The trajectory of Humanize is guided by the creation of partnerships, for collective and coordinated work which is part of our strategic philanthropic investment model.
In recent times, we have seen new funding arrangements in collaborative philanthropy, bringing together different actors to leverage initiatives and their potential for impact.
Although the concept of Venture Philanthropy (VP) is not yet consolidated in Latin America, many institutes and foundations in the region are already doing work that absorbs some of the central themes of this form of donor philanthropy.
The concept extends how to conduct strategic philanthropy in the impact ecosystem to support organizations more effectively, considering systematized actions with a long-term vision that enhance positive social and environmental impact; innovative financing mechanisms and support for the institutional development of organizations, in search of scale and sustainability.
It was in 2017 when I first became aware of the work developed by the network of Venture Philanthrophy in Europe. What I saw was very inspiring and "shed light" on what we would begin to do for the planning of the first cycle of Humanize, which was born that year, the result of a process of transition from a family portfolio of Private Social Investment (PSI) to an organization.
Our history began in 2011, supporting initiatives focused on the development of social and biodiversity product chains and other topics such as education, public management, urban planning, social development, culture and professional qualification. Today, we work integrating strategies and articulations to strengthen philanthropy and support entities of reference for the sustainable development of the country, The project is also focused on the issues of impact, public management and sustainable use of natural resources.
In 2018, together with GIFE and other social investors, we brought together leadership and organizations to bring the largest possible number of representatives from Latin America to the annual conference of the European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA) in Poland, recognized as the largest event on the subject in the world. It consisted of 20 representatives from institutions in Brazil, Peru, Chile, Mexico and Colombia. Our delegation participated in several seminars, workshops and debates.
The expressive representativeness of the Brazilian group was important for us to be able to share with other philanthropists, successful experiences such as mixed funding funds and other networks, in a rich exchange of learning. Our participation in this EVPA event was an important milestone to start walking this path of collaborative philanthropy in Brazil, which already brought enriching experiences, but without the awareness that there was a concept and a global network of exchange of experiences. This mission oriented us towards what would be the inauguration of the process of creation and structuring of the network in Latin America, today known as Latimpacto, of which Humanize is a founding member.
Latimpacto rstrengthens the bond of collaboration between organizations in Brazil and the Region, shortens the learning path, challenges us and, above all, inspires us. Although we have very different socioeconomic and political realities in the countries that make up Latin America and the Caribbean, the network promotes the connection between impact investors with common purposes and issuesThe new member, who has not yet been involved with Venture Philanthrophy. A climate change hub has already been created to connect members and investors on the agenda and, more recently, the possibility of working on the Amazon issue has been raised within the network.
We are aware that we will not solve Brazil's problems on our own and we need to that people look in the same direction, pooling resources and skills, taking advantage of the access to knowledge, connections and services offered by this community. We have common challenges and much to learn from each other.
It is important to be clear about how the network positively impacts Brazilian philanthropy and its potential to amplify our voice, attracting and influencing new actors interested in the subject to join us. Every time we tell a story, we open a dialogue to spread the culture of giving.
I believe in the potential for mobilization and construction of this network, which connects different sectors, as a path towards the joint search for solutions to generate a real and sustainable impact, to transform territories and realities.
Georgia Pessoa, executive director of the Humanize Institute and vice president of the Board of Directors of Latimpacto.
