# Grantmakers launch collaborative to improve global safeguarding practices

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/03/18/grantmakers-launch-collaborative-improve-global-safeguarding-practices/
- Published: 2021-03-18T10:10:54+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Five grantmaking organisations have joined forces to create the Funder Safeguarding
Collaborative – promoting collaboration, listening, and learning among funders and
local civil society organisations to support and strengthen safeguarding practices
both in their home countries and internationally.**

 

The [Funder Safeguarding Collaborative](https://globalfundforchildren.org/funder-safeguarding-collaborative/)(
FSC) Funder Safeguarding Collaborative comprises [Comic Relief](https://www.comicrelief.com/),
[Global Fund for Children](https://globalfundforchildren.org/), [The National Lottery Community Fund](https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/),
[Oak Foundation](https://oakfnd.org/), and [Porticus](https://www.porticus.com/en/home/).

## Advertisement

 

The Funder Safeguarding Collaborative connects funders free of charge to knowledge
and expertise including webinars, discussion forums, a resource library, and working
groups. Tailored, fee-based support, including a training programme, an advice line,
and consulting on everything from policy development to incorporating safeguarding
into grantmaking, is also on offer.

 

In addition, members have opportunities to invest in evidence-based initiatives 
to improve global safeguarding practices, including small grants to local civil 
society organisations to advance approaches grounded in local cultures and realities.
The FSC will support a pilot programme in Uganda and subsequently scale grantmaking
to other countries, taking what it calls ‘a power-shifting approach that fosters
more equitable relationships between funders and grantees’.

 

Global Fund for Children President and CEO John Hecklinger said:

> “Together, we can help ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children, youth,
> and communities we work with around the world. By recognising and amplifying local
> knowledge and practices, and creating a platform for sharing what works, the FSC
> will foster the development of organisational cultures and systems that protect
> young people and others vulnerable to abuse from harm.”

FSC Director Karen Walker-Simpson added:

> “We know that an abundance of knowledge and expertise already exists within civil
> society organisations and the communities they serve. The FSC will act as a catalyst
> for change by creating shared spaces to listen and learn from others and opportunities
> for funders to invest in positive practices.”

FSC membership is open to charitable trusts and foundations, intermediary funders
that dedicate at least 50% of their budgets to grantmaking and grantee support, 
and funder networks that wish to promote safeguarding as part of their work.

 

The FSC will also engage community-based civil society organisations, researchers,
government agencies, and others with expertise in this area, including individuals
with lived experience. These stakeholders will have the opportunity to contribute
to the design of its strategies and services, and to engage in dialogue with members
through webinars and discussion forums. This engagement is part of a broader effort
to shift power in philanthropy and foster trust-based funder-grantee relationships.

 

The FSC is housed within Global Fund for Children, which provides administrative
support and technical expertise to develop and grow the collaborative.