Forus has officially joined the global movement to #StandWithCivilSociety — a campaign calling for real commitment to local civil society amidst funding cuts and growing systemic challenges.

As civil society faces mounting pressures worldwide — from political restrictions to the abrupt withdrawal of international funding — Forus is standing shoulder to shoulder with other organisations, networks, and activists to demand meaningful change. This collective action aims to hold funders and policymakers accountable and to catalyse a bold transformation of the aid and development system.

The campaign, launched by a coalition of civil society leaders and networks, urges the international community to:

⭐ Support local civil society to chart a path towards greater independence, agency and power
⭐ Reimagine a new system with us
⭐ Build a new culture of global solidarity

The open letter  calls out the top-down, trust-eroding dynamics of current funding structures. It highlights that local communities cannot be treated as afterthoughts in a global development system that claims to serve them.

Forus joins other organisations including CIVICUS, WACSI, NEAR, Adeso, Peace Direct, Pledge for Change, MCLD, RINGO, and the Global Fund for Community Foundations in this campaign. 

📢 Read and sign the open letter today: standwithcivilsociety.org

🔗 Follow the campaign and join the conversation:

• Find the social media package

• Instagram: @forusinternational

• LinkedIn: Forus International

• Hashtag: #StandWithCivilSociety