Community-Led Development: Shifting Power, Scaling Impact, and Redefining the Future of Aid
From rural health systems and WASH to climate adaptation and small business development, community-led development is proving to be one of the most effective and sustainable approaches to social change. Yet global aid structures and financing models too often reinforce donor-beneficiary dynamics that undermine local autonomy, resilience, and long-term success.
This session will explore how to center communities as stakeholders, not recipients—unlocking accountability, trust, and equity through locally-led investments, collective action, and system reform. We’ll highlight models such as Self Help Groups, coalitions catalyzing power shifts, and community-driven platforms for climate and economic resilience. The session will also examine how communities can lead in defining impact standards, and how philanthropy can support a decentralized, equitable future of development.
Key Questions:
How can we shift from a donor-beneficiary dynamic to one of true stakeholdership and shared power?
What does effective, community-led development look like across sectors like health, climate, and livelihoods?
How can philanthropy and global platforms better support local coalitions, businesses, and adaptation solutions?
What is the role of community organizations in creating standard-setting impact measurement tools?
How do we ensure that the future of development financing reflects the lived realities and leadership of communities?
This session invites community leaders, funders, researchers, and practitioners to co-create a roadmap for equitable, community-centered development, grounded in evidence, trust, and the belief that those closest to the challenges are best equipped to lead the solutions.
Session Co-Leaders:
Amit Varshneya is Executive Director of The Goonj Foundation, working to scale a dignity-driven community development model globally.
Ann Kungu is Africa Partnerships Portfolio Manager at Blood:Water, supporting community-led development and partner capacity strengthening.
Carl Manlan is Vice President of Inclusive Impact at Visa CEMEA, advancing financial inclusion through strategic partnerships.
Sasha Fisher is CEO and Co-Founder of Spark Microgrants, empowering rural communities through village-level decision-making and direct funding.
Zack Fowler is Co-CEO of AMPLIFY Girls, supporting a network of organizations focused on adolescent girls' agency across Africa.
Zach Carpenter leads The Kilgoris Project, expanding access to quality primary education in rural Kenya.