training and Rural Action (SPECTRA)

Increasing awareness of rights and social welfare systems.

Swades Foundation

Empowering rural India through village development committees.

Ubunye Foundation

Supporting sustainable development through community-led governance in South Africa.

Woza Moya

Placing community voices and needs at the forefront in South Africa.

Community-Driven Change Database

Community-Driven Change Database

This database consists of community-driven organisations across Kenya, South Africa, and India identified through the research Bridgespan conducted for our community-driven change report. These organisations engage with communities as partners or owners in the programming.

Use the database


Community-Driven Change: Voices from the Field

Community-Driven Change: Voices from the Field

Read a sampling of quotes on how community-driven change has benefited a number of the communities Bridgespan visited during the research for the report, Community-Driven Change: Demonstrating Impact in Africa and India.

Read more