Local Roots, Global Fruits: Civil Society

Civil Society

Communities are stronger when everyone has a voice.

Rather than allowing differences to divide us, together, we can find new solutions through diverse perspectives.

The Aga Khan Foundation is committed to building robust, pluralistic civil societies.

We facilitate community service organizations, inclusive civic groups and farming cooperatives. We help people build the tools to form critical support systems, and see a vibrant future take root.

AKF has worked with over 34,000 civil society organizations across 14 countries, benefiting more than 1.6 million people.

To reach even farther, AKF has partnered with like-minded organizations to develop a strategy for growing a more inclusive world. Learn more about our vision for pluralism in this animated video.

And as part of that strategy, AKF and our partners created a place to share the tools we have developed through our work around the world.

Learn about this new platform called Spark, and how it’s ‘sparking’ new futures everywhere!

Then help us sow the seeds of success, together.

Give now.

Your support is needed now more than ever.

For decades, your generosity has contributed to AKF’s wide range of development activities around the world. With your help, we can continue this critical work during a time when the world needs us the most.

Give monthly to join iHope, a community of donors committed to sustaining AKF’s work today and in the future.

Make a one-time gift to support our work now.

Or make a pledge to have your gift made by the end of the year count towards this campaign.

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AKF USA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Spark

Space for practice, action, research, and knowledge

Spark is a space for civil society and independent media learning, resource exchange, practice, preparation for action, research, and knowledge mobilization.

Spark aims to improve the accessibility of quality digital and non-digital learning content for civil society and media actors to encourage and support self-guided learning. Resources hosted on Spark have been created, tested, and adapted by local, regional, and global civil society and independent media actors. These include resources developed by AKF in our local work—resources that can now serve learners and communities around the world. Additionally, Spark is built on a Learning Management System (LMS) gifted to CSM-STAND by the Aga Khan Foundation—building on our experience developing The Learning Hub.

Spark is an initiative of the Civil Society and Media Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND).

Be a part of our work!

Your donations support our initiatives across sectors and around the world.

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Effective and efficient civil society organizations have been a hallmark of successful societies, whether it is in the form of farmer’s federations, arts clubs, or other non-governmental organizations. However, in many societies, they are seen as a threat. Over the span of two years, 64 laws, regulations, and other initiatives that put restrictions on civil society were adopted and put into force.

The Aga Khan Foundation therefore seeks to encourage positive developments in civil society. It sees a robust, efficient civil society – increasingly funded by indigenous sources – as a key driver of the overall quality of life, both in developing and developed countries.

Our goals

A group of female and male farmers walk together in fields in Mozambique

Enhanced capacities for collective action

Partnering with a variety of groups and strengthening capacity through training

Members of a village drinking water supply scheme at a meeting -

Strengthened values-based societies

that work together for the common good

Enhanced transparency and accountability

Giving increased public confidence and trust in civil society groups

Improved services, resources, and economic assets

that can sustain themselves beyond the life of development program funding

Our impact

1.6million

people reached by AKF-supported civil society organizations

51thousand

civil society organizations strengthened and supported by AKF worldwide

40+years

of AKF’s work to foster the growth of transparent, democratically elected village organizations in Central and South Asia

Areas of Exploration

Education

Equipping young people with the knowledge to flourish in their communities

AKF works to strengthen local education systems so children can gain the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.

Hear how Millicent, a teacher in Kenya, engaged her students during the pandemic with creative activities using easily accessible resources.

Learn more!

Gender Equality

Scaling Mountains to Open Doors of Opportunity

Meet Gul Noori, who trained as a search-and-rescue expert through AKF’s community grown crisis planning.

With over two decades of experience, she routinely scaled mountains to bring life-saving support to those in need. She believes, “If you save one life, it is as if you have saved all of humanity.”

Learn more!

Work and Enterprise

The Sweet Smell of Success…and Pastry

When Nurgul and Nazira met in college, they soon realized they shared a love of baking and a common dream of opening a pastry shop.

With AKF entrepreneurial training and vital business courses, they started their business from scratch with just a large oven and a mixer.

Today, their early seeds of hope have flourished into much more than they could ever have imagined!

Watch their success rise!

Learn more!

Civil Society

We solve problems best working together.

In a world where cultural differences can divide us, we believe diverse perspectives are a strength.

AKF has worked with more than 34,000 civil society organizations across 14 countries, benefiting more than 1.6 million people. These organizations work to ensure all voices have a chance to be heard in local decision-making.

To spread their reach even further, AKF partnered with like-minded organizations and USAID to create Spark, a collection of learning resources about pluralism and civil society.

Learn about pluralism and see how this tool helps facilitate civil society.

Learn more!

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Transformational Sponsors

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“The value of a meaningful philanthropic partnership begins with a shared vision. Connecting with organizations who share a commitment to promoting global good is one of Highgate’s top priorities.”