Foundations from around the world attended a three-day meeting in Belfast during the week of July 27, held by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and the Global Fund for Community Foundations. The event was centred around the theme of #shiftthepower.

Jenny Hodgson, executive director of the Global Fund for Community Foundations, spoke on the impact that she hoped the event would have on its participants.

‘Experience teaches us that we can create sustainable solutions that ease the burden on communities by investing and working with local organisations that understand the context, have already established trust and networks, and seek to build on local agency,’ said Hodgson.

Community philanthropy representatives from across the world visit social justice programmes in east Belfast. Photo credit: Global Fund for Community Foundations.

Visiting community foundations present at the event included the London Community Foundation, which planned to discuss their work in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire; and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF) from Michigan, USA, which planned to share strategies on community engagement as well as the impact that grants have had on the fight against the Flint water crisis.

A variety of topics related to social justice were discussed, including homelessness and gender based violence.

Delegates to the gathering were able to both share their own experiences related to local philanthropy and community engagement, and learn from groups who have brought communities together in Belfast despite ‘division and conflict.’

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