An article published by HIGGS poses a question to foundations that support Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Is it enough to talk about systems change, or do we need to fund it in a way that makes it possible?
A growing field that has not yet converged
Since 2016, interest in “systems change” within international philanthropy has grown steadily, with new networks, tools and discussions around the world. As research shows, most recently that of the Shifting Systems Initiative, the field still lacks a shared definition and a mature methodology. Many foundations have adopted the vocabulary without changing the way they fund.
This has a cost for organisations. When donors talk about systems change but provide small, short-term, tightly restricted grants, they shift the burden of change onto CSOs without giving them the means to achieve it.
What it takes in practice
According to the article, a serious systems approach requires longer timeframes, flexibility and trust in those closest to the problem. For Greece, this means funding should work as an investment in skills, relationships and adaptability, not only as project support. Multi-year grants, flexible budgets and less bureaucracy are not a luxury but a precondition.
The question of power
Referring to a 2023 report by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the article links systems change to questions of power: who defines the problem, who decides and who controls the resources. Approaches such as trust-based philanthropy and participatory grantmaking are part of the same transformation. For Greek foundations, this could mean greater involvement of organisations in designing calls and more autonomy for those who receive funding.
The article also stresses that systems change is not linear. Funders need to tolerate uncertainty and collaborate with each other rather than compete. Organisations, in turn, need more open conversations with their partners. The key conclusion is that language, strategy and funding model must be aligned. Only then will “systems change” become a real way of supporting civil society rather than just a popular term.
Read the full article (in Greek) on HIGGS