ACTION PARTNERSHIPS
Despite increased focus within the philanthropic sector on the unique needs of climate, environmental, and land defenders, many frontline communities and grassroots activists continue to face barriers to accessing timely and flexible sources of funding. At the same time, the success of strategic legal and advocacy efforts depends on the ability of frontline communities to be steadfast in their resistance—through protracted legal processes and in spite of an array of threats and risks.
The Action Partnerships program is a trust-based mechanism that offers leading legal and human rights practitioner organizations access to timely, small grant funding for their community partners. This program aims to complement the critical work that our Action Partners are already engaged in by providing additional support to their community allies in areas of security, community organizing, and other similar needs.
WHY IS THIS ADVANTAGEOUS?
EDC can provide timely support to grantees based on trust-based relationships as potential grantees already work with our partners. This means that organizations that may not be eligible for funding from more bureaucratic funding sources can receive support.
Action Partnerships offer a streamlined and efficient process, reducing the burden on Action Partner organizations to match community needs with funder interest on a case-by-case basis. By handling the grantmaking administration, this program allows Action Partner organizations to focus on their core work instead of assuming the operational burden of regranting.
Introduces new grantees to EDC, diversifying the grantees’ sources of revenue and potentially opening the door to additional direct funding from EDC.
“Based on our experience supporting hundreds of environmental human rights lawsuits over the past two decades, we know that the quest for environmental justice typically requires not only a strong legal case, but also the engagement and mobilization of affected community members; the development of campaign and media efforts; and the protection of the brave environmental defenders who stand up for their rights. Unfortunately, local communities and their lawyers often lack the resources needed to undertake these important initiatives. EDLC’s partnership with EDC has enabled several of our local partners to meet these types of needs, thus providing vital support for our collective efforts to safeguard environmental human rights throughout the Global South.”
— Nick Hesterberg,
Environmental Defender Law Center