Latest news with #communityEmpowerment
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
From dependency to empowerment: Why we need to transform CSI in Africa?
Corporate social investment (CSI) is meant to change lives. But what happens when it does the opposite? Tshego Bokaba, CSI Manager at the Momentum Group Foundation Across Africa, well-meaning initiatives – designed in boardrooms, backed by big budgets and rolled out with fanfare – have long been positioned as a force for good. But what if, in trying to help, we're sometimes making things worse? In too many cases, CSI projects miss the mark: fostering dependence instead of empowerment, duplicating efforts already underway, or overlooking the very people they're meant to serve. As Africa reflects on transformation during Africa Month, it's time to ask harder questions about how – and why – corporate giving can backfire. We've seen programmes that distribute food parcels without investing in food security, or those that introduce technology into schools without training teachers or ensuring the infrastructure exists to support it. These are not just inefficiencies – they are missed opportunities, and in some cases, they actively disempower communities. This is not to say that CSI is inherently flawed. But when it's not rooted in context, consultation and co-creation, it can do more harm than good. Consultation is vital One of the most common missteps I've seen is designing projects for communities rather than with them. Too often, corporates decide what a school, clinic, or neighbourhood needs, without ever speaking to the school governing body, community leaders, or the people who live there. Even the best-resourced interventions can fall flat if they're out of step with local realities. In my view, there are five key principles that every CSI practitioner should treat as non-negotiable: research, consultation, co-creation, listening, and partnership. These may sound simple, but they require humility and a willingness to let go of control. Just because we have the resources doesn't mean we have all the answers. The result of bypassing this process is often what I call performative CSI: initiatives that look good in a press release but lack any meaningful or lasting impact. It's when we treat communities like passive recipients instead of equal partners. It's when we focus on meeting KPIs instead of solving real problems. And it's when we forget that behind every number in a dashboard is a person with dreams, struggles and potential. More than just quick fixes CSI in Africa must be about more than optics. We have a responsibility to confront the inequalities that still define too many lives – children who walk long distances to overcrowded schools, families without access to clinics, young people with no clear path to employment. Real impact means going beyond short-term gestures and investing in solutions that last. It means removing the everyday obstacles that chip away at people's dignity, potential and hope. That's why I believe we need to move toward collaborative, sector-wide approaches. The challenges we face – whether it's poverty, unemployment, education or access to healthcare – are too layered and too urgent for any one organisation to tackle alone. Corporates, non-profits and government must work together in coordinated, transparent and scalable ways if we're serious about lasting change. There are strong signs that the sector is beginning to shift. According to the Next Generation trends and insights research report 2025/2026 on the social, solidarity and impact economies of South Africa, future transformation should focus on improving sector effectiveness, strengthening local organisations, reducing duplication, and encouraging more sustainable, locally driven solutions. This includes enabling organisations to generate their own income and diversify funding models, ensuring they're not entirely reliant on donor capital. Leadership development We also need to build the next generation of leaders: individuals and institutions who are equipped to respond to the rapidly evolving social and economic realities of our continent. Africa's problems are unique, and our solutions must be too. This Africa Month, I want to challenge my peers across the CSI and development space to ask harder questions. Not just 'How much did we give?' or 'How many people did we reach?' but rather, 'Who did we speak to?' and 'What changed?' and also 'What do the communities themselves say they need next?' Show up with open ears and open minds, not just open wallets. The stakes are too high for us to get this wrong. If we want to be part of the solution, we must be willing to rethink the way we give – and, more importantly, the way we listen.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Entergy's Tribal Scholarship Provides Educational Opportunities for Native American Students
Recently at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Entergy proudly continued its partnership with the American Indian College Fund, or the College Fund, by announcing a significant grant aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for Native American students. 2025 marks the 11th year of this collaboration. Entergy's support has been essential in helping Native American students pursue impactful careers and thrive as influential leaders in their communities. During the festival, Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May, alongside Entergy New Orleans President and CEO Deanna Rodriguez, presented a $35,000 grant to the College Fund and the Chief of the United Houma Nation. This investment is set to provide scholarships for students as they embark on their academic journeys, empowering them to create positive change within their communities. 'Our decade-long partnership with the American Indian College Fund underscores our commitment to empowering Native American communities,' said May. 'It's a meaningful part of our Louisiana 100 plan, which prioritizes education, opportunity and long-term investment.' 'Education is a powerful tool for transformation—not just for individuals, but entire communities,' said Rodriguez. 'Entergy New Orleans is committed to helping our youth overcome educational barriers and reach their full potential. We are proud to partner with the American Indian College Fund and the United Houma Nation to support the next generation of leaders and change-makers.' Since the inception of this partnership in 2015, Entergy has contributed over $350,000 in scholarships, positively impacting more than 160 students. Native American individuals remain among the most underrepresented groups in higher education, with a bachelor's degree attainment rate of less than half the national average. Every year, the College Fund is a beacon of support for more than 5,000 students, helping them navigate their educational paths and achieve their degrees. The organization aims for a graduation rate of 60% for all scholars by 2025 and has awarded more than 160,000 scholarships, totaling over $349 million since its founding in 1989. Entergy's mission, 'We Power Life,' extends beyond the delivery of essential energy services. We are committed to fostering the growth and well-being of the communities we serve through vital programs and initiatives. By investing in philanthropic efforts, encouraging volunteerism, supporting our low-income customers, and driving economic development initiatives, Entergy is dedicated to nurturing healthy, educated, environmentally sustainable, and thriving communities. Discover more about our community initiatives here. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Entergy Corporation
Trade Arabia
11-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
ITB China, UN Tourism, Fliggy to promote rural tourism
ITB China, the premier B2B travel trade show focused on the Chinese market, is partnering with UN Tourism, Alibaba Philanthropy, and Fliggy's "Travel for Good" project to highlight "Tourism for Rural Development." The event will take place from May 27 to 29 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. The initiative aims to create an international platform to showcase rural tourism in China and build a dynamic bridge between Chinese rural destinations and global travel buyers. Rural tourism plays a vital role in driving sustainable economic growth and strengthening local communities. ITB China 2025 will focus on initiatives designed to support rural areas through tourism, including the UN Tourism "Best Tourism Villages" initiative, which promotes exemplary rural destinations from across the globe and China. Representatives from previously awarded villages will be invited to share their stories and demonstrate how they have successfully balanced community empowerment, cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable economic development. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism said, 'Rural tourism is a vital driver for community empowerment and nature conservation worldwide. Through the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative, we recognise and support destinations that harness rural tourism as a force for good. These villages stand as global examples of how tourism can preserve cultural heritage, safeguard biodiversity, and enhance the quality of life for residents. We are proud to share this vision at ITB China and partner with them to showcase how rural tourism is shaping a more sustainable, inclusive future for rural communities around the world.' A dedicated forum titled "China Travel: Discovering Rural Beauty" will be hosted by UN Tourism, Alibaba Philanthropy, and Fliggy, offering high-level insights into the development of rural tourism in China. The forum will also feature discussions on the transformative role of tourism in rural development and panel discussions on revitalising rural tourism resources, driving digital transformation, and enhancing product marketing from a global perspective. The inbound tourism segment will be more diverse and wide-ranging than ever, with participation from Beijing, Hubei, Guangxi, Lahsa, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. Exhibitors include top travel operators such as China Tourism Group Travel Services, Hubei Best Tour, Guangxi Tourism Development Group, China International Travel Service Guilin , Spring Tour, Zhejiang EVERBRIGHT, and Guangdong China Travel Service, as well as key state-owned enterprises like Huangshan Tourism Group. Major hospitality brands will present China's evolving standards in international hospitality. The China Inbound Travel Forum will provide a global perspective on the Chinese travel market, focusing on fresh strategies for promoting Chinese destinations to overseas audiences. High-profile networking events will be planned to foster collaboration and celebrate local culture. -TradeArabia News Service
