The African Youth Philanthropy Network (AYPN) held its 3rd Leadership Conference in Accra, Ghana on 27th- 29th November, 2022. The conference brought together Sub-Regional Leaders, AYPN Secretariat Team and AYPN Co- Hosts Partner Teams to a round table discussion on strategies to contribute to youth philanthropy growth and improve the culture of giving among next-generation philanthropists in Africa The AYPN Leadership Conference (ALC) 2022 is part of the initiative themed, “Unleashing Young People to Lift Up Philanthropy” launched to enhance youth- led philanthropy contributions towards the achievements of the SDGs. By strengthening the African Youth Philanthropy Leadership through peer learning, mentoring, and networking, this conference led to the development of strategic plans and innovative technology platforms for growing the network and connecting to donors across the regions. The 3rd ALC was jointly hosted by AYPN Co-convening partners, GADeF International and PEN Tanzania and the AYPN Secretariat with support from WINGS in partnership with Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI), East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN), Giving Tuesday Ghana, Philanthropy Ghana and Centre for Strategic Philanthropy and Social Investment (CESPSI). Characterized by round table discussions, group work and presentations, the conference brought together 30 participants including members of AYPN in West Africa. Outcomes of the conference included developing an AYPN 4-year Strategic Plan (which focused on 4 Pillars-People, Participation, Policy and Practice), Partnerships and Communication strategy as well as establishing working groups (Communications, Fund-raising & Grants, Membership & Partnerships and Innovations & Projects) to support the Secretariat work at the five (5) sub-regional levels. The first goal under AYPN Thematic area Education and Learning is to build a strong competent and collaborative youth philanthropy at national, regional and global level Secondly, under the thematic area advocacy and leadership, AYPN will act as credible voice and foster an enabling environment for youth philanthropy at national, regional and global level. Thirdly, under the Innovation, Knowledge Generation and Dissemination, AYPN will serve as a Hub for knowledge, innovation and incubation issues related to social entrepreneurship and youth philanthropy The fourth goal under the Sustainability thematic area is to develop and consolidate a solid regional and national community membership based and resource mobilization During the last day of the ALC, all the participants joined the 3rd Ghana Giving Summit 2022 organized by Philanthropy Ghana, West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and Star Ghana. The summit attracted key personalities such as Dr. Ben Ocran from Ghana Philanthropy Forum and Reverend Dr. Christian Tsekpoe from the Strategic Philanthropy and Social Investment (CESPSI) at Pentecost University, Dr Kofi Osei-Kusi from Osei Kusi Foundation and other members of the Giving Tuesday Ghana movement. Read more about AYPN here www.africanyouthphilanthropy.org/young-people-develop-strategies-to-lift-up-philanthropy-in-africa/ About AYPNThe African Youth Philanthropy Network (AYPN) is an ecosystem of African youth philanthropists, impact investors and social entrepreneurs that is dedicated to supporting youth-led developmental initiatives in the continent, setting the agenda for youth philanthropy and development in the continent About GADeF InternationalGADeF International is a community of exceptional young people and emerging leaders who are passionate about philanthropy, impact investment, innovation and technology for systems and community transformation Contant Us Angela R.N.A. NunooPrograms Lead, AYPNangelan@africanyouthphilanthropy.org
Philanthropy Ghana hosts Maiden Women in Philanthropy Quarterly Partners Meeting
On Tuesday August 15, 2023, Philanthropy Ghana hosted the maiden Women in Philanthropy Ghana (WiP-Ghana) quarterly partners meeting. The meeting was organized for partners to develop an awareness campaign plan for the WiP-Ghana initiative. The discussion focused on the potential question people might ask about WiP-Ghana and the awareness campaign activities. Through a participatory group work, the partners agreed to launch the campaign on social media with TV and Radio Talk-shows, roadshows at various Universities and exhibitions at various women events in Ghana. The participants also identified the key organizational development priorities for the WiP-Ghana initiative which included the development of Theory of Change, development of communication strategy and capacity building for the WiP-Ghana focal persons and ambassadors The meeting was facilitated by the Head at Centre for Strategic Philanthropy and Social Investment (CESPSI) at the Pentecost University, Mr. Emmanuel Marfo (PhD Candidate) with support of Jodie Hanson-Nortey, a Ghanaian philanthropic professional currently working in the USA. At the partners meeting, the new WiP-Ghana Coordinator, Benedicta Asamoah (2021 Ghana’s Most Beautiful Beauty pageant Winner popularly known as Sarfoa) was introduced. WiP-Ghana has over 60 members in the 16 regions of Ghana and Diaspora . AYPN-Ghana is a founding member of Philanthropy Ghana. Philanthropy Ghana is a community of philanthropy support organisations (PSOs), philanthropy enablers and funders promoting and growing philanthropy in Ghana. Philanthropy Ghana is registered with the Registrar General Department on 21st May, 2020 in Ghana. The mission of Philanthropy Ghana is to provide leadership for local philanthropy and social investment in Ghana and support local giving, inspire more giving and build sustainable philanthropy ecosystem, and adopt and utilize technology and data to increase the sector effectiveness. It is envisioned that the coalition will organically increase and build the constituency of the philanthropic sector, and grow philanthropy to be recognised as a credible agent of delivering national development in Ghana. Giving Tuesday Ghana, NEXUS Ghana, GADeF Ghana Alliance, Women in Philanthropy Ghana(WIP-Ghana) and the African Youth Philanthropy Network(AYPN)-Ghana are the founding members of Philanthropy Ghana. Currently, the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy and Social Investment (CESPSI) is providing technical support for Philanthropy Ghana operations.
