Ecosystem is a widespread term today, having grown in popularity in recent years. Discussions across various fields echo this word as a mantra, from business and technology to environmental science and social justice. There is an urgency and a need to recognise the interconnection and interdependence of complex systems to tackle the intertwined crises we face today. These include climate change, wars, conflicts, rising inequality, or democratic regression.

But does simply labelling something an ecosystem actually make it truly intertwined? How do we make sure we don’t turn this into another empty buzzword?

In principle, adopting an ecosystem mindset means to understand that everything is a living system. This means recognising the potential for evolution and transformation. It is an opportunity to learn from nature, where ecosystems thrive through balance, diversity, and interconnectedness. In practical terms, it encourages a broader perspective, acknowledging the interdependence of all actors in addressing complex issues that are too intricate to be fully grasped or resolved in silos.

Civil society and philanthropy sector too is increasingly adopting ‘ecosystems thinking.’ However, a more deliberate approach is necessary to drive and connect the intricate web of networks, organizations, and resources in this field. Doing so can help build greater equity, more effective collaboration, and increasingly meaningful relationships, ultimately yielding significant impact and more resilience of the sector as a whole.

We believe that solidarity can provide a valuable framework in this regard. Solidarity is a powerful social driver underpinned by cooperation and mutual support based on an awareness of shared interests and objectives (such as promoting social justice, human rights, or protecting the planet). The sense of unity that solidarity creates among diverse actors has the potential to stimulate more inclusive and trust-based relationships. It can enable diverse voices and perspectives, and encourage mutuality, resource- and knowledge-sharing.

Bringing ecosystems of solidarity to life

Integrating a solidarity-driven approach into ecosystem thinking is already happening, and there is much to be learned from emergent initiatives such as Weaving Resilience, Alianza Fondos del Sur, Alliance for Feminist Movements and the Local Leadership Labs (LLL). Despite their differences, they all have a like-minded and multifaceted approach that includes:

1. Investing in ecosystem-building infrastructure such as connectors, catalysts, incubators, grant-makers, enablers and thought leaders, especially at the local level. This allows various groups to stay on the same track together and move in collective formation, engage in shared learning, experimentation, joining up strategies and resources needed to achieve positive change. 

2. Tailoring support and engagement strategies to realities, needs, and aspirations of diverse communities, acknowledging that they are best placed to determine which strategies, approaches, financial and non-financial resources can advance change. It’s also crucial to support the well-being, hope and empowerment of people and the civil society sector.

3. Adopting a power-building lens. This means embracing intersectional approaches designed intentionally to redistribute power, build collective power, and transform power structures. For example, the LLL centres the political power of communities traditionally excluded from quality relations within local systems. It gives lesser-known groups a chance to lead initiatives and access networks, prioritising co-created approaches that unleash collective leadership and shared ownership.

4. Enabling innovation, collective experimentation, learning and action. through inclusive spaces to jointly organize, prototype, experiment, reflect, and share learnings. Whether testing alternative funding approaches, networks of care, operating models, co-creating governance and collaboration modalities, new advocacy strategies or transforming mainstream narratives, there needs to be freedom to take calculated risks. Even if it means experiencing failure along the way.

5. Democratising knowledge production and dissemination. This means investing in mapping, analyses and documenting know-how relevant for each ecosystem. It also requires supporting efforts to curate and widely socialise such knowledge in inclusive and accessible ways.

Calling all ecosystem builders!

Building ecosystems of solidarity requires collective effort. Our call is for all of us to step up with intention. We propose some actions to start today:

Professionals, civil society advocates, and activists can lead by example adopting an ecosystem champion’ mindset. Raise the topic at events, engage with diverse voices, and generously share knowledge for collective learning and solidarity.

Support organisations can create conditions for diverse civil society actors to be an active part of vibrant ecosystems. They can promote collaborations between unusual suspects and include ecosystem-building work in your programs.

Networks and catalysts mayfoster visibility of and connections between diverse actors at all levels, ensure collective action is centred around realities, needs and visions of grassroots movements.

Funders must invest in strengthening the existing–and seeding new when needed–civil society support infrastructure, especially at local and regional levels. They may adopt patient, predictable, and flexible funding approaches. Collaborating with like-minded funders to pursue aligned investments at the appropriate scale is also crucial, with an eye for longer-term sustainability.

Grassroots movements can ensure this work is grounded in community needs, lived experiences, and co-created solutions. They may lead bottom-up approaches that hold supporters accountable to the people they ultimately claim to serve.

Adjacent ecosystems (such as the private sector, governments, and academia) may team-up with civil society and philanthropy. They can do so through mission-oriented partnerships that bridge gaps, share complementary resources and catalyse synergies, investments and action.

The Summit of the Future aspires to lay the blueprint for a new 21st century-fit international cooperation system. Having stronger civil society ecosystems will be essential to ensure that this outcome is underpinned by more robust people participation, centres marginalised voices and catalyses efforts towards a more just, inclusive, and greener future.

The question is: will we rise to the occasion and truly work together in solidarity to achieve lasting change?

Clara Bosco is senior advisor on Civil Society Resourcing with CIVICUS global alliance, and Nadya Hernández is a senior advisor at WINGS.