ChangemakerXchange @cmxchange

Insights from Equality Changemakers 🌍 In December, we hosted a virtual roundtable with a group of changemakers tackling inequality head-on. They shared reflections and suggestions for tackling inequality based on their experience. Here's a glimpse into the conversation: 🌟 Challenges Changemakers Face: ▪️Systemic Barriers: Gatekept funding, short-term cycles, and power imbalances often limit the capacity of changemakers to drive lasting impact. ▪️Overcoming Privilege: Addressing wealth dynamics and shifting the focus from “winning the wealth game” to questioning it. ▪️ Sustainability: Burnout and the challenge of securing resources for long-term impact remain persistent issues. ▪️Root Causes vs. Symptoms: Many projects focus on symptoms rather than dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality. 💡 Solutions to Deepen Impact: ✅ Co-Creation: Move beyond “funder-driven” projects to collaborative frameworks that genuinely build stronger systems. ✅ Invest in Capacity Building: Empower changemakers through mentorship, training, and financial resources. ✅ Community Building: Facilitate connections between grassroots changemakers and influential stakeholders to bridge divides. ✅ Systemic Advocacy: Focus on shifting systems, not just providing aid—building a more equitable world demands innovation and collaboration. ✅ Shared Experiences: Encourage funders to develop experiential, not just theoretical, understanding of inequality. A special shoutout to the Wealth Inequality Initiative by Julius Baer Foundation for their unwavering support and dedication to listening, learning, and collaborating for systemic change. Together, we’re rethinking philanthropy to make it truly equitable, impactful, and inclusive. This is only the beginning—stay tuned as we continue this journey to drive real, lasting change! P.S. What challenges or solutions resonate with you? Feel free to continue the conversation in the comments.👇 #JuliusBaerFoundation #ChangemakersForEquality #SocialImpact #CollaborativePhilanthropy #WealthInequality #GlobalEquality #cmxchange

changemakerxchange.org/2024/12/19/cha…

If we were to define 2024 in one word, it would be FULL. Full of moments that inspired us, tested us, and strengthened our commitment to supporting changemakers around the globe. 🗺️ While this fullness brought inspiration, it also marked a year heavy with challenges. From climate crises to wars, disruptions have deeply impacted communities worldwide, including members of our own. As we hold the fullness of this year—its inspirations, its challenges, and everything in between—we pause to reflect and appreciate how far we've come together. We've captured these reflections and more in our End-of-Year Blog post, and we invite you to read it (link in the comment section). If you're reading this, thank you for being a part of this journey. Your presence and contributions mean more than words can express. We wish you happy holidays and a happy new year in advance. 🧡💜

This partnership is part of a growing wave of facilitation collaborations in which we introduce the ChangemakerXchange philosophy to new organisations and environments. We’re thrilled to see these efforts progress, and exciting developments are lined up for 2025!

📌 The youth climate movement becomes significantly stronger when it embraces underrepresented perspectives and reflects the diversity of those most impacted by the climate crisis. With that vision in mind, we’re thrilled to spotlight our partnership with @soskinderdorf on their Eco-Champions Programme! 🌍💚 This meaningful, four-year collaboration brings together ChangemakerXchange's expertise in supporting young changemakers with @soskinderdorf's extensive experience in youth participation and empowering children and young people from vulnerable or alternative care backgrounds. This year, we were honoured to serve as an advisor on programme strategy and as a facilitation partner for the Eco-Champions Programme, which is building the capacity of 25 young climate changemakers and their youth workers from Somalia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Namibia, Jordan, and Nigeria. 🌱✨ A huge congratulations to the dream facilitation and project team from both CXC and SOS CVI: Ingi Mehus, Mutetelenu Kalama, Ghizlane Akourim, Sharon Migariza, Ulla Riedle, Alena Dietl, Arianna Tripodi and many more! 📸 Beautiful photos by Alea Horst. #SOSCVI #EcoChampions #EcoChampions #ClimateChange #cmxchange

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International Migrants Day highlights the vital contributions of migrants worldwide. Protecting their rights and dignity means addressing humanitarian needs, advancing sustainable development, and fostering solidarity to uphold our shared humanity. Our community member, Hugo Menino Aguiar is the co-founder of SPEAK—a global platform for language and cultural exchange. In this short interview, we asked him: 'What approach has been most impactful in helping migrants feel supported, included, and empowered to thrive in their new communities?' Check out the visuals for his full response. #SPEAK #InternationalMigrantsDay #HugoMeninoAguiar #Migration #Culture #cmxchange

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This year, we asked some of our community members: “What is one lesson you've learned from your fight for human rights that could help create a more just and equitable world?” You can explore the visuals to see their responses. #WorldHumanRightsDay #UDHR #HumanRights #cmxchange

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Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now. World Human Rights Day marks the historic adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly—a profound reminder of our shared commitment to dignity and respect for all, regardless of background or circumstance.

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Every December 3rd, we commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) fact sheet published last year, an estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disabilities, representing 16% of the world's population—or 1 in 6 individuals globally. We turned to Manel Bargaoui, our community member and an inclusive education advocate, to gain insights into this year's theme on amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. As the founder and director of LET'S Inclusive School—the first online inclusive school in Tunisia and the MENA region—and the first English language teacher for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the region, she brings a unique perspective to our question: "How can we better support and amplify the leadership of persons with disabilities to ensure their perspectives shape an inclusive and sustainable future?" Check out the visuals to read her insights. #ManelBargaoui #LETSInclusiveSchool #IDPWD #PWD #cmxchange

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We recently had the pleasure of interviewing her, during which she shared valuable insights on her journey, the challenges she has faced, advice for young changemakers looking to create lasting impact and much more. Check out the visuals to see her full response. #MariamAlSaad #AlManakh #Kuwait #Sustainability #AlSayerAchievementAward #ClimateAction #cmxchange

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Congratulations to our community member, Mariam AlSaad (founder of AlManakh), on winning the Al-Sayer Achievement Award for her outstanding work in sustainability and climate action in Kuwait.

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Changemakers Lunching Together 🍴 Good food, great company, and fruitful conversations at COP29 last week—because changemaking happens at the table, too! 🥗✨ Photo & Video credit: Oliver Rieche #COP29 #ChangemakersUnite #ClimateAction #GoodVibesOnly #ChangemakerLunch #cmxchange #CXCatCOP

#COP29 #BiodiversityDay #ClimateAction #BiodiversityDay #OliverRieche #Balance #BalanceEco #CXCatCOP

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Biodiversity Day at COP29: Key Highlights with Oliver Rieche 💡 Biodiversity took centre stage at COP29, and Oliver Rieche, Director of Legal Affairs, Carbon Procurement & NDC Partnership at Balance, shared key takeaways from the discussions. Swipe through to explore these insights and see how COP29 is shaping the future of biodiversity action! #COP29 #BiodiversityDay #ClimateAction #BiodiversityDay #OliverRieche #Balance #BalanceEco #CXCatCOP

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Advocating for nature-based solutions in the fight against plastic pollution and climate change At COP29, Ola Alhaj, CEO and Founder of the youth-led RECO project, shared her key takeaway on the importance of nature-based solutions (NBS) as tools and catalysts for sustainability. Ola highlighted the example of transitioning from synthetic fishing gear to nature-based alternatives to tackle plastic pollution, showcasing how these solutions can significantly reduce plastic waste and usage. She reflected on the diverse perspectives shared by participants on implementing NBS in their countries, as well as challenges like scalability and meeting population needs. The consensus from the session? Nature-based solutions are essential for achieving true sustainability. #COP29 #ClimateAction #NatureBasedSolutions #OlaAlhaj #RECOProject #Sustainability #PlasticPollution #CXCatCOP

Moments from COP29 with Fella Bouti 💚 A glimpse into the energy and action-packed days at COP29. While the journey toward meaningful climate action continues and much work lies ahead, hope and determination remain strong. Fella is one of our members participating at COP29, CEO of EcoTashira, driving sustainable solutions and specialising in eco-friendly vertical gardens that reimagine urban spaces. We have a few more shares from COP29 coming in the next few days, so stay tuned! 🙌 #COP29 #ClimateAction #FellaBouti #EcoTashira #CXCatCOP

Violence against women is a significant barrier to achieving equality, development, peace, and the full realisation of women’s and girls’ human rights. Ending this violence is essential to fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promise to leave no one behind. Sharon Migariza is a legal advocate and the founder and Executive Director of Leaders for Action and Development in Africa (LADA), which is dedicated to empowering women and youth in Kenya through innovative programmes addressing sexual health, gender-based violence, and economic empowerment. In this short interview, we asked her what innovative approaches she has seen or implemented that accelerate gender equality and empower women and girls in communities affected by violence. You can find her full response in the visual. #SharonMigariza #LADA #OrangeTheWorld #16DaysOfActivism #IDEVAW #NoExcuse #cmxchange

NDCs and Carbon Markets: Oliver Rieche’s Work at COP29 At COP29, Oliver, Director of Legal Affairs, Carbon Procurement & NDC Partnership, shares how he’s collaborating with governments to achieve their climate goals through biodiversity-focused, impactful projects. From partnering with governments on reforestation to linking carbon markets with biodiversity and local empowerment, Oliver emphasises the importance of moving away from carbon offsetting to make these systems free from greenwashing. Follow @olirieche for more sustainability insights! 💡🌿 #COP29 #ClimateAction #NDCs #CarbonMarkets #Sustainability #Biodiversity #OliverRieche #CXCatCOP

Collaboration for Climate Journalism 📝 At COP29, the Arab Network for Science Journalism, in collaboration with Climate School, hosted a session titled “The Horizon of Cooperation between Media Institutions on Climate Change Issues.” Rahma Ibrahim, founder of Climate School, highlighted the critical role of collaboration and networking among media institutions to better support Arab climate journalists. The session wrapped up with actionable recommendations: 🌟 Launching an annual regional award to celebrate and motivate Arab climate journalists. 🌟 Establishing an annual networking forum for journalists and supporting institutions, rotating across Arab countries. 🌟 Creating an annual fellowship to empower Arab journalists to cover major international events like COP. #COP29 #ClimateJournalism #RahmaIbrahim #ClimateSchool #ArabNetworkForScienceJournalism #CollaborationForChange #CXCatCOP

Inside COP29: Practical, Inclusive, and Nature-Driven Climate Action! 💡 Meet Oliver Rieche, Director of Legal Affairs, Carbon Procurement & NDC Partnership at Balance, as he breaks down the key themes of COP29—from equitable just transitions to innovative carbon market solutions. #COP29 #ClimateAction #OliverRieche #Sustainability #NatureBasedSolutions #CarbonMarkets #Balance #BalanceEco #JustTransition #CXCatCOP