Beyond Competition: Collective Action and Collaboration for Greater Impact
As global funding shrinks and traditional aid structures shift, organizations must move beyond competition toward bold, strategic collaboration. Instead of fighting for limited resources, how can we optimize partnerships, pool funding, and build multi-stakeholder collaborations that drive systemic change?
This session will explore how philanthropy, NGOs, and social enterprises can work together to avoid duplication, maximize impact, and break down barriers to effective collective action. We will discuss how partnerships can unlock new funding opportunities, what coordination strategies ensure resources are directed where they are most needed, and how lasting human relationships can serve as the foundation for a stronger impact ecosystem.
Key Questions:
How can we shift our mindset from competition to complementarity in a resource-scarce environment?
What are the most effective models for pooling funding and optimizing resources across sectors?
How can philanthropy play a catalytic role in fostering collaborative action rather than isolated funding?
What strategies ensure that multi-stakeholder partnerships lead to real impact rather than bureaucratic complexity?
How can organizations working on similar challenges, such as SDG 4 (education), coordinate efforts rather than duplicating services?
This interactive discussion group will bring together funders, NGOs, and social impact leaders to explore how collective action can strengthen the sector, drive greater impact, and create more sustainable solutions for the world’s biggest challenges.
Session Co-Leaders:
Alexandra Scott – Managing Director at Project Last Mile, working to strengthen health supply chains and expand healthcare access through private-sector expertise.
Andrea Johnson – Executive Director of Green Empowerment, leading global efforts to provide renewable energy and clean water to rural communities.
Bonnie Koenig – Independent consultant at Going International, advising NGOs and social enterprises on global strategy, collaboration, and impact.
Daniel Nwaeze – Community Manager at One Young World, building networks that empower young leaders driving social change.
Katharina Céline Mueller – Director of Development, Babies and Mothers Alive.
Josh Powell – CEO of Development Gateway: An IREX Venture, driving data and digital solutions for international development.