Annual Report 2023: The Future of Philanthropy for Biodiversity

The Future of Philanthropy for Biodiversity project was sparked by a trend identified during the early days of the Future of Conservation NGOs, namely, the need to reimagine investments and philanthropy as a driving force of systems change. The project delved into the intersection of philanthropy and conservation, exploring innovative approaches and ways of thinking that have the potential to bring about positive change for both people and nature.

Innovation

Between 2022 and 2023, the Future of Philanthropy for Biodiversity project explored the possible futures of philanthropy by conducting background research and more than 70 interviews. The inquiry sparked a conversation with a diverse range of stakeholders including funders, academics, activists, donors and leadership in both the philanthropic and biodiversity sectors.

The intention was to delve into shared tensions and root problems that can be unpacked and rethought at the intersection of philanthropy and conservation, including discussions related to power, justice, governance, geopolitics, NGOs, and the wider mobilisation of funding and resources. What emerged from a year of dialogue, interviews and desk research was a series of tension points that philanthropy, of all origins, must urgently confront if it is to embody the role of convener, conduit, catalyst and accelerant of positive change.

Milestones and achievements

In August 2023, Unearthodox, together with diverse partners, facilitated an open-ended and exploratory listening session at the 'Business of Conservation Conference 2023' in Kigali, Rwanda. The session was titled 'Rethinking philanthropy for biodiversity: towards true power balance & community empowerment'. Different voices shared possible futures where philanthropy is transformed and systemic shifts change the power dynamics of mainstream giving in order to enable community-led regeneration of nature.

From left to right: Melanie Ryan, CEO of Unearthodox; Resson Kantai Duff, Portfolio Funding Director, Maliasili; Philip Samura, Former Secretary-general, Fellows of Conservation, African Leadership University; Margaret Rugadya, Senior Programme Officer and Africa Regional Coordinator, The International Land and Forest Tenure Facility

“By revolutionising philanthropy and fostering intergenerational dialogue through value articulation and transformative co-production, I envision a future where young people are recognised as active partners, not merely participants in fulfilling quotas or ticking boxes. In addition to our numeric value, we also contribute our youthful creativity and innovation. This brings fresh perspectives and dynamic ideas into the process. This approach ensures that we are integral to crafting solutions that are not only viable but also vibrant and forward-thinking.”

Philip Samura, Former Secretary-general, Fellows of Conservation, African Leadership University, and speaker in the session organised by Unearthodox titled ‘Rethinking philanthropy for biodiversity: towards true power balance and community empowerment’ for the 'Business of Conservation Conference 2023' Kigali, Uganda

In September 2023, Unearthodox participated in the African Community Conservation Forum in Naivasha, Kenya. The forum was organised around core aspects of power and leadership. Ninety African conservation leaders joined more than 50 of their supporters and partners to connect, learn and discuss power and partnerships in conservation. Unearthodox’s participation was important because it gave us an opportunity to test our narrative and establish valuable connections in the philanthropic and local NGO community, leading to two other participants being invited to our Learning Festival in October for two events, 'Shaping the future of giving' and 'Implementing diversity, equity and inclusivity'.

In October 2023, we published the Future of Philanthropy collaborative inquiry, ‘Perspectives and pathways’. This work gathers diverse perspectives on key questions that get to the heart of how philanthropy impacts biodiversity and how new paradigms could generate the best outcomes for nature, including people. With scene setting by philanthropy historian, Benjamin Soskis, and answers and perspectives by a variety of actors in the biodiversity and philanthropic sectors, this work is framed by six questions and features a range of voices illustrating the many different lived realities that exist right now at the intersection of conservation and philanthropy.

Perspectives and pathways: Six framing questions

During the Unearthodox Learning Festival, the Future of Philanthropy for Biodiversity project hosted ‘Shaping the future of giving’, a session that explored how philanthropy impacts biodiversity conservation, and how it can rebalance its power structures to become more inclusive and generate better outcomes for nature and people. All the outputs from the project's thought-provoking inquiry at the intersection of philanthropy and conservation can be found in the project resource library.

Unearthodox
Learning
Festival

The Future of
Philanthropy for Biodiversity
Resource Library

“Thank you to the team at Unearthodox for giving me the opportunity to reflect on philanthropy, systems change and how this connects to conservation and biodiversity funding. I'm constantly inspired by all the great thinkers and practitioners in our sector who are challenging us to question our own power and to re-imagine philanthropy. I'm especially so excited to see this initiative emerge out of the conservation space, with a truly innovative grounding in what regenerative practices mean for people and planet.”

Eva Rehse, Network and Ecosystems Director at WINGS

Back to the Annual Report 2023