“Let us replace extraction with exchange, hierarchy with humility, and rigid control with relational trust.” Nana Afadzinu, WACSI
Voices from the South: What can INGOs and funders do to shift power? is a bold, multi-regional study that surfaces perspectives from civil society actors across West and Central Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa, Latin America and Asia. The research was led by West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), in partnership with the Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF), East Africa Philanthropy Network, Social Innovations Advisory and UniDOSC.
On 30th April 2025, RINGO hosted a launch event for the report, hosted by Jimm Chick Fomunjong (WACSI). Nana Afadzinu (WACSI) shared a powerful call to action in her keynote speech and Nancy Kankam Kusi (WACSI) provided an overview of the findings.
In their reflections, Miguel de la Vega (UniDOSC) reminded us that it is the quality of the resources that counts, not just the amount, and Rachel Mwila (ZGF) highlighted the need for mutual respect and trust in our partnerships: we all have value and additional resources should supplement what we are already bringing to the table. As Nana noted, while partnerships with INGOs and funders are valued, they often come with conditions that limit local leadership and suffocate innovation.
Click here for the recording of the launch event
In this moment where the international development sector is experiencing unprecedented shifts, it is crucial that local and national civil society organisations in the majority world shape the global discourse as we seek to transform the system.
At the launch event, Nana shared her takeaways from the report:
Key Insights
- Too Much Reliance on External Aid, Too Little Local Power. 63% of local CSOs still depend heavily on international funding. This reliance creates real risks, limits their independence and undermines sustainability.
- Funding Terms Are Often Inflexible and Complex. 91% of CSOs say it is hard to secure international funding. Grant applications are time-consuming, reporting is cumbersome, overhead costs are not given adequate support and conditions are often non-negotiable. One respondent said, “Donors come with pre-packaged conditionalities. You either take it or leave it.” That is not partnership, that’s power imbalance.
- Accountability and Risk Are Not Shared Equally. Less than 25% of CSOs say they share risk with donors or INGOs. Many do not know how risk is even defined in their partnerships. Yet over 80% say the behaviour of funders has a strong impact on their programmes, sometimes stalling projects, or worse, forcing unanticipated changes.
“We are at a pivotal moment that calls not for incremental change, but for a bold reimagining of how power flows in the aid and development ecosystem.” Nana Afadzinu, WACSI
Key Recommendations
- INGOs and funders must let go of rigid control: Build partnerships based on trust and support organisations with flexible, multi-year and unrestricted funding.
- Success should not be measured solely by log frames or donor metrics: Let communities define what change looks like.
- Risk should be managed together, not passed down: That includes timely disbursements, support during crises, and funding that covers core operational needs.
- INGOs and funders need to re-orient their cultures, starting from the top: Board members must become stewards of equity, not just compliance.
- Effective change begins by truly hearing what partners are saying: Not just with surveys but with action.
A Call to Action
Voices from the South 2 is not just a report, it is a mirror and a compass. It reflects the realities of a system where well-intentioned actors often unknowingly perpetuate dependency, exclusion, and imbalance. But more importantly, it points us toward what is possible when we choose to do better.
“To INGOs, funders, and all of us working in this space: the time for statements of intent has passed. Now is the time for action, measured not in reports, but in relationships, resources, and results that reflect true equity. This is our moment to disrupt, to rebuild, and to reimagine.” Nana Afadzinu, WACSI