USAID funding disruptions: What’s next for the international development sector?

USAID funding disruptions: What’s next for the international development sector?

Recorded February 2025: In this episode, Funding With Trust Founder Eve Omala speaks with Sustainable Development Consultant Fiona Byarugaba about the far-reaching consequences of major funding shifts. With USAID’s stop-work order, the UK’s aid budget cuts, and shifting donor priorities, global development is at a crossroads. Key highlights * Across multiple regions, thousands of frontline workers face job losses, threatening essential health programmes. * In Uganda, 2 million people risk losing access to HIV treatment due to reduced funding. * Communities are innovating and adapting to sustain life-saving initiatives despite funding shortfalls. Top insights from this episode 1. Rethink funding models by reducing dependence on single sources. 2. Listen to those on the ground; their solutions are key to long-term change. 3. Build resilience and move beyond reactive policies to lasting impact. This is just the beginning of a series of conversations on how philanthropy can shift from crisis-driven funding to sustainable, community-led solutions. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Send us a note at hello@fundingwithtrust.org and subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations. Resources * Nearly US$60 billion in USAID money is frozen [https://www.hrw.org/the-day-in-human-rights/2025/03/03] * Impact of Stop Work Orders for PEPFAR Programs [https://www.amfar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Impact-of-Stop-Work-Orders-for-PEPFAR-Programs-2.pdf] * What USAID shutdown means for Uganda [https://www.independent.co.ug/what-usaid-shutdown-means-for-uganda/] * 12.6 million Malaria cases reported in Uganda [https://targetmalaria.org/about-us/where-we-operate/uganda/]

Transforming Food Security into Nutrition Security

Recorded August 2024: In this episode, Isabel shares how she went from feeding one homeless man in Brussels to founding Solid’Africa, a movement tackling hospital nutrition in Rwanda. She talks about overcoming funding barriers, rejecting top-down philanthropy, and proving that food is medicine. Key highlights * More than 3 billion people in the world can’t afford to have a healthy meal. * Solid’Africa started by feeding 5 people in 2010 and now serves over 15,000 meals a day and is expanding its impact beyond hospitals into schools and farming cooperatives. * The right funders support, not control. A super funder is someone you can call in a crisis, without fear of judgment. Our favourite quotes from this episode * ‘Not all money is good money. It was always clear that we always wanted to shift the conversation from food security to nutrition security.’ - Isabel Kamariza * ‘Food is medicine. It’s not just about filling stomachs, but healing bodies.’ - Isabel Kamariza * ‘You don't need grand gestures to drive change, you just need to start somewhere, with one person’ - Isabel Kamariza We love hearing from our listeners, so if you have any thoughts or feedback on this episode; send us a note at hello@fundingwithtrust.org. Remember to subscribe and stay updated with more stories of impact!

Transforming Education in Malawi

Recorded September 2024: In this episode, Willie Mpasuka, founder of Rays of Hope Malawi, shares his inspiring journey of turning a small grassroots organisation into a transformative organisation that now improves the learning outcomes of thousands of disadvantaged children. Willie offers invaluable insights into how locally-led organisations have the potential to drive large-scale social and economic change, if supported. Kindly note that this episode was recorded on location, so you may hear some background noise. We keep these conversations brief out of respect for our guests' busy schedules. Key highlights * Local communities should not be viewed as passive recipients of aid but as active participants in designing and implementing development projects. * Building trust-based relationships between donors and grassroots organisations is critical to driving more sustainable outcomes. Our favourite quotes from this episode * “Grassroots organisations are the lifeblood of communities. They understand local needs better than anyone else because they live in them every day.” - Willie Mpasuka * “We can’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Development must be context-specific and community-led to make a lasting impact.” - Willie Mpasuka As always, if you have any thoughts or feedback on this episode; send us a note at hello@fundingwithtrust.org. Remember to subscribe and stay updated with more stories of impact!

Bridging Healthcare Gaps in Uganda

Recorded May 2024: Our guest, Pauline Picho, Executive Director of Nama Wellness Center (NAWEC) in Uganda, shares how her organisation is transforming healthcare access in some of Uganda’s most underserved communities. In this episode, recorded on location, Pauline gives us a snapshot of how Nama’s Community Health Workers (CHWs) are closing the healthcare gap for thousands of families.  Kindly note that this episode was recorded on location, so you may hear some background noise. We keep these conversations brief out of respect for our guests' busy schedules. Key highlights * Only 53% of Uganda’s population resides within a one-hour walking distance of a health center. Nama Wellness Center is actively addressing this disparity in Mukono District. * Nama Wellness Center treats over 1,500 patients daily and reaches 9,000 babies in the community through its extensive network of CHWs. * Nama’s CHWs are critical in promoting safe childbirth. Thanks to their efforts and partnerships with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), 95% of women in the area now deliver in health facilities (up from 88% at baseline). * TBAs are incentivised to refer mothers to hospitals, contributing to the region’s improved maternal health outcomes. Pauline also talks about Nama’s challenges with scaling their programs, government collaboration, and the vision for a specialised maternal and child health hospital. Correction: At the 10:31 - 10:36 mark, it was mentioned that Traditional Birth Attendants are paid $2 per month. The correct figure is $10 per month.  Our favourite quotes from this episode * "Community health workers, if well-trained and supported, can truly serve a large part of our community and bridge the gap between the community and health facilities." - Pauline Picho * "My motivation comes from the smile on a mother’s face when she delivers safely." - Pauline Picho Do you have any thoughts or feedback on this episode? Send us a note at hello@fundingwithtrust.org. Remember to subscribe and stay updated with more stories of impact!

Funding Local Development: Why Localisation Matters

Recorded April 2022: In this episode, our guest, Anubha Rawat, the Projects Director of DAK foundation, a funder that supports locally led development initiatives in Africa and South Asia. Anubha shares her background working in the development sector and how she became passionate about funding local organizations that are often overlooked by mainstream donors. She also talks about the challenges and opportunities of working with locally led organizations, such as building trust, providing capacity building, and understanding their context and needs. Anubha also gives us some insights into her experience of conducting site visits in Africa and how she approaches them with respect and curiosity. She emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to the organizations and giving them time to respond, rather than imposing preconceived notions or expectations. She also shares some tips for funders who are planning to visit their partners on the ground and how to make the most of their interactions.