African Youth in Philanthropy and the AGN Conference
The African Grantmakers Network (AGN) held its third Biennial Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania on 1st-3rd July, 2015. Themed “Philanthropy in Africa 2015 – People, Policy and Practice”, it brought together leaders in the field to discuss actions that will contribute to and sustain the growth of African economies. The program focused on incorporating contributions from by critical constituencies such as women and youth. To this end, the first African Youth in Philanthropy Conference was hosted before the event by WINGS member Global Alliance for Development Foundation, and Nexus Africa.Considering all the eligible candidates across the African continent, we were deeply honoured to be invited to attend the first African Youth in Philanthropy (AYP) Conference which took place at The Palace Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania on 29th June 2015. Our biggest discussion points centered around defining philanthropy. We believe that Africans call philanthropy by many names. It is part of our heritage, our culture, our value systems and way of living as African people – even so, we may never categorize ourselves or what we are doing as “philanthropists” or “philanthropy”. Does it matter? During my time at the AYP Conference and later the African Grantmaker’s Network biennial assembly what I strived to highlight was that making this connection between myself and philanthropy has afforded me the opportunity to deepen my giving. As the delegates and friends of the AYP Conference 2015 – we want that for our peers and for our continent. We are looking at the growing narrative around African Philanthropy and how we make this an inclusive conversation for the enrichment of all. We also find value in assessing how we can ensure that our new found network is inclusive, particularly for role players active on a grassroots level as well as underprivileged youth. How do we bring them into our spaces and take our spaces to them? As we closed the conference, we gathered delegates from the various regions present and discussed the potential of collaboration post conference. We met a few times thereafter and definitely understood that the side-meetings and self-organized sessions we planned were only the first steps in a long work together. We are currently engaged in developing the AYP mandate and dissecting how we can all get involved in sustaining what has been birthed through the conference. This is an intricate process which we are taking to heart by improving our communication and organizational skills which we believe could have been a bit better this time around. Please be sure that you will hear from us soon and often as we partake in this mufti-faceted journey of equipping and strengthening young Africans in philanthropy and participating in philanthropic work as a collective. Ashleigh Davids is a representative of Southern Africa Trust. Source: African Youth in Philanthropy and the AGN Conference; WINGS 2015https://philanthropyinfocus.org/2015/07/23/african-youth-in-philanthropy-and-theagnconference/
Youth group energizes African grantmakers’ conference
Earlier this month I attended the African Grantmakers Network (AGN) Assembly held at the International Conference Center in Arusha, Tanzania. Arusha is nestled in the foothills of Mt. Meru – often referred to as the ‘little brother’ of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. A daily treat was waking up to the sight of the majestic mountains and the cool crisp morning air tinged with the smoky smell of burning wood. With its very calming vibe, Arusha was a good location for AGN’s third assembly.I have attended every AGN assembly and look forward to it. It is an exciting development in the global landscape of philanthropy. I find it to be a great opportunity to connect with colleagues that I don’t see nearly as often as I would like and to catch up on latest developments in the field. Email, text messages and video chat are good but nothing beats the time spent together. Plus, there are some conversations that you can only have in person! There were several meetings held prior to the AGN Assembly including the African Youth in Philanthropy. The energy of the youth conference certainly did spill over into the AGN meeting. Throughout the conference young people challenged the agenda that was not sufficiently inclusive of them and their interests. The panelists for the session on ‘Harnessing the Power of Young People’ raised important questions about who is included in setting the priorities for African philanthropy, and pushed back on the notion that young people should listen and not voice their opinion about how they view the issues under discussion. During the caucus session on the final day, the young people formed their own caucus on youth in philanthropy that attracted a multigenerational mix of participants. AGN’s theme this year was ‘People, Policy and Practise’ and the program had some dynamic speakers. Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee from Liberia seemed to stir up the air whenever she spoke with a frankness and candor about her life’s journey, both in the opening plenary session and the parallel session on ‘Governance, Peace and Security in Africa’ moderated by the BBC World Service’s Focus on Africa host, Bola Mosuro. Gbowee singled out the African Women Development Fund for its support of women on the continent. The line-up of speakers and panelists was very impressive and the program offered a diverse menu of topics in the parallel sessions and spaces for self-organized caucus groups. The lunchtime and tea break conversations were lively and, as with most conferences, some of the most interesting exchanges happened in the hallways and late into the night at the hotels over dinner and drinks. At the closing session newly elected board chair Bhekinkosi Moyo of Southern Africa Trust made two announcements that signal new developments: Karen Sai was introduced as AGN’s new executive director of the newly named African Philanthropy Network. The AGN – now APN – biennial assembly is an important event and brings together a rich cross section of people who reflect the diverse landscape of African philanthropy. I am looking forward to the next one in 2017, and the continuing discourse on the role philanthropy is – and should be playing – as partners to African communities. Niamani Mutima is the executive director of the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group (AGAG). Source: Youth group energizes African grantmakers’ conference’; Alliance Magazine 2015https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/youth-group-energizes-african-grantmakersconference/