Community-driven change: demonstrating impact in Africa and India
Published on
6 April 2026
Originally published on bridgespan.org by Pritha Venkatachalam, Riti Mohapatra, Ntefeleng Nene, Aditi Sharma, Umang Manchanda, and Roger Thompson.
For decades, philanthropy and governments have practised a top-down approach to funding, treating the symptoms and not the root causes of the most pressing social issues. By contrast, community-driven change (CDC) is an approach that can lead to more lasting and equitable impact—it challenges funders and NGOs to reimagine how they work by shifting power and decision-making to the people they serve.
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From challenge to change
Aida, a farmer from a last-mile village in Kagadi District, improved her household’s income after adopting improved farming, livestock, hygiene, and savings practices. Today, she serves as a VSLA treasurer, supporting her community while expanding her family’s livelihood and education opportunities.
Last-mile doesn’t mean last in line.
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Last-mile doesn't mean last in line. Every community deserves dignity and agency.