Our Work
In the development world, the choices are often to work 'at the bottom of the cliff' with those directly affected by ineffective policies and unfair practises or to work 'at the top of the cliff' to help prevent them occurring in the first place.
The Commonwealth Foundation works primarily at the top of the cliff where it can bring about significant change and positively influence the lives of many in the long term. Friends help us in this work.
The Foundation and its partners work across a range of issues.
Here are just some examples of what the Foundation and its partners have achieved in the past...
Many local people in Sierra Leone didn't have any say about how aid money was being spent in the country. Much of it wasn't being used effectively.
To help find a solution, the Commonwealth Foundation arranged a meeting between organisations from five African nations before a major conference that looked at heavily indebted poor countries. Morali Kamara, of the 'Network Movement for Justice Development' said 'the meeting really made a difference. Today, a network of organisations independently makes recommendations to government on the ways aid implementation can be improved for the benefit of the poor. Click here to find similar projects.
Malaria continues to kill hundreds of thousands across central Africa often through simple lack of awareness and ignorance. A number of organisations, including the Commonwealth Foundation and Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association, and public and private sector partners, combined their skills and resources to produce simple multi language malaria fact cards for use by pharmacists to help raise awareness of the disease and promote prevention. The cards have been warmly welcomed and continue to be used extensively. Click here to find similar projects
Many women in very poor societies simply don't have a voice to communicate their situations. For some the simple act of opening a bank account is impossible.
Women in Trinidad and Tobago have helped start up a bank and a micro finance scheme, thanks to the Commonwealth Foundation, which brought them and a similar scheme from Nigeria together. Now more women in Trinidad and Tobago are able to send their children to school, or save to start small home based businesses, increasing their self sufficiency and quality of life. Click here to find similar projects.
To find out more about the Foundation's work in the areas of:
Governance and democracy - click here
Improving peoples health and well being
Particularly in the area of HIV and Aids - click here
Climate change - click here
Increasing access to education
Particularly for girls - click here
Promoting opportunities to share and learn
By taking part and understanding others points of view - click here
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