Impact Area
Equip Individuals and Communities to Shape Their Futures
We believe that lasting change happens when individuals and communities drive the solutions to their challenges.
We support individuals and communities through strategic investments in education, leadership development, skills enhancement, and local organization strengthening—enabling them to succeed on their own terms.
We work with governments, civil society, and communities to create conditions for people to thrive. Our wide-ranging programs include building skills that increase livelihood opportunities; helping communities strengthen natural resources management; building local capacity for violence prevention; supporting and connecting emerging leaders; expanding women’s entrepreneurship; and promoting reading and critical thinking for young children. These initiatives build resilience and equip people to shape their futures.
Featured Programs
Equipping Women Workers with Advanced Skills
We help women garment workers in Bangladesh build skills and access services and support to adapt to technological and environmental change in the industry.
Protecting Indonesia’s Forests and Communities
Indonesia’s forests are critical to the national economy and rural households, and we help local communities protect forests, strengthen land rights, and build sustainable livelihoods.
Leadership and Exchanges
Investing in leaders driving change across Asia and the Pacific
Let’s Read
Creating supportive reading environments where children can access free, relevant books and engaging learning opportunities.
Strengthening Education Systems for Better Learning
The Philippines is working to address one of the region’s most significant learning crises while modernizing education governance. Supported by the Australian government, the Realizing Efficient Governance and Streamlined Reforms in Education program supports the Philippine government in its efforts to address childhood reading and math deficiencies and improve the education system.
Featured Publication
Studies Linking Foundational Learning and Education Governance
This four-study series, supported by The Asia Foundation, EDCOM II, and the Australian Government, examines how governance, teacher development, and early childhood systems can work together to strengthen the foundations of learning, with particular attention to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, where cultural and postconflict realities require context-sensitive approaches